Ghosal enters pre-quarters of Punj Lloyd Squash
December 13th, 2011 - 10:15 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) India’s Saurav Ghosal played the short game to his advantage to beat Julian Illingworth of the US 12-10, 11-4, 11-2 in the opening round of the $165,000 Punj Lloyd PSA Squash Masters here Tuesday.
It is often said getting a lead in the match is crucial for a players’ chances and this worked in favour of 29th-ranked Ghosal.
Though Ghosal played to his strengths in the first set, he gave four free points to Illingworth by coming in his way while the American was attempting a shot. Yet, the Kolkata player managed a 6-4 lead courtesy some brilliant drop shots and cross-court volleys.
Illingworth came back to take the next four points but at 11-10, Ghosal’s backhand smash found a nick and there was no way Illingworth could get hold of the ball.
From there on, Ghosal ran away with the contest with Illingworth failing to match his pace. Illingworth, who beat the Indian in their last meeting in the World Team Championships at Padderborn, Germany, said he was “hesitant” in his game and Ghosal took advantage of that.
Illingworth’s frustration was also evident when he expressed displeasure over a referee’s decision at the end of the first set.
Ghosal, on the other hand, was happy to register a win in his home tournament and said he executed his game plan to perfection.
“The first set was definitely the key. I was able to cut down on my errors after that and played the short game well. I was able to tire him out,” said Ghosal, who dropped a few places in the rankings after coming from an injury lay-off in August.
Ghosal faces world number seven Peter Barker of England in the pre-quarterfinals Thursday.
Barker defeated Finland’s Olli Touminen 11-4, 11-4, 11-1 in an earlier first round match.
Top-seed Ramy Ashour of Egypt was stretched by Malaysian Mohamed Nafizwan Adnan before he wrapped up a 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-9 victory.
Results: Alister Walker (BOT) beat Alan Clyne (SCO) 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-5), Peter Barkar (ENG) beat Olli Touminen (FIN) 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-1), Simon Rosner (GER) beat Omar Abdel Aziz (EGY) 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-4), Daryl Selby (ENG) beat Mohammed Abbas (EGY) 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-9), Saurav Ghosal (IND) beat Julian Illingworth (USA) 3-0 (12-10, 11-4, 11-2), Ramy Ashour (EGY) beat Mohamed Nafizwan Adnan (MAS) 3-1 (9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-9).
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Tags: adnan, ashour, backhand, cross court, displeasure, drop shots, four points, game plan, illingworth, mohamed, number seven, olli, peter barker, psa, punj lloyd, quarterfinals, saurav, sco, short game, volleys