Date:16/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/16/stories/2008061656411800.htm

Sport - Squash

Vikram shocks Harinderpal Singh

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Vikram Malhotra, India’s top junior, stunned experienced Harinderpal Singh Sandhu for a place in the men’s final of the Otters Open squash tournament here.

The top seed in the boys’ under-19 category, Vikram came back from two games down to win 5-9, 8-10, 9-5, 9-2, 9-3 in the semifinal on Saturday night.

Ritwik Bhattacharya swept aside Parth Sharma in three games in the other semifinal.

Vikram, building on a series of notable performances, including a victory over former National champion Manish Chotrani, changed pace in the last three games to quell his talented rival in 80 minutes.

Ritwik, India No. 2 and Indonesia Open winner, won 9-0, 9-2, 9-3. Defending champion Mandy Kennedy of England and second seed Dr. Deepali Anvekar-Parikh set up a title clash in the women’s event.

The results (all semifinals):

Men: Ritwik Bhattacharya bt Parth Sharma (Raj) 9-0, 9-2, 9-3; Vikram Malhotra bt Harinderpal Singh Sandhu 5-9, 8-10, 9-5, 9-2, 9-3.

Women: Dr. Deepali Anvekar-Parikh bt Sachika Balwani 5-9, 9-7, 9-4, 9-7; Mandy Kennedy bt Saumya Karki 9-6, 9-1, 5-9, 8-10, 9-2.

Professionals: Temo Gomez bt Sachin Jadhav 9-7, 9-1, 9-3; Farmaan Khan bt Sanjay Pawar 2-9, 9-6, 9-4, 9-3.

Over-45: Vaman Apte bt Deepak Kochhar 5-9, 9-4, 9-2, 9-0; B.I. Singh bt Chandrakant Pawar 9-1, 9-1, 9-1.

Over-35: Temo Gomez bt Darius Surti 6-9, 10-8, 9-1, 9-3; Manish Chotrani bt Jahangir Surti 9-7, 9-6, 9-7.