Harinder Pal Sandhu storms into final in New Zealand squash tournament

Harinder Pal Sandhu

India’s national champion Harinder Pal Sandhu is in sight of a title after beating the top-seeded Raphael Kandra in four games to reach the final of the $10,000 Christchurch International 2015, a PSA world tour event in New Zealand on Saturday. The Indian won 12-10, 6-11, 15-13, 11-7.

After a tough quarterfinal match where he was tested no end by the Taipei player James Huang, the Indian began to stroke well and rallied and retrieved with considerable control.

The semi-final started on an even note with both players having to do a lot of running back and forth. However, with increasing pace, Harinder was able to get his shots through, at times pinning his opponent to the back and taking control of the forecourt area.

The German was not to give up easily. Aided by a little waywardness from Harinder, Kandra grabbed the second game and put out a resolute fight in the third. But, the Indian was able to dictate the pace and eventually the long fight ended past the hour.

In the final on Sunday, the third seeded Harinder takes on fourth-seeded Declan James of England.