India's Ghosal Gets In The Medals In Doha

India is set to win its first squash medal in the 15th Asian Games after Saurav Ghosal upset his higher-seeded compatriot Ritwik Bhattacharya in today's quarter-finals at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar.

In the only match of the day fought out between two nationals, 3/4 seed Bhattacharya took on the fast-improving Ghosal, the 5/8 seed making his debut in the Games. At 4-2 in the first game, Ritwik sustained a slight nick on his nose - which resulted in a delay while the injury was attended to.

Once play resumed, 20-year-old Ghosal zipped around the court, playing delightful lengths and awesome finishing shots to take the first game. The second was no contest as the youngster, who is studying at Leeds University in the UK, romped home to extend his lead without dropping a point.

Saurav's drops were tight and low and the lethargic Ritwik was not able to cope. Being two games down, however, seemed to spur Bhattacharya on as he came back fighting, forcing Ghosal to make a string of errors. This, coupled with the more experienced player's own attacking drop shots, led Bhattacharya to take the third game.

The fourth game was fought neck and neck, but Ghosal's consistency shone through as he romped to a 9-4, 9-0, 6-9, 9-7 victory in 69 minutes to guarantee himself at least a bronze medal.

"It was a well-deserved victory for Saurav," said ASF Technical Delegate Major Maniam.

The Indian national champion from Chennai will now face Malaysia's defending champion Ong Beng Hee for a place in the men's final. It was shaky start for the No2 seed in his first match of the championship, but once the four-times Asian champion settled down against Ali Alramezi, he soon earned a comfortable win, beating the 5/8 seed from Kuwait 9-6, 9-1, 9-0.

The other men's semi-final will also have Malaysian interest after favourite Mohd Azlan Iskandar beat Pakistan's 5/8 seed Aamir Atlas Khan 9-7, 9-5, 9-2 in the final match of the day.

It was a matter of "the best being saved for the last" as, just a few weeks ago, Iskandar had lost to the 16-year-old in Pakistan. It was time for revenge for the world No 13. What started promisingly ended tamely, however, with the Malaysian stamping his authority right from the start with effective short straight and cross court drives and some delicately executed straight drops.

Iskandar will take on another Pakistani, 3/4 seed Mansoor Zaman, after the silver medallist in 2002 beat Hong Kong's Wai Hang Wong 9-7, 9-5, 10-8.

In the women's event, the eager crowd was able to see favourite Nicol David in action for the first time. Fresh from her success in last month's World Open Championship in Belfast, the world number one from Malaysia opened her 2006 Asian Games campaign against South Korea's Eun Ok Park - and comfortably beat the 5/8 seed 9-0, 9-0, 9-4.

David will face Christina Mak for a place in her third final in a row after the 3/4 seed from Hong Kong beat Japan's Mami Nishio 9-7, 9-1, 9-3.

Defending women's gold medallist Rebecca Chiu, of Hong Kong, made short work of Joshna Chinappa - beating the Indian No1 9-3, 9-1, 9-2. Chiu, the second seed, now meets Malaysia's 3/4 seed Sharon Wee, the 9-3, 9-2, 9-2 winner over Japan's Chinatsu Matsui.

Men's quarter-finals:
[1] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) bt [5/8] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) 9-7, 9-5, 9-2 (43m)
[3/4] Mansoor Zaman (PAK) bt [5/8] Wai Hang Wong (HKG) 9-7, 9-5, 10-8 (56m)
[5/8] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt [3/4] Ritwik Bhattacharya (IND) 9-4, 9-0, 6-9, 9-7 (69m)
[2] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) bt [5/8] Ali Alramezi (KUW) 9-6, 9-1, 9-0 (22m)

Women's quarter-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [5/8] Eun Ok Park (KOR) 9-0, 9-0, 9-4 (22m)
[3/4] Christina Mak (HKG) bt [5/8] Mami Nishio (JPN) 9-7, 9-1, 9-3 (36m)
[3/4] Sharon Wee (MAS) bt [5/8] Chinatsu Matsui (JPN) 9-3, 9-2, 9-2 (29m)
[2] Rebecca Chiu (HKG) bt [5/8] Joshna Chinappa (IND) 9-3, 9-1, 9-2 (21m)