Ritwik & Reda Reach Chennai Final

Top seeds Ritwik Bhattacharya and Mohd Ali Anwar Reda claimed their anticipated places in the final of the 5th ICL Chennai Open - Circuit 2 after contrasting victories in the semi-finals of the PSA Tour event at the ICL Squash Academy in the Indian city of Chennai.

There was little to differentiate between the two players in the first semi-final as Reda, the No2 seed from Egypt, and local hero Harinder Pal Sandhu probed each others defences in the first game. 'Harry', the 18-year-old fourth seed from Chennai, had shown all week his ability to put balls away.

However, at nine-all, an unforced error by the Indian and a brilliant finish in the rally thereafter sealed the game for the much relieved Reda.

The 18-year-old from Cairo maintained his supremacy in the next two games, ultimately winning 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 in 41 minutes to reach the seventh PSA Tour final of his career - and his sixth of the year!

The second semi-final was also an Indian/Egyptian clash, between Ritwik Bhattacharya, the 27-year-old favourite from New Delhi, and Omar Tarek Mahm Aly, an unseeded 18-year-old from Alexandria.

Local squash enthusiasts had enjoyed Reda's repertoire of shots: His delays, deception and ability to put the ball away from the most difficult of positions had endeared him to the fans. Bhattacharya, however, remained unperturbed by the Egyptian's brilliant skills - and kept his basic game tight, choosing his shots aptly to win the first game after a tie-break.

But, with the score standing 4-2 in the second game, Reda conceded the match - citing an ankle injury. "Apparently Tarek had been carrying this injury well before the tournament started and it got worse with every match he played," said tournament organiser Cyrus Poncha.

The brief outcome takes Bhattacharya into the eighth PSA Tour final of his career - but his first of the year.

Semi-finals:
[1] Ritwik Bhattacharya (IND) bt Omar Tarek Mahm Aly (EGY) 11-10 (2-0), 4-2 ret.
[2] Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (EGY) bt [4] Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 (41m)