Boston, Jul 27 (IANS): India recorded two wins in the women's World Junior Team squash championship at Harvard near here Tuesday, defeating France 3-0 and Hong Kong 2-1.
After the morning win over France, the scene was set for what was essentially the decisive match in Pool C against Hong Kong.
Hong Kong took the lead as Tze-Lok Ho beat Aparajitha Balamurukan 17-15 in the fourth in a thriller that had both teams on the edge of their seats and brought players from other courts over to watch at regular intervals.
Aparajitha got off to a slow start and never seemed to recover against Ho, who kept the pressure with her retrieving skills. The Indian played well in the third and had a very close fourth game but Ho edged out Aparajitha.
Indian nerves were settled when Asian Under-19 champion Anaka Alankamony put in an assured performance to demolish Asian Under-17 title holder Ka-Po Ho 11-0, 11-5, 11-3. Anaka was ruthless and won quite comfortably.
Saumya Karki completed the comeback for India, beating Ka-Yi Lee 12-10, 11-8, 11-6. She played some blistering drives and volleys. Saumya kept the tempo for the entire duration.
India next take on Ecuador and are assured of topping Pool C.
The results:
(3) India beat (11) France 3-0: Aparajitha Balamurukan bt Marie Stephan 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7; Anaka Alankamony bt Melissa Alves 12-10, 12-10, 11-6; Saumya Karki bt Julia Lecoq 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 11-7.
(3) India beat (6) Hong Kong 2-1: Aparajitha Balamurukan lost to Tze-Lok Ho 3-11, 8-11, 11-8, 15-17; Anaka Alankamony bt Ka-Po Ho 11-0, 11-5, 11-3; Saumya Karki bt Ka-Yi Lee 12-10, 11-8, 11-6.