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Ghosal marches into title round

Last Updated 22 September 2014, 19:10 IST

Saurav Ghosal finally broke his semifinal jinx in stupendous fashion, assuring Indian squash its first medal brighter than a bronze here at the 17th Asian Games on Monday.

Having succumbed at the semifinal stage at the last two Asiads, a determined Saurav came out all guns blazing, flooring Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 in 45 quick minutes to create history at the Yeorumul Courts.

Indian squash players have so far won four bronze medals at the continental bash, including two by Saurav himself, and the World No 16 will take on Kuwaiti Abdullah Almezayen in hope of capturing the elusive gold that could prove to be a defining moment in his career.

Ghosal’s compatriot Dipika Pallikal was forced to settle for a bronze, going down 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 to defending champion and World No 1 Nicol David of Malaysia in the women’s singles.

Right from the time Saurav stepped on court against the seasoned Ong, he appeared to have definitive plans against an opponent who was ranked as high as seventh in the world and had won the individual gold at the 2002 and 2006 Asiads in his pomp.

Using drop shots and slices to great effect, completely deceiving Ong time and again, Saurav totally dominated the Malaysian, rarely lifting his foot off the accelerator in a polished show.

Such was the brilliance of Saurav’s performance that only in the first game did Ong appear to be in the contest, the veteran just appearing a shadow of his past in the remaining two games.

After sealing the opening game in tight fashion, Saurav took a 6-4 lead in the second where he displayed good athleticism in winning the long points early on. That offset Ong completely as he ran up a series unforced errors that helped Saurav bring up six game points and the Indian took a 2-0 lead after the Malaysian hit out. With his tails up, realising he was just one game away from sealing his place in history, Saurav opened up a commanding 8-4 lead in the third game. He raised five match points when Ong hit low while attempting a slice. The Malaysian, however, couldn’t prevent the inevitable when he failed to meet Saurav’s rasping rebound off the wall.

“Ever since I had dinner last night, my thoughts were about this match,” a delighted Saurav said. “He had beaten me this June and at Doha Asian Games as well. I knew I had to be at my best to beat him.
“All my game plans worked to the hilt today. It’s great to know that I’m assured of at least a silver. Ever since the Games started, I’m totally focussed and tomorrow is a great chance to win a gold for India. That’s what every athlete dreams of and I hope to achieve it tomorrow.”

Dipika faced a herculean challenge against four-time defending champion Nicol. To effect a shocker she needed to rise well above her best but the Indian just couldn’t trade punches equally with the Malaysian great. A cut above, Nicol just oozed class, sweeping Dipika away with her brilliance in a completely lop-sided match.

Cash prize

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday announced a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh to Dipika. “You have done us all proud once again by winning a bronze medal... I wish to convey my heartiest congratulations on behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu for your splendid achievement," she said in a statement.



Results, semifinals: Men: Saurav Ghosal (Ind) bt Ong Beng Hee (Mas) 11-9, 11-4, 1-5; Abdullah Almezayen (Kuw) bt Ho Yin Lee (HK) 6-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8. Women: Nicol David (Mas) bt Dipika Pallikal (Ind) 11-4, 11-4, 11-5; Wern Low Wee (Mas)  bt Chi Annie Au Wing (HK)11-9, 11-5, 11-5.

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(Published 22 September 2014, 19:10 IST)

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