Couzeix (France), Oct 27 (UNI) Indian squash player Akanksha Salunkhe made headlines on Sunday IST by winning the prestigious 2eme Open International Feminin de Couzeix/Limoges 2024 PSA Challenger title in France.
Ranked 74th in the world, Salunkhe showcased her skill and determination throughout the tournament, culminating in a decisive victory in the final.
Salunkhe, seeded sixth, faced Malaysia’s Yasshmita Jadish Kumar, currently ranked 87th, in the final match. Demonstrating exceptional form, Salunkhe defeated Kumar in straight sets, clinching the match 3-0 with scores of 11-7, 11-7, and 11-6. This victory marks her first PSA World Tour squash title of the year.
The journey to the final was not without its challenges. Salunkhe received a bye in the first round and then progressed to face local player Lauren Baltayan, whom she dispatched comfortably with a score of 3-0 (11-9, 11-4, 14-12) in the second round.
However, the quarterfinals proved more intense as Salunkhe faced Briton Kiera Marshall. Marshall, who had previously ousted the tournament’s top seed Marie Stephan, pushed Salunkhe to the brink before the Indian secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory (11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 7-11, 11-7).
In the semifinals, Salunkhe faced fifth seed Menna Walid of Egypt. Despite a challenging opening game, Salunkhe emerged victorious with a convincing 3-0 win (15-13, 11-9, 11-6), following Walid’s earlier elimination of Salunkhe’s compatriot Tanvi Khanna in the quarter-finals.
Khanna had a commendable run in the tournament, defeating France’s Lea Barbeau and Great Britain’s Asia Harris, the fourth seed, before falling to Walid.
Prior to her success in Couzeix, Salunkhe’s best performance this year came at the ACE Challenger Tour 12k, where she reached the semi-finals. Looking ahead, the talented squash player is set to compete next at the Malaysia Squash Cup, which kicks off on November 12.
Salunkhe’s victory is a significant milestone in her career and a proud moment for Indian squash as she continues to make her mark on the international stage.
