World Team Squash: India too good for Venezuela

Mulhouse (France), June 12 (IANS)

India outclassed Venezuela 3-0 to top pool H and also confirm their progress to the pre-quarterfinals of the WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship.

Having beaten strong contenders Argentina and Finland on consecutive days, India came into this contest as overwhelming favourties and so it proved as they toyed with the inexperienced Venezuelans in the final pool match up here Tuesday.

Mahesh Mangaonkar was first up on court and raced away to a 2-0 lead dropping just three points on the way to Miguel Vallennilla, but eased off in the third game but still had too much in reserved to brush aside his opponent in just 16 minutes.

Harinder Pal Sandhu was brought back into the squad as Saurav Ghosal was given a day off with an eye on tough battles ahead. Sandhu won the first game with minimal fuss but took the eye of the ball as Gabriel Teran snatched the second to level the match at 1-1.

However, Sandhu got his act together to end any hopes of an unlikely upset and won the next two games to close out the match in 23 minutes.

Ramit Tandon was next up on court and his stroke play was way too much for Miguel Mendez to handle and the Indian raced away to a straight forward win, conceding a total of 7 points in the three games played that lasted 17 minutes.

India are scheduled to meet Hong Kong in the last 16 on Wednesday and need to maintain high standards as the tournament enters the crucial knockout stage.

Results:

India beat Venezuela 3-0: Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Miguel Vallennilla 11-1, 11-2, 11-7; Harinder Pal Sandhu bt Gabriel Teran 11-3, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5; Ramit Tandon bt Miguel Mendez11-2, 11-2, 11-3.