Dipika, Ghosal enter semis

Both assured of bronze medals

 India’s top-ranked squash players Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal marched into the semifinals of the squash competition, assuring themselves of at least bronze medals here at the 17th Asian Games on Sunday.

Saurav overcame Iqbal Nasir of Pakistan 11-6, 11-9, 11-2, 11-9 in his quarterfinal match. Dipika edged past compatriot Joshna Chinappa 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 17-15, 11-9 in a hard-fought tussle.

The win, despite coming against her colleague, was a sweet gift for Dipika, a day she celebrated her 23rd birthday with a guaranteed medal. “I hope to change the colour of the medal tomorrow,” she told reporters.

In the semifinals, Saurav locks horns with Thailand’s Ong Beng Hee while Dipika takes on favourite Nicol David of Malaysia.

Tennis team in quarters

The Indian men’s tennis team stormed into the quarterfinals of the team championship, romping past Nepal 3-0 in their second round match.

Sanam Singh put India ahead with a 6-0, 6-1 thumping of Abhishek Bastola, Yuki Bhambri then made it 2-0 after handing Jeetendra Pariyar the dreaded double-bagel before the doubles combo of Saketh Myneni and Divij Sharan trounced Santosh Khatri and Dawa Sonam Sherpa 6-0, 6-0.

Swimmers disappoint

Indian swimmers failed to impress in their respective heats as the aquatics competition kicked off.

Saurabh Sangvekar finished 16th overall in the 200 metres freestyle with a timing of 1:53.33 while Aaron D’Souza clocked 2:04.74 to end ninth overall in the 200M butterfly.PSD Madhu finished 15th overall in the 100M backstroke in 57.81 seconds.

Handball team loses

The Indian handball team’s dismal show continued as it lost 19-39 to South Korea in its second group D match. The Indians trailed the host team 6-21 in the first half before losing the second half 13-18.

Cycling duo ends 9th, 11th

Indian cyclists Debroah and Mohan Mahitha finished ninth and 11th in the women’s keirin individual track event on Sunday.

Both Debroah and Mah­itha finished fifth in their respective heats over eight laps before ending at the ninth and 11th places in the classification race to decide minor positions at the Incheon International Velodrome.

Indian men’s and women’s track cyclists finished disappointing identical seventh in their respective team sprint events on the opening day. Deborah had paired up with Kezia Vargheese in the wo­m­en’s team event.

Cagers lose to Saudi 

After an impressive start, the Indian men cagers failed to maintain the momentum as they went down fighting 67-73 to Saudi Arabia in their Group B qualifying round match in the basketball competition.

India scripted a fightback in the fourth and final quarter after Saudi Arabia dominated the proceedings in the first three quarters but could not avoid a defeat.

Eves hammered

The Indian women’s football team suffered its second straight crushing defeat, hammered 10-0 by Thailand in their Group A game. Nisa Romyen struck four goals, Kanjana Sung Ngoen scored three while Pitsamai Sornsai and Nephat Seesraum netted one goal each for Thailand.

Result: Thailand: 10 (Nisa Romyen 8th, 9th, 16th, 39th, Kanjana Sung Ngoen 24th, 27th, 28th, 35th, Pitsamai Sornsai 47th, Naphat Seesraum 90+) bt India: 0.