Date:31/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/31/stories/2008073156771700.htm

Sport - Squash

Vikram crashes out; Indian challenge ends

CHENNAI: India’s challenge in the individual events ended with the exit of Vikram Malhotra in the pre-quarterfinal round on Tuesday in the World junior men’s squash championship being held in Zurich.

Vikram’s flair and style could not come to his rescue against the tournament favourite and second seed Mohd El Shorbagy of Egypt.

According to Cyrus Poncha, the National coach with the Indian team, Vikram played with a lot of dash and at times was brilliant.

This explained how the Indian pushed the Egyptian on the back foot initially and in fact had led 5-0 in the first game.

Shorbagy, known for his aggressive style of play did not relent and fought back to take the first game 9-7.

Vikram continued with an approach that had deception, floating lobs, medium-paced drives and overhead smashes into the front corners and every time when it appeared that he had had the measure of his rival, Shorbagy would bounce back.

Shorbagy hung on and even though the contest looked evenly fought, he had the last say. Vikram went down fighting 7-9, 7-9, 7-9 in 35 minutes.

Earlier, in the round of 32, Vikram had defeated France’s Petrucci Camille 9-3, 9-7, 9-1.

Aditya Jagtap fell to Herik Mustonen of Finland. Aditya could not match his more experienced opponent and lost 0-9, 0-9, 6-9.

The Indians now have a break till August 2 when the team championship phase commences.