Sport
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Squash
Ritwik and Mekhala, the pick of the lot
By S.R. Suryanarayan
CHENNAI, DEC. 6. Two champions on different paths, but in pursuit of a common goal. That is the position of holder Ritwik Bhattacharya of Delhi and former national champion Mekhala Subedar of Maharashtra on the eve of the Senior National squash championship which gets underway at the SDAT-India Cements Academy on Friday.
Last year-end Ritwik Bhattacharya had aspired for the national title at the expense of Manish Chotrani, who had denied him the honour the previous year. Richer in experience this time and higher in world ranking, having come into the top 100 bracket (he is currently ranked 90), Ritwik should have none to stop him from taking his second successive title in Chennai.
``I think it will be news if someone could extend him, even pluck a game from him,'' felt national coach, Cyrus Poncha, who these days trains at the Academy.
Though none has seen him in recent times as he hardly plays in India, Ritwik is a conscientious worker on fitness and as the only Indian on the PSA circuit he knows the virtue of being in fine nick always. Outside of the 100 bracket last year, Ritwik's higher ranking is an index of his improvement. It is doubtful if former junior champion Bikram Uberoi or even his key rival, Manish Chotrani, will trouble him.
Manish himself is not known to play much outside Mumbai because his garment business hardly leaves him with enough time for tours and that probably is the reason why he is not among the top four seeds. But his fitness is his forte and in this stamina-sapping sport that means a lot. To that extent Manish could well provide a repeat final of previous year.
Mekhala has not forgotten the humiliation at the hands of the hugely talented local school girl, Joshna Chinappa, in the semifinals last year. Having reached the city nearly a month ago to train under Poncha, Mekhala means business this time. Having beaten Joshna twice in recent times-Maharashtra Open and CCI Western India Open-this Nasik girl, who has won the title three times, is confident of annexing her fourth title.
``I was happy with the way I beat her in recent tourneys,'' Mekhala said in the midst of a warming-up session.
Indeed, if Joshna plays to her potential and puts up a gritty display inspired by the home setting, it will be interesting prospects on the distaff side. It is difficult to look beyond these two though Deepali Anvekar is considered a plucky performer.
The absence of Vaidehi Reddy, another local girl of high standing but nursing a knee injury, is sure to take some sheen away from the women's competition.
The cream of Indian squash is here and the Academy courts, always a beehive of activity, are set to witness some high class matches. The men's draw is of 64 and the women's is of 16. Most seeded players are expected to make their appearances on the first day itself.
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