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Indian squash ace Saurav Ghosal’s campaign at the $150k Qatar Classic in Doha came to a screeching halt as he exited the PSA World Series event in the first round on Sunday. The World No. 17 went down 7-11, 8-11, 3-11 to 21-year-old Egyptian Fares Dessouki, ranked just one place below him. The match duration was 40 minutes.
For the 29-year-old Ghosal, who won the Kolkata International in September, this was the second consecutive first round defeat after bowing out of the US Open just a few days back. The last meeting between Ghosal and Dessouki, which was at the 2014 US Open, had gone the distance and the India No. 1 would have definitely liked to put up a better fight in Sunday’s contest.
However, Saurav failed to do so and was understandably very disappointed as evidenced by his tweet.
The Indian national champion’s next tournament is the prestigious World Championships, beginning November 13. Saurav faces 20th ranked Ryan Cuskelly in the opening round.
Meanwhile, Joshna Chinappa, who upset the World No. 1 Raneem El Welily in the women’s first round, remains the last Indian standing at the Qatar Classic. She will play her second round against 31st ranked Yathreb Adel on Monday.
