Ghosal & Au Take Chennai Titles

Hong Kong's Annie Au dashed hopes of a domestic double in today's finals of the ICL Chennai Open when she beat Indian teenager Dipika Pallikal in the climax of the women's WISPA World Tour squash event at the ICL Squash Academy in Chennai.

In the final of the men's $10,000 PSA Tour event, local hero Saurav Ghosal successfully defended his title when he beat fellow Indian Ritwik Bhattacharya in four games.

Pallikal, the 16-year-old fifth seed from Chennai who was celebrating her maiden appearance in a WISPA Tour final, struggled at the outset with her higher-seeded opponent's drop and drive game. The brave youngster squandered an 8-0 lead in the second game before going down to Au, the 19-year-old fourth seed, 10-8.

But Dipika reversed her fortunes in the third game, fighting back from 2-7 down to reach game ball at 8-7 in just one hand! But, in the final twist, Au clinched the game to take the match - and her second Tour title - 9-3, 10-8, 10-8 after 44 minutes.

"It was a remarkable achievement, however, by Dipika to get to the final - and overall a great event for Indian Squash," said event spokesman Cyrus Poncha.

Top seed Saurav Ghosal claimed his third PSA title when he defeated national rival Ritwik Bhattacharya, the second seed, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6.

The match was an excellent display of rally finishing. Bhattacharya played a tight first game and this showed in his finishing the game in just ten minutes. The second game set the tone for the rest of the match. Unforced errors by the second seed allowed Ghosal to draw level.

"The next couple of games saw Saurav gliding over the court and the 'human rubber band' was able to run down practically every ball to take control of the third game as well," explained Poncha.

Ghosal raced to a 5-1 lead in the fourth game, and the momentum carried him through to victory after 49 minutes.

Men's Final:
[1] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt [2] Ritwik Bhattacharya (IND) 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6 (49m)

Women's Final:
[4] Annie Au (HKG) bt [5] Dipika Pallikal (IND) 9-3, 10-8, 10-8 (44m)