The Indian squash contingent started its 19th Asian Games campaign
with commanding triumphs over Singapore and Pakistan, respectively, in the men’s
and women’s team event.
First up in the tie, the Indian women’s squash team overwhelmed
Pakistan 3-0 in their opening Pool B match at the Asian Games 2023.
The Indian team featuring 15-year-old Anahat Singh, veteran Joshana
Chinappa and Tanvi Khanna won consecutive games in their respective matches.
The first singles match saw Anahat, who was making her Asian Games
debut getting past Sadia Gul 11-6, 11-6, 11-3 in a match that lasted for 16
minutes. It just took 13 minutes for veteran Joshna to beat Noor Ul Huda Sadiq
11-2, 11-5, 11-7.
Bharat stamped their dominance over Pakistan when Tanvi battered
Noor Ul Ain Ijaz 11-3, 11-6, 11-2.
Bharat will go up against Nepal and Macao China in the next two
group matches on Wednesday.
On the other hand, the Indian men’s team headlined by seven-time
Asian Games medallist Saurav Ghosal outplayed Singapore 3-0 in their opening
group match at Hangzhou 2023.
Harinder Pal Sandhu fought hard for an 11-4, 13-11, 8-11, 7-11
victory over Jerome Clement in the opening singles.
Bharat’s highest-ranked player Ghosal was tested by Samuel Kang in
the first game before conquering 11-9, 11-1, 11-4 in a match that lasted for 37
minutes.
Marcus Phua was easily defeated by Abhay Singh in three games,
11-7, 11-7, 11-7, giving Bharat an easy victory.
They will go up against Qatar later in the day in their second Pool
A match at the Asian Games.
ANI
