Aditya carries India’s hope in world junior squash

QUITO - Aditya Jagtap carried India’s hopes into the quarterfinal stage of the World Junior Men’s Squash Championships here.

Also joining him Thursday were five Egyptians and one each from Pakistan and England.

Earlier in the day, Jagtap defeated Lance Beddoes from New Zealand and then overcame James Earles from England. The Indian is next scheduled to play tournament’s top seed Amr Khalifa from Egypt.

Having lost the first game with Jagtap playing aggressive shots, Earles slowed down the pace to level the scores. But the spirited Indian ran to a six-point lead in the third to clinch it and went on to win win the match with his aggressive play.

Meanwhile, Ravi Dixit reached the round of 16 before bowing out to giant-killer Mohamed El Sherbini from Egypt. Sherbini had defeated third seeded Lucas Serme in the third round in a thrilling five-setter.

Dixit earlier defeated Frenchman Damien in straight games but had many long rallies through the matches with both players retrieving almost everything.

Likewise, Ramit Tandon and Karan Malik were unable to advance as they lost their respective third round matches in straight games.

The results (India matches):

3rd round: [6] Aditya Jagtap (IND) bt Lance Beddoes (NZL) 11-7, 11-6,14-12; [9/16] Ravi Dixit (IND) bt Damien Volland (FRA) 12-10, 11-7, 11-6; [9/16] Ramit Tandon (IND) lost to [17/32] Ali Ashraf El Karargy (EGY) 6-11,12-14,7-11; [9/16] Waqas Mehboob (PAK) bt Karan Malik (IND) 14-12, 11-8, 11-5.

4th round: [6] Aditya Jagtap (IND) bt [9/16] James Earles (ENG) 3-1; [9/16] Ravi Dixit (IND) lost to [17/32] Mohamed El Sherbini (EGY) 0-3.