The Hindu : Gaurav stuns Navneet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 21, 2002

Sport

Sport - Squash

Gaurav stuns Navneet

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI DEC. 20. Professionals are considered the bit players in the Indian squash hierarchy, when in practical terms they form the backbone. Chandrakant Pawar is a living example of the varied ways dedicated and long-serving pros can support the game, even while trying to construct their own lives out of nothing. The 48-year-old pro, contesting in 50th ICICI Lombard senior National squash championships men's 45-plus category, is engaged in a lifelong quest for getting professionals all over the country at least the attention they deserve, let alone respect from the authorities running the show.

Pawar showed the way with a controlled 9-6, 5-9, 9-1, 9-3 victory over Anjan Chinappa on Friday at the Otters Club, leaving the father of talented young Joshna Chinappa shaking his head in admiration. The one-time pro-turned coaching pioneer unfurled all the skills and deception in his armoury, leaving his spirited rival running diagonally across the court with a mix of drops and wristy shots.

Pawar is emphatic that talented pros, given the right push and opportunities, can be considered as worthy of representing India in international events as well-heeled youngsters who dot the squash landscape.

Delhi's under-19 player, Gaurav Nandrajog stunned third seed Capt Navneet Narain (Services) in the men's quarterfinals 8-10, 10-8, 9-0, 9-4 to set up a clash with Ritwik Bhattacharya. India's only player on the PSA circuit, the top seed was stretched by local lad Supreet Singh, coached by Chandrakant Pawar, before winning in four games. In the women's competition, top seed Joshna Chinappa and second seed Mekhla Subedar remained on course, entering the semifinals with ease. The former takes on another Pawar trainee, Deepali Anvekar, who beat Sohini Kumari in three games, while Mekhla faces Priyanka Yadav.

The results (all quarterfinals): Men: 1-Ritwik Bhattacharya (Del) bt Supreet Singh 9-2, 9-2, 5-9, 9-1; Gaurav Nandrajog (Del) bt 3-Navneet Narain (Svc) 8-10, 10-8, 9-0, 9-4.

Women: 1-Mekhala Subedar bt Vandana Carvalho 9-0, 9-0, 9-0; Deepali Anvekar bt Sohini Kumari 9-2, 9-6, 9-4; 1-Joshna Chinappa (Che) bt Shaila Pandole 9-2, 9-0, 9-1; Priyanka Yadav w/o Rhea Bhandare.

Professionals: Mahesh Verma bt Vijay Sonavane 9-4, 9-6, 9-1; Dilip Tripathi bt Anant More 9-1, 9-3, 9-2; Santosh More bt Gopi Mohite 10-8, 9-5,5-9, 9-0; Balamurugan bt Rohit More 9-3, 9-0, 9-0. Pre-quarterfinals: S. More bt Sachin Jadhav 9-5, 9-0, 9-7; D. Tripathi bt Anil Mohite 9-0, 9-2, 9-4; Rohit More bt Prakash Yelve 9-4,9-5, 9-7; V. Sonavane bt Vijay Waghela 9-10, 9-2,9-2, 9-3; Balamurugan bt Rajesh Sonavane 9-4, 9-2, 9-3; A. More bt Sanjay Pawar 9-6, 9-3, 9-7; G. Mohite bt Vijay Jangra 9-4, 9-0, 10-8; M. Verma bt Devdas Tambe 9-0, 9-1, 9-0.

Men's 45+: 1-Chandrakant Pawar bt Anjan Chinappa 9-6, 5-9, 9-1, 9-3.

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