Sport - Squash

Joshna Chinappa and Saurav Ghosal corner glory

— Photo: K. Ramesh Babu

TIME TO REJOICE: A. Parthiban, Joshna Chinappa and Saurav Ghosal with their trophies.

HYDERABAD: Defending champion Joshna Chinappa defeated Dipika Pallikal 11-8, 11-7, 11-2 in just 23 minutes to win her eighth title, in the 56th senior National squash championships at the Secunderabad Club here on Saturday.

In the men’s final, title-holder Saurav Ghosal (Tamil Nadu) warded off a spirited challenge from Siddarth Suchde (Maharashtra) before winning 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4. This was Ghosal’s fourth successive crown.

The women’s final got off to a sizzling start. The scores were levelled five times before the 22-year-old reigning champion changed gears with a wonderful display of drive-ins from both flanks and complemented them with some delectable drops.

“It is always a great feeling to be the National champion, though the first title when I was just 14 stands out as very special,” said a jubilant Joshna. “Every National is a different proposition and one needs to be consistent over the years to win these titles. I am happy that I am able to do that,” she said.

Joshna added that Dipika did look good in patches in the first game.

The men’s summit clash was more exciting with Siddarth clinching the first game 13-11 in a tight contest. Interestingly, the long rallies were confined to the left-flank and it was Siddarth who had the better of the exchanges with some clever interceptions.

However, once Ghosal got his act together in the second game, it was a different story altogether. “I think the decisive moment came in the second game when I levelled the scores at eight with a drop shot,” Ghosal said later.

With Ghosal starting to fire, Siddarth committed quite a few unforced errors. Siddarth’s strategy of going for the ‘side boasts’ too did not click as Ghosal proved equal to the task and went on to win their 77-minute duel.

“I dedicate this win to my grandparents — Dr. S.B.N. Ghosal and Dina Ghosal,” an elated Ghosal said.

In the pro-category, the 23-year-old A. Parthiban defeated his former coach and 10-time champion B. Balamurugan 12-10, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 in 48 minutes to lift the title in his maiden appearance.

N. Ramachandran, President, Squash Rackets Federation of India, gave away the prizes.

The results (finals):

Men: Saurav Ghosal (TN) bt Siddarth Suchde (Maha) 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4.

Women: Joshna Chinappa (TN) bt Dipika Pallikal (TN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-2.

Pro category: A. Parthiban (TN) bt B. Balamurugan (TN) 12-10, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8.

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