Asian Games: Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal Assure India Medals in Squash
Dipika Pallikal overcame Joshana Chinappa in a thrilling match to reach semis while Saurav Ghosal beat Pakistan's Nasir Iqbal in men's singles squash quarterfinal at Incheon. Both have assured a medal each for India.
Dipika Pallikal assured India of another medal from squash after she won her women's singles quarter-final 3-2 against compatriot and doubles partner Joshana Chinappa at the Asian Games in Incheon on Sunday. (Day 2 Live | Schedule | Medal Tally)
Dipika won 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 15-17, 11-9 in one hour and 41 minutes at the Yeorumul Squash Courts. (Day 1 Wrap)
Even if she loses in the semi-final, she will win the bronze.
In men's singles category, top-seeded Saurav Ghosal beat Pakistan's Iqbal Nasir 3-1 at the Yeorumul Squash Courts to confirm a medal for India.
Ghosal won 11-6, 9-11, 11-2, 11-9 in the quarter-final which lasted 58 minutes. (India blank Nepal in Men's Tennis, Reach Quarters)
The 28-year-old started the game on a bright note against the 20-year-old Iqbal, winning the first game 11-6. But, a few mistakes on Ghosal's part allowed Iqbal to equalise 1-1 as the World No.16 Indian went down 9-11. (Korean schoolboy outguns former Olympic champion)
However, an unflustered Ghosal brought all his experience to the fore and remained calm to get his rhythm back. He won the next two games 11-2 and 11-9 to seal the tie in his favour. (Jitu Rai earns Rs 50-Lakh cash award from UP Government)
In the semi-final, Ghosal, who is a two-time Asian Games bronze medalist, faces a stronger opponent in 2006 Asian Games champion Malaysia's Ong Beng Hee, who defeated Hong Kong's Au Chun Ming 3-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7) in another quarter-final.