HOUSTON (US): Shaurya Bawa became only the second Indian male after Kush Kumar (in 2014) to reach the semifinals of the World Junior Squash Championships.
The 18-year-old from Delhi, seeded 17/32, rallied to beat Malaysia’s Low Wa-Sern 2-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8, 12-10 in the boys’ quarterfinals to assure India of a medal.
In a thrilling clash that lasted 80 minutes, Bawa was down 6-9 and 7-10 in the fifth game but remarkably saved 3 match balls for victory
Bawa showed impressive determination and composure in his semi-final win over Low, fighting back from three match balls down to secure a victory, with the Indian collapsing to the ground after the win as the realisation of his achievement sank in.
He will meet Egyptian top-seed Mohamed Zakaria in the last-four stage.
Meanwhile, compatriot Anahat Singh (seeded 5/8) bowed out in the girls’ quarterfinals for a third straight year. The 16-year-old women’s National champion lost a close five-setter to Nadien Elhammamy, the Egyptian winning 11-8, 11-9, 5-11, 10-12, 13-11.
Elhammamy, who five days ago celebrated her 17th birthday, started well against the 16-year-old Indian, opening up a 2-0 lead as she defended Anahat's attacking game well.
The Indian came back hard in game three, though, reducing the deficit with an 11-5 win in game three and a hard-fought 12-10 victory in game four. Anahat appeared to have completed the comeback when she went 10-8 up in the fifth game, only for Elhammamy to dig in spectacularly to force a tie break.
Anahat earned another match ball at 11-10 but once again was denied by the Egyptian, with Elhammamy storming on to clinch the game 13-11 and the match 3-2.