After winning in the second round, Saurav Ghosal was exhausted after a tough match against Scotland’s Lyall Paterson. The Indian probably wanted to take a shower to cool off. But he had more work to do before he could take a break. A group of children, beaming, gathered around him, eager to get clicked with the man who is India’s top squash player. He is clearly idolised by some of the younger fans.
“I’m happy to be of some help,” said Ghosal, a touch modestly. “I do what I can do my own way. It’s gratifying and humbling at the same time to know that children look up to you,” he said, signing autographs for a nine-year-old fan.
Ghosal, made to work hard for points by Paterson, said, “It was a good workout.” He will now play third seed Englishman Peter Barker in the third round on Tuesday. Another Indian, Siddharth Suchde went out to seventh-seeded Australian Cameron Pilley 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7. But not before Suchde stretched Pilley and played a match that had his opponent swearing aloud and shaking his head in frustration. “I’d have liked to win this game but it’s just a matter of experience. Pilley has played at the Commonwealth Games before and this is my first. Now, I’m hoping to perform well in the doubles,” said Suchde.
Sandeep Jangra, ranked 365 in the world, lost 7-11, 9-11, 4-11 to 14th seed Australian Ryan Cuskelly in the first round. Harinder Pal Sandhu made it as far as the second round where he was beaten 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 by eighth seed Australian Stewart Boswell.
{{/usCountry}}Sandeep Jangra, ranked 365 in the world, lost 7-11, 9-11, 4-11 to 14th seed Australian Ryan Cuskelly in the first round. Harinder Pal Sandhu made it as far as the second round where he was beaten 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 by eighth seed Australian Stewart Boswell.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, Dipika Pallikal pulled out of singles with mild fever. Coach Cyrus Poncha said, “She isn’t affected by dengue. We’re hoping she’ll be fit to play the doubles.” 15th seed Joshna Chinappa beat Malaysia’s Sharon Wee 11-1, 11-4, 8-11, 11-4 and will play world champion Nicol David, who made light work of Sri Lanka’s Damindhi Udangawe 11-2, 11-4, 11-2.
Important results: Round 2
Men’s singles: Saurav Ghosal (IND) beat Lyall Paterson (SCO) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7, Cameron Pilley (AUS) beat Siddharth Suchde (IND) 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, Stewart Boswell (AUS) beat Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) 11-4, 11-7, 11-5; Women’s singles: Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt Sharon Wee (MAS) 11-1, 11-4, 8-11, 11-4