India's men's and women's squash teams settle for bronze after 1-2 semi-final losses at Asian Games

India’s men’s and women’s squash teams secured bronze medals at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Thursday, October 1, after both sides were beaten 1-2 in their respective semi-finals.

The men lost their semi-final to Malaysia while the women were defeated by Hong Kong, ending Indian hopes of reaching the gold-medal matches. The men’s side entered the tie as defending champions and had been aiming for a possible meeting with Pakistan in the final; Pakistan had earlier beaten Hong Kong 2-1 to reach the men’s final.

In the men’s semi-final Abhay Singh was tasked with giving India the lead but was outplayed by Eain Yow Ng, who had beaten him in the men’s singles final earlier in the Games, winning 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 in 22 minutes. Veer Chotrani brought India back into contention with a straight-games win over Sanjay Jeeva, 11-4, 11-8, 11-5, taking just 11 minutes. Velavan Senthilkumar won the opening game against Ameeshenraj Chandaran 12-10, but Chandaran responded with 11-6, 11-8 and a 11-9 fourth-game finish to claim a 3-1 victory in 32 minutes; Chandaran’s win provided Malaysia the deciding point as the tie concluded in 1 hour 6 minutes.

The women’s semi-final opened with world No.17 Anahat Singh facing world No.25 Sin Yuk Chan; Anahat took the first two games and led 10-6 in the fourth but was unable to convert four match points, ultimately losing 2-3 (11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-13, 10-12). Tanvi Khanna, ranked world No.73, recovered from a first-game loss to beat world No.40 Ka Yi Lee 4-11, 13-11, 11-9, 13-11, saving game points and overturning deficits across the final three games to level the tie.

Veteran Joshana Chinappa was unable to complete a comeback in the deciding rubber, losing to Ho Tze Lok 4-11, 7-11, 9-11 in 21 minutes; Chinappa trailed by six match points in the third game and saved five before Ho closed out the contest, handing Hong Kong the 2-1 semi-final victory.

India leave Nagoya with two team bronze medals in squash, while the men’s final will be contested between Malaysia and Pakistan after Pakistan’s 2-1 win over Hong Kong secured their place in the gold-medal match.