Joshna Chinappa wrote a new chapter in the country's squash history when she entered the final of the World Junior Squash Championship, in Belgium.
In her semi-final on Monday, the Indian ace ousted Egypt's Sara Badr 9-6, 9-6, 9-2 in a little under 30 minutes.
In the final, she will play second seeded Raneem El Weleily of Egypt, who beat fourth seed Tenille Swart of South Africa at 4-9, 6-9, 9-5, 9-7, 9-4.
The 19-year-old Joshna, who won all her matches thus far in straight games, had been preparing for the prestigious championship under Dutchwoman Liz Irving since early last month in Holland.
Seeded No. 1 Joshna has never lost to Sara Badr. She defeated the Egyptian on January 7, 2003, for the British Open (Under-17) title and since then beat her thrice in different tournaments.
About Monday's match, Joshna, in an SMS, said she "never rushed" for points and her "efforts to plan for each match considering the strong points of her rivals paid off".
"I am focussed to the extent of winning my matches in straight games and though I yielded some points, I never rushed myself like what I used to do in the previous years," she said.
Joshna's mother Sunita at hand in Belgium to cheer her in the absence of her team-mates, who were not fielded in the event.
Joshna was the first Indian woman to reach the last eight in the World Championship in 2003 at Cairo.
