by Ian Marshall, Editor

A busy day, her efforts somewhat overshadowing those of Nigeria’s Sukurat Aiyelbegan, likewise she progressed in the three girls’ singles events.

In the mini-cadet girls’ singles competition they face each other in the title deciding contest; in the cadet girls’ singles penultimate round England’s Ruby Chan is the adversary for Sukurat Aiyelbegan. In the opposite half of the draw Ananya Chande plays Sadiat Alimat Akeem, also from Nigeria.

Ananya Chande is no stranger, neither for Sukurat Aiyelbegan is Sadiat Alimat Akeem; they met in the quarter-final round of the junior girls’ singles event with Sukurat Aiyelbegan emerging the winner (12-10, 11-5, 11-6, 3-11, 11-8). Sukurat Aiyelbegan now faces her toughest task of all, at the semi-final stage, she confronts India’s Diya Parag Chitale, the top seed; she duly booked her penultimate round place in style, accounting for England’s Ruby Chan (12-10,11-5, 11-5, 11-9).

Impressive performances, it was the same in the opposite half of the junior girls’ singles draw where, at the semi-final stage, Ananya Chande opposes Nandeshwaree Jalim from Mauritius. Mounting a recovery, in the round of the last eight Ananya Chande accounted for Ghana’s Matilda Fodu (9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7), Nandeshwaree Jalim ended the hopes of Nigeria’s Rofiat Jimoh (11-4, 11-3, 12-10, 11-8).

Meanwhile, in the junior girls’ doubles final Ananya Chande and Ruby Chan meet Diya Parag Chitale and Nandeshwaree Jalim; in the counterpart cadet girls’ competition they oppose Ghana’s Judith Acheampong and Diana Ekua Opoku in the gold medal contest.

The 2019 Ghana Junior and Cadet Open concludes on Friday 5th April.