New York :Joshna Chinappa saw off Egyptian wildcard Kanzy El Defrawy while qualifier Mariam Metwally surprised India’s 13th seed Dipika Pallikal in the first round of the Tournament of Champions squash tournament.
The match held late yesterday evening saw Mariam scripting a straight game win over Dipika with scores of 11-7, 12-10, 11-6.
For Joshna, the other leading lady of Indian squash, it was a positive start. The 15th seed set aside the aspirations of Kanzy but after surviving a scare. Joshna won 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in what proved a tough 59-minute tussle. The Indian awaits a stiffer challenge, as she is drawn to meet fifth seed Omneya Abdel Kawy, another Egyptian.
In the men’s section, Ramit Tandon, who had come via the qualifiers could do little against the former world number one Gregory Gaultier fell in the first round. The French star won 11-4, 11-6, 11-3.
PTI