Thaindian News

Kolkata, April 14 (IANS) National champion Saurav Ghosal outplayed 11th seeded Aaron Frankcomb in straight sets 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 in the $50,000 five-star category Professional Squash Association (PSA) Indian Challenger here Wednesday.
The Indian pocketed the match in only 42 minutes to set up a quarter final clash with top seed and title holder Adrian Grant 11-7, 9-11, 11-3 and 11-7 at the Calcutta Racket Club.

The 25-year old who is currently ranked 29 in the world started off well finishing of the opening set with a fine drop shot.

But the Australian, who got some useful tips form second seeded compatriot Cameron Pillay during the break, played aggressively in the second set winning the first few points. But the eighth-seeded Ghosal staged a fine rally to draw level and then kept up the momentum to take the set.

Frankcomb twice contested the match officials’ decisions during the set but on both occasions his appeal was turned down.

The third and final set brought out the best from the Leeds-based Indian who played some scintillating squash to breeze past the Aussie with a world ranking of 39.

“Feels great. Got my skates on!” smiled Ghosal after the match got over.

But the national champion was not complacent. “It wasn’t a whitewash. But I played good squash.”

On his match against Grant Thursday, Ghosal said: “It’s a tough game tomorrow. Got to play better than today of course. Adrian’s a good player. You cannot let him take control of the game, he can be dangerous then.”

However, it was a mixed day for the hosts with the other Indian in the main draw Siddhanth Suchde going down to former tournament champion Md. Azlan Iskandar of Malaysia 5-11, 6-11 and 5-11.

Meanwhile, in the $8,000 Women International Squash Players Association (WISPA) Indian Challenger, country’s numero uno Joshna Chinappa prevailed 11-6, 9-11, 11-3, 11-6 over Australian Maggy Marshall.