HCL SRFI Jodhpur QF: Indian Representation In Both Events

After a busy third day at the 4th HCL SRFI Indian Tour – Jodhpur Leg, there will be Indian representation in three of the four semi-finals on Sunday afternoon.

Both men’s semi-finals will feature an Indian, with Velavan Senthilkumar continuing his knockout run. After knocking out No.7 seed Hafiz Zhafri in the last 16, the Indian got the better of another Malaysian, in No.3 seed Darren Rahul Pragasam, on Saturday. Senthilkumar won in straight games, including an 11-0 second game, to book his spot in the last four. He will now take on top seed Zahed Salem in the semis on Sunday afternoon after the Egyptian beat compatriot Abdelrahman Abdelkhalek in three games.

The other men’s semi-final will see No.2 seed Abhay Singh take on No.4 seed Ong Sai Hung. The Indian overcame compatriot Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu in the last eight, winning in straight games after clinching a first game tie-break 15-13. Malaysia’s Hung downs Egypt’s Mohamed Nasser to make his way into the semis.

No.3 seed Akanksha Salunkhe will lead Indian hopes in the women’s event. She made it through to the last four in Jodhpur after beating fellow Indian Sunayna Kuruvilla in a five-game battle. She led by two games, but saw her compatriot fight back to send the match into a decider. However, Salunkhe fought through to win in five, and she will now take on top seed Aira Azman in the semis.

The other semi-final in the women’s event will feature No.8 seed Amina Orfi, after the reigning World Junior Champion defeated No.4 seed Tanvi Khanna in four games. The Egyptian lost the first 14-12, but fought back to win the next three games, including the third on a tie-break. Orfi will now take on No.2 seed Cheng Nga Ching in the last four on Sunday.

The semi-finals of the 4th HCL SRFI Indian Tour – Jodhpur Leg will take place at the Lawns of Umaid Bhawan Palace on an all-glass court. The last four in both draws will aim to do battle to reach Monday’s finals in Jodhpur.

Men’s Quarter Final Results: 4th HCL SRFI Indian Tour – Jodhpur Leg
[1] Zahed Salem (EGY) bt Abdelrahman Abdelkhalek (EGY) 3-0: 12-10, 11-2, 11-2 (25m)
Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) bt [3] Darren Rahul Pragasam (MAS) 3-0: 11-3, 11-0, 12-10 (33m)
[4] Ong Sai Hung (MAS) bt [5] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) 3-1: 11-3, 4-11, 11-5, 11-2 (66m)
[2] Abhay Singh (IND) bt Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND) 3-0: 15-13, 11-5, 11-6 (37m)

Men’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, November 20
[1] Zahed Salem (EGY) v Velavan Senthilkumar (IND)
[4] Ong Sai Hung (MAS) v [2] Abhay Singh (IND)

Women’s Quarter Final Results: 4th HCL SRFI Indian Tour – Jodhpur Leg
[1] Aira Azman (MAS) bt [5] Ching Hei Fung (HKG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-9, 11-8 (22m)
[3] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) bt Sunayna Kuruvilla (IND) 3-2: 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-7 (45m)
[8] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt [4] Tanvi Khanna (IND) 3-1: 12-14, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7 (40m)
[2] Cheng Nga Ching (HKG) bt Nour Khafagy (EGY) 3-2: 5-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9 (38m)

Women’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, November 20
[1] Aira Azman (MAS) v [3] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND)
[8] Amina Orfi (EGY) v [2] Cheng Nga Ching (HKG)