India began their women’s team squash campaign at the Asian Games with a 2-1 victory over China, while the men’s volleyball team continued its winning run with a 3-0 victory over Hong Kong on Day 9 of the continental showpiece.
India recovered from Shameena Riaz’s five-game defeat to Yin Ziyuan to clinch the squash tie 2-1, with Tanvi Khanna and Joshna Chinappa securing straight-game victories.
Shameena put up a strong fight against Yin before going down 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 14-12.
Tanvi then levelled the tie for India with an 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 win over Zhang Yuning.
Joshna sealed India’s victory with a 12-10, 11-4, 11-6 win against Liu Ziyi.
India will face Japan later on Monday, while Iran are the other team in their pool.
The men’s squash team will also take on China in its opening pool match. Abhay Singh, who won a silver medal on Sunday, has been rested for the team event. Suraj Chand, Veer Chotrani and Velavan Senthilkumar will feature in the three matches.
Meanwhile, India’s men’s volleyball team registered its second consecutive victory after defeating Hong Kong 25-22, 25-19, 25-21 in straight sets.
Captain Jerome Vinith led India’s effort, with John Joseph, Ashwal Rai and Chirag Yadav also making important contributions.
India will face Qatar on Tuesday in a match that could determine the Pool C leaders.
In kurash, Pincky Balhara assured India of a medal after defeating Lim Garam 3-0 in the women’s 78kg quarterfinal.
In compound archery, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru defeated compatriot Sahil Jadhav 149-148 in the men’s individual round of 16 to advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for October 1.
Earlier, Sahil defeated Mongolia’s Jamiyangombo Purevdorj 149-137, while Ganesh edged Indonesia’s Sostar Andaru Rinaldi 144-142 in the round of 32.
India’s Kishore Kumar Anbarasu progressed in men’s shortboard surfing after defeating China’s Ma Wensong 9.86-8.80 in the third round.
However, compatriot Sivaraj Babu bowed out after losing 7.83-11.50 to the Philippines’ Alciso Jayuard.
India’s women’s sepaktakraw team was eliminated after a 1-2 defeat against Japan in the women’s doubles. The Japanese pair won the contest 15-11, 9-15, 15-13.
India’s tennis campaign also got underway, with Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale facing Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina and Yuliya Putinseva in the women’s doubles opener.
Sumit Nagal was still awaiting his singles match, which was delayed due to weather conditions affecting the Show Court.
-ANI
