Key Points
Maharashtra girls demonstrate exceptional squash skills in tournament
Diva Shah overcomes Delhi's top seed in four-game thriller
Eesha Shrivastava wins dramatic five-game battle against Tamil Nadu player
First up was Diva Shah, seeded (3/4), against the top seed from Delhi, Sanvi Batar. Diva rallied strongly after dropping the first game to win 8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-7.
Probably buoyed by this performance, it was the turn of statemate Eesha Shrivastava (3/4) to turn up the heat against the second seed from Tamil Nadu, Vyomika Khandelwal. Beginning strongly and jumping to a two-game lead, Eesha took her foot off the pedal, giving the second seed a chance to claw her way back.
Losing focus at crucial points, Eesha lost the next two close games to set up a keen decider. However, showing good reserves of stamina and also a cool head, Eesha wrapped up the comparatively easy deciding game to emerge a 15-13, 11-9, 9-11, 1-12, 11-6 winner.
In a late men's match on Tuesday, India ace Saurav Ghoshal, representing TN, booked his spot in the semifinals with a facile 11-2, 11-3, 11-6, win over Diwakar Singh of Services.
Today's results:
Girls U-17 semifinals: Diva Shah, Maharashtra (3/4) beat Sanvi Batar, Delhi (1) 8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-7; Eesha Shrivastava, Maharashtra (3/4) beat Vyomika Khandelwal, TN, (2) 15-13, 11-9, 9-11, 10-12, 11-6.
Boys U-19 semifinals: Sandhesh PR (TN) beat Aditya Chandani (Maharashtra) 11-7, 11-7, 11-5.
Men's quarterfinals: Saurav Ghosal (TN) beat Diwakar Singh (Services) 11-2, 11-3, 11-6.
