Asian Games 2014: Indian squash players get off to a good start

Dipika Pallikal

Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa have assured India of a sure medal while Saurav Ghosal a possible second as the quarterfinal stage was reached in the men’s and women’s singles competition on the opening day in the squash event of the Asian Games in Incheon on Saturday.

The Commonwealth doubles gold medalists Dipika, seeded 3/4 and Joshna (5/8) duly beat their first round opponents Gu Jinyue (China) and Song Sunmi (Korea) respectively without much difficulty though it must be said Dipika did concede a game which, according to national coach Cyrus Poncha, was because of a touch of unforced errors. Both the winners now face each other in the quarterfinal.

On the other hand top seeded Ghosal, who had a first round bye, was aggressive from start against Khaleel Ahmad Al Saraj of Jordan for a easy passage into the last eight. However, the sole disappointment for India came through Harinderpal Sandhu who too had a first round bye, but lost to a higher ranked Abdullah Al Muzayen (Kuwait) in straight games in the pre-quarterfinal round.

The results:

Men: Second round – Saurav Ghosal beat Khaleel Ahmad Al Saraj (Jordan) 11-2, 11-4, 11-3;

Harinderpal Sandhu lost to Abdullah Al Muzayen (Kuwait) 4-11, 6-11, 2-11;

Women: First round: Joshna Chinappa beat Song Sunmi (Korea) 11-0, 11-7, 11-7;

Dipika Pallikal beat Gu Jinyue (China) 11-6, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4.