The opening round of the Women’s draw at the Daly College SRFI Indian Open 2025 produced a fascinating mix of hard-fought marathons, dominant displays, and an early glimpse of rising Indian talent.
With matches spread across the traditional courts at Indore’s historic Daly College, the atmosphere matched the intensity on court, as local players began their bids to navigate one of India’s premier PSA Challenger events. While a few international names asserted their authority early, the round also showcased resilience and composure from several Indian players who advanced to the Round of 16 with promising performances.
The day began with a dominant showing from Poland’s Karina Tyma, who swept past India’s Janet Vidhi in a swift 3-0 win (11-2, 11-9, 11-3) in just 21 minutes. Tyma’s balanced game combining tight lines with early volleying allowed her to control the tempo. Vidhi grew into the contest in the second game and came close to pushing it further, but the Polish player’s consistency proved too strong. Tyma’s win sets her up as one of the early contenders in the top half of the draw.
All-Indian Duels Highlight Depth in Domestic Circuit
Several all-Indian encounters provided some of the round’s most competitive squash.
The clash between Anika Dubey and Anjali Semwal captured both tension and momentum shifts. After losing the opening game 7-11, Dubey recalibrated, using better length and improved shot selection to claim the next three games, sealing a 3-1 victory (7-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8) in 35 minutes. Her steady rise through the domestic circuit in recent months was evident in the poise she showed during key phases of the match.
Unnati Tripathi versus Shameena Riaz turned into one of the most gripping contests of the round. The match swung wildly across five games, showcasing both players’ physical endurance and tactical awareness. After trailing early and then recovering in the mid-stages, Tripathi held her nerve in the deciding game to complete a 3-2 win (6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 10-12, 11-7). The 35-minute thriller underlined Tripathi’s increasing confidence at this level, particularly in pressure situations where she matched desperation with composure.
Another standout came from Pooja Arthi Raghu, who battled fellow Indian Sanya Vats in a fluctuating encounter. After taking a 2-0 lead, Raghu saw Vats storm back aggressively to level the match. In the fifth, Raghu regrouped admirably, closing out a 3-2 win (11-6, 11-7, 2-11, 4-11, 11-9). Her ability to recover after losing consecutive games showcased both mental discipline and tactical recalibration.
Rathika and Joshna Deliver Confident Wins
Among the Indian winners, Rathika Suthanthira Seelan was particularly convincing in her straight-games victory over Canada’s Vahbiz Bulsara. Rathika controlled from the start, blending consistent depth with attacking flair as she won 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-5) in just 19 minutes. Her sharp movement and early interception left little room for Bulsara to settle into any rhythm.
Equally composed was India’s veteran star Joshna Chinappa, who made a strong start to her campaign. Playing fellow Indian Nirupama Dubey, Joshna showcased her trademark control and precision to secure a 3-0 win (11-7, 12-10, 11-9) in 22 minutes. While not entirely straightforward Nirupama pushed her in the second and third games—Joshna’s experience allowed her to close out crucial points with clinical execution.
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Her presence in the draw adds both gravitas and expectation, as fans hope for a deep run from the former India No. 1.
International Seeds Stamp Their Class
Two international players delivered emphatic performances to close the round.
Colette Sultana of Malta stormed through her match against India’s Mahak Talati, registering the quickest win of the day in just 10 minutes, dropping only three points in a 3-0 rout (11-2, 11-1, 11-0). Her pinpoint accuracy and superior pace overwhelmed Talati from the outset. Malaysia’s Zoe Foo was similarly assured, powering past Eesha Shrivastava 3-0 (11-2, 11-3, 11-7) in 22 minutes. Foo’s dynamic attacking style and superior court coverage kept her firmly in control throughout.
A Promising Start to an Intriguing Tournament
The opening round of the women’s event at the SRFI Indian Open offered an engaging balance of competitive domestic clashes, emerging Indian talent, and dominant international performances. With players like Joshna, Rathika, and Anika advancing and newcomers like Tripathi showing promise the home contingent enters Round Two with strong representation. The action now shifts toward the business end of the draw, with tougher matchups awaiting.
If the first day is any indication, the Indian challenge will be marked by determination, depth, and a hunger to make an impact on one of the country’s marquee squash stages.
