<p>Joshna Chinappa used defeat as a stepping stone in stunning manner to guide India to the final of the Asian Games women’s team squash, defeating the fancied Malaysia 2-0 on Friday.</p>.<p>Joshna, who had suffered a crushing loss in the league match against Hong Kong China on Thursday, put that behind her to script a thrilling win over Malaysia’s eight-time world champion Nicol David. </p>.<p>Riding on that momentum, Dipika Pallikal then brushed aside Wee Wern Low in the second singles as India set up a gold medal clash with Hong Kong China. In the second semifinal, Hong Kong China defeated Japan 2-0. </p>.<p>The Indian men’s team, champions in 2014, settled for bronze this time, suffering a 0-2 defeat to Hong Kong China in the semifinal. </p>.<p>Joshna was in tears after losing to Annie Au Wing of Hong Kong China in India’s 1-2 defeat that set up the clash with Malaysia. The Indian was a transformed player on Friday as she outwitted David 12-10, 11-9, 6-11, 10-12, 11-9 in the vital first singles.</p>.<p>“After yesterday’s match, I was feeling very upset. I spoke to my coach, to my parents. I wasn’t playing the way I should have been playing,” said a smiling Joshna, who had beaten Nicol for the first time at the El Gouna Open in Egypt in April.</p>.<p>“I refocused, went back to the basics, didn’t think of winning or losing. I was only thinking about playing good squash. I wanted to be myself and play good squash — that makes me relaxed and enjoy the game.” </p>.<p>Playing with that positive attitude, the Indian fought back from 8-10 down to pocket the first game and also prevailed in the second. But Nicol, a five-time Asian Games champion, rallied to take the third and fourth, after surviving a match-ball in the fourth. </p>.<p>The decider was closely fought but at 7-7, Joshna edged ahead and wrapped it up on her second match ball to raise the Indian spirits. India number two Dipika didn’t let the advantage slip, despatching Low 11-2, 11-9, 11-7 to complete the upset win. The celebrations were limited to the women’s squad as the men were sent packing by Hong Kong China.</p>.<p>Saurav Ghoshal’s 7-11, 9-11, 11-13 defeat to Lee Ho Hyun in the first singles put India under pressure.</p>.<p>Harindar Pal Singh Sandhu couldn’t convert the chances he had against Au Chun Ming losing 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 3-11, marking the end of the road for India.</p>
<p>Joshna Chinappa used defeat as a stepping stone in stunning manner to guide India to the final of the Asian Games women’s team squash, defeating the fancied Malaysia 2-0 on Friday.</p>.<p>Joshna, who had suffered a crushing loss in the league match against Hong Kong China on Thursday, put that behind her to script a thrilling win over Malaysia’s eight-time world champion Nicol David. </p>.<p>Riding on that momentum, Dipika Pallikal then brushed aside Wee Wern Low in the second singles as India set up a gold medal clash with Hong Kong China. In the second semifinal, Hong Kong China defeated Japan 2-0. </p>.<p>The Indian men’s team, champions in 2014, settled for bronze this time, suffering a 0-2 defeat to Hong Kong China in the semifinal. </p>.<p>Joshna was in tears after losing to Annie Au Wing of Hong Kong China in India’s 1-2 defeat that set up the clash with Malaysia. The Indian was a transformed player on Friday as she outwitted David 12-10, 11-9, 6-11, 10-12, 11-9 in the vital first singles.</p>.<p>“After yesterday’s match, I was feeling very upset. I spoke to my coach, to my parents. I wasn’t playing the way I should have been playing,” said a smiling Joshna, who had beaten Nicol for the first time at the El Gouna Open in Egypt in April.</p>.<p>“I refocused, went back to the basics, didn’t think of winning or losing. I was only thinking about playing good squash. I wanted to be myself and play good squash — that makes me relaxed and enjoy the game.” </p>.<p>Playing with that positive attitude, the Indian fought back from 8-10 down to pocket the first game and also prevailed in the second. But Nicol, a five-time Asian Games champion, rallied to take the third and fourth, after surviving a match-ball in the fourth. </p>.<p>The decider was closely fought but at 7-7, Joshna edged ahead and wrapped it up on her second match ball to raise the Indian spirits. India number two Dipika didn’t let the advantage slip, despatching Low 11-2, 11-9, 11-7 to complete the upset win. The celebrations were limited to the women’s squad as the men were sent packing by Hong Kong China.</p>.<p>Saurav Ghoshal’s 7-11, 9-11, 11-13 defeat to Lee Ho Hyun in the first singles put India under pressure.</p>.<p>Harindar Pal Singh Sandhu couldn’t convert the chances he had against Au Chun Ming losing 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 3-11, marking the end of the road for India.</p>