Thaindian News

Kolkata, April 16 (IANS) India’s top squash player Saurav Ghosal’s campaign ended as he lost to Egyptian Mohammed El Shorbagy 11-5, 9-11, 3-11 and 12-14 in the semi-finals after a tough contest at the five-star $50,000 PSA Indian Challenger here Friday.
However, India had a representative in the $8,000 Women’s International Squash Player’s Association (WISPA) final, with Dipika Pallikal getting the better of Malaysian top seed Sharon Wee 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9 to set up a summit clash with second seed Emma Beddoes.

Expectations were high after Ghoshal’s upset win over defending champion and top seed Adrian Grant in Thursday’s quarter finals at the Calcutta Racket Club.

With a decent crowd turning up to watch the now Leeds-based city boy in action, a keyed up Ghosal relied on deft placements and executed controlled shots to win the first game convincingly against the Egyptian.

Some unstoppable rallies were on display in the second game which eventually went to the third seeded Egyptian who has a world ranking of 16.

But the match spun out of Ghosal’s control in the third game as Shorbagy played some world class squash letting loose an array of powerful shots and crisp strokes. He quickly raced to a 5-0 lead and the Indian boy could never make a comeback into the game.

The fourth game then brought out the best squash out of the rivals, but Shorbagy had the last laugh as he set up a final with compatriot Tarek Momen, who pulled off an upset 11-13, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 victory over second seeded Australian Cameron Pilley.

“I was not feeling perfect physically after yesterday’s match (against Adrian Grant). Not an injury, the fatigue maybe. Shorbagy played squash of the highest level. The fourth set was probably where I was a little unlucky. Feeling disappointed.” admitted a dejected Ghosal after the tie.

In the women’s competition, India’s top seed Joshna Chinappa crashed out to British Emma Beddoes 11-7, 11-4, 11-8, who will now take on Pallikal for the crown.

“Feels good. At the same time I would have loved if Josh (Joshna Chinappa) had won. That would have guaranteed an Indian Champion. But she was injured. Unlucky!” said Deepika who is 49th in world ranking and seeded fourth in the tourney.