Joshna keeps hopes alive

A fighting Joshna Chinappa kept her hopes alive as the Indian entered the pre-quarterfinal round of the British Open Squash, a PSA World Tour Platinum event being held here. Saurav Ghosal and Ramit Tandon have bowed out of the tournament, though.

Seeded 15 and down below in the draw, Joshna had a bye in the first round but did well in the next late on Tuesday when she downed English challenger girl Millie Tomlinson 12-10, 11-3, 11-9. This is an event where some of the world's best players get to play and to progress is a big achievement. Joshna will face the sixth-seeded Sarah-Jane Perry of England late on Thursday.

However, Ghosal met with an unexpected reverse after a bye in the first round, losing 11-9, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6 to fifth-seeded Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad. Ramit was unlucky to confront the experienced James Willstrop in the very first round and lost 11-8, 11-8, 11-1.