Ghosal keeps Indian challenge alive, in last 16

Saurav Ghosal kept the Indian challenge alive in the PSA Squash Masters, beating USA's Julian Illingworth in straight games in the first round on Tuesday.

Saurav Ghosal kept the Indian challenge alive in the PSA Squash Masters, beating USA's Julian Illingworth in straight games in the first round on Tuesday.

HT Image

Ranked 26th in the world, Ghosal beat his lower-ranked opponent 12-10, 11-14, 11-2 in a match which saw him at his best. Though he was tested in the first game, Ghosal got into the rhythm to make sure he breezed through the other two at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.

"I felt a little tight in the first game, but from the second game onwards, my shot placement got better and I settled in," said Ghosal after registering his second victory in three matches.

"The first game gave me the impetus to keep going and I was able to finish the points better to wrap up the match," he said.

Ghosal now faces fifth seed Peter Barker in the pre-quarterfinals on Thursday. The Englishman thrashed Olli Tuominen of Finland 11-4, 11-4, 11-1. Ghosal admitted that getting past Barker, who is currently ranked seventh in the world, would be tough, but is optimistic of a good show.

Seventh seed Daryl Selby of England played a steady game to win 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 against Mohammed Abbas of Egypt.