Nail-biting semi-final thriller: India women’s squash team claims bronze medal at Asian Games 2026

Nagoya: India’s women’s squash team secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 after suffering a narrow 2-1 loss to Hong Kong in a hard-fought semi-final on Thursday.

Anahat Singh opened the tie strongly, taking a tight opening game 11-9 after leading 8-7. The Indian youngster maintained her composure during an 8-8 tie in the second game, scoring three consecutive points to seal it 11-8 and open up a 2-0 lead.

Chan Sin Yuk mounted a comeback in the third game as Anahat temporarily lost momentum, with the Hong Kong player building an 8-4 advantage before taking the game 11-6. Anahat recovered her form in the fourth, surging to a 6-3 lead and earning three match points, but Chan saved all three with precise placement to tie the game at 10-10. Following another missed match point opportunity, Chan was awarded a stroke penalty to force a deciding fifth game.

India then tied the semi-final encounter through Tanvi Khanna, who executed an impressive comeback against Lee Ka Yi, a player ranked 33 spots above her, to claim a 3-1 victory (4-11, 13-11, 11-9, 13-11).

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After dropping the first game 4-11, Tanvi responded by edging the second 13-11. She secured the third game 11-9 before holding her focus through a tense fourth game to win 13-11. The Indian player adopted an aggressive attacking strategy, consistently testing Lee's physical reach. With the score tied at 11-11, Tanvi remained steady during tie-break points to wrap up the match and keep Indian hopes alive.

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However, veteran Joshna Chinappa was unable to complete the team comeback, falling in the deciding tie to Ho Tze Lok 0-3 (4-11, 7-11, 9-11). The 40-year-old Indian battled fiercely late in the match, fending off five match points, but could not overcome the pace of her opponent, the world No. 39, who had dictated play across the opening two games.

The 2-1 victory sends Hong Kong into the final, whilst India complete their campaign with the bronze medal in the women's team squash event.

ANI