Saurav Saunters Into Kolkata Quarters

Saurav Ghosal single-handedly took local interest into the quarter-finals of the PSA Indian Challenger No2 after a confident straight games win over compatriot Naresh Kumar in today's first round of the $30,000 3-star PSA Tour squash event at The Calcutta Racket Club in Kolkata, India.

Sixth seed Ghosal withstood a strong challenge by his younger unseeded opponent who had received a wildcard entry. Kumar, 20, from Chennai, had a game ball in the second game - but Ghosal salvaged the point and went on to win the game. Kumar was visibly drained by his efforts and lost the third game without winning a further point.

The 11-8, 13-11, 11-0 victory takes Ghosal up against top seed Ong Beng Hee. The Malaysian, ranked 11 in the world, beat France's Stephane Galifi 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5.

India's other hope Ritwik Bhattacharya began well but lost steam as his seeded opponent Mohammed Abbas, of Egypt, stepped up his game in the later stages of the match. The 29-year-old from Mumbai looked fit and fresh as he raced to win the first game, raising hopes of an upset.

But Bhattacharya began committing unforced errors at crucial points - and fifth seed Abbas took full advantage to pull off a 7-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 victory.

"Minor errors cost you the game when you are against an opponent of Abbas' calibre," said world No60 Bhattacharya after the match. "I was feeling fine physically and moving around the court well. But I made too many errors in the rush to get winners."

1st round:
[1] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) bt Stephane Galifi (FRA) 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5 (45m)
[6] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt Naresh Kumar (IND) 11-8, 13-11, 11-0 (33m)
[4] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) bt [Q] Shaun le Roux (ENG) 11-2, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9 (22m)
[5] Mohammed Abbas (EGY) bt Ritwik Bhattacharya (IND) 7-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 (44m)
[8] Amr Swelim (EGY) bt [Q] Rob Sutherland (WAL) 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 (32m)
[3] Adrian Grant (ENG) bt [Q] James Snell (ENG) 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 (33m)
[7] Aaron Frankcomb (AUS) bt [Q] Jaymie Haycocks (ENG) 11-8, 13-11, 11-5 (62m)
[2] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) bt Simon Rosner (GER) 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 (44m)