India crash out of Women's World Team Squash

New Delhi: The Indian challenge in the WSF Women's World Team Squash Championship came to an end on Thursday as Dipika Pallikal and Joshana Chinappa lost their respective quarter-final matches to Egyptian rivals in Nimes, France. It wasn't a walk in the park, but nevertheless it took second seeds Egypt just six games to end the Indian run as wins from Raneem El Weleily and Nour El Sherbini took the 2008 champions into the semifinals of the biennial World Squash Federation event taking place in France for the first time.

Pallikal went down to Weleily 14-16 4-11 7-11 in a marathon battle while Chinappa lost to Sherbini 7-11 6-11 9-11 at the La Parnasse Arena. The third and final game between Nour El Tayeb and Anaka Alankamony was rendered inconsequential. India on Wednesday had created history by booking their maiden quarterfinal berth in the Championship after an upset 2-1 victory over eighth seeds, The Netherlands.

India, who had upset seventh seeds Ireland in their tournament opener before clinching pole position in Pool G with an impressive 3-0 win over Argentina, were taking part in the biennial tournament for the third time only. They had finished 18th in their debut in 2002 and 11th last year. The event boasts of a record entry of 26 nations and is being staged simultaneously at both the eight-court Club des Costieres and La Parnasse Arena where, for the first time ever, action is taking place on three all-glass show courts.

The Indian challenge ended as Dipika Pallikal and Joshana Chinappa lost their quarter-final matches.

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