Asian Games squash: Successful day for India
By IANSMonday, November 22, 2010
GUANGZHOU - Indian men and women registered convincing wins and stayed on course for a semifinal berth in the squash team event at the Asian Games here Monday.
The men’s team defeated Japan and Saudi Arabia while the women beat China and Pakistan in the pool matches at the Asian Games Town Gymnasium.
India blanked Japan blanked 3-0 and later dispatched Saudi Arabia in similar style.
World no. 25 Saurav Ghoshal eased past Saudi Arabia’s Ahmad Abdullah Abo Ragah 11-3, 11-6, 11-2 in the first singles.
Harinder Pal Sandhu lost a game against Niyf Abdureqah but prevailed 11-3, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9.
India’s fourth player Sandeep Jangra got a chance to take the court and he did not let the team down. He comfortably won the third singles against Taher Ali Al Botayan 11-4, 11-3, 11-3.
The victory was India’s third in as many matches after it beat Qatar Sunday. The team shares the top spot with Malaysia in Pool B ahead of Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The men play Malaysia and South Korea Tuesday.
The women’s team also notched up comforrtable 3-0 victories against China and arch-rivals Pakistan.
Joshana Chinappa, ranked 37th in the world, slipped in the second game against Maria Wazir but won the contest 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5.
Dipika Pallikal breezed past Saima Shoukat 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 in 22 mins. Anaka Alankamony wrapped up the tie, beating Zoya Khalid 11-6, 11-1, 11-7.
India are at the top in Pool B along with Hong Kong, whom they play Tuesday. The other two teams are China and Pakistan.
The top two teams in the men and women’s event will qualify for the semifinals Wednesday.
