Asian Games squash | Ghosal, Dipika-Harinder and Abhay-Anahat pairs reach semis, assure India of three medals
The Hindu
India started the quarterfinals on a bright note through the mixed doubles duo of Dipika Pallikal and Harindar Pal Singh Sidhu, who produced a come-from-behind victory.
Sourav Ghosal was dominant in his men’s singles victory, while the mixed doubles pairs were also equally facile in their waltz to the semifinals of the squash competition, assuring India of three medals in the Asian Games here on Tuesday.
Veteran Ghosal was in his elements while scoring 11-5, 12-10, 11-3 win over Japan's Ryunosuke Tsukue, while the mixed doubles team of Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh defeated Yang Yeonsoo and Dongjun Lee 11-4, 8-11, 11-1 in 32 minutes.
India started the quarterfinals on a bright note through the mixed doubles duo of Dipika Pallikal and Harindar Pal Singh Sidhu, who produced a come-from-behind victory over Jemyca Aribado and Andrew Garica of Philippines 7-11, 11-5, 11-4.
However, it was curtains for India’s Tanvi Khanna as she lost to Satomi Watanabe in the women’s singles quarterfinals 5-11, 6-11, 12-14.
Ghosal, a gold medallist in Incheon Games 2014, brought forth his years of experience to put it against Tsukue as the Indian breezed past the first game 11-4.
But the Japanese gave the top seeded Ghosal a more challenging time in the second game, running the Indian close point by point.
However, Ghosal found an opening when the score was 11-10, as the Indian’s powerful forehand caught the Japanese short in the back court. Ghosal took that game 12-10.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.