India finished a disappointing eighth after a 1-2 loss to Hong Kong in the position match on the final day of the girls' team event of the World Junior Squash Championship here today.
Nikita Joshi had held a brief hope of India retaining the seventh place they had finished in the last edition when she squared the tie at 1-1 after Adya Advani lost her first match despite showing fight.
But Nikita's classy show did not pay dividends because Harshit Jawanda could not match up to her superior opponent.
The tough luck for India started for India on Monday night itself when a golden chance of a win over New Zealand slipped away at the doorstep of victory. A win there would have ensured India a fifth or sixth place.
As it happened, with just one point from reaching the goal, it all collapsed like a pack of cards.
The tie score was 1-1 against New Zealand after Harshit Jawanda had won a great match and Adya Advani failing.
Everything then hinged on Akanksha Salunkhe and the Goa girl nearly pulled it off. Akanksha was leading 2-0 and 10-7 in the deciding game of the match when cramps struck her legs. The Indian in severe pain was barely able to move, but clung on bravely only to see her opponent Juee Bhide save three match points to win and painfully grabbing the given opportunity to reel away the next two games as well and give New Zealand a 2-1 victory.
The results: (7-8) India lost to Hong Kong 1-2 (Adya Advani lost to Choi Uen Shan 10-12, 11-9, 3-11, 10-12; Nikita Joshi bt Hiu Kam Hui 13-11, 11-7, 11-8; Harshit Jawanda lost to Ka Wing Ho 8-11, 11-7, 6-11, 7-11)
(5-8) India lost to New Zealand 1-2 (Adya Advani lost to Elanor Epke 10-12, 4-11, 3-11; Harshit Jawanda bt Abbie Palmer 11-9, 11-4, 6-11, 11-13,11-6; Akanksha Salunkhe lost to
Juee Bhide 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 0-11, 3-11).
