Yokohama
Two-time Asian champion Joshna Chinappa of India captured the women’s singles title at the Japan Open 2025 squash tournament on Monday, completing a remarkable run at the PSA Challenger event in Yokohama. The 39-year-old, ranked 117th and unseeded in the tournament, defeated third seed and world No. 53 Haya Ali of Egypt 11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8 in the final.
This was only the second meeting between Chinappa and Haya Ali. Earlier this year, the Indian star had lost to Ali in the second round of the Bermuda Open in a five-game thriller. The Japan Open triumph, however, marked Joshna’s 11th career PSA title, underscoring her enduring class and competitive spirit.
A former world No. 10, Chinappa has been on an inspiring comeback following knee surgery after the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, where she helped India secure a bronze medal in the women’s team event. Earlier this year, she paired with teenage prodigy Anahat Singh to win the women’s doubles title at the Asian Championships and also reached the semi-finals of the Indian Open, falling to Anahat.
At the Japan Open, Chinappa’s road to the title was marked by dominant victories, including a quarter-final win over Egypt’s second seed Nardine Garas 11-8, 15-13, 11-9 and a semi-final sweep against fourth-seeded Rana Ismail 11-7, 11-1, 11-5. She had earlier defeated fifth-seeded Lauren Baltayan 11-7, 11-4, 11-9 in the second round and Malaysia’s Anrie Goh 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 in her tournament opener. With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games, Joshna Chinappa’s performance highlights her enduring prowess and sets the stage for India’s continued rise in the sport.
