Asian Games 2018: All four Indian Squash players progress into quarters

The men’s squash team assured India at least another bronze medal after reaching the quarterfinals, where the country’s top-ranked player Saurav Ghosal will take on compatriot Harinder Pal Sandhu for a place in the 18^th Asian Games semi-finals in Jakarta on Friday.

Ghosal, 32, began his title defence against Sri Lankan opponent Mohomed Ismail Mukthar Wakeel in the opening round, whom he defeated 11-2, 11-2, 11-1 in straight sets.

Then facing Pakistan’s Aslam Tayeb, Ghosal won the opening two sets before losing the third from a game point position. It, however, could not deter his progress and he eventually won 11-5, 11-3, 11-13, 11-8 to advance into the quarters.

Sandhu traded a similar path, winning the first game with ease before overcoming Garcia Robert Andrew in a closely fought contest in the second round.

He defeated Ko Youngjo of Korea 11-8, 11-3, 11-5 in the opening round without breaking a sweat. But was tested to his limit in the second round where he won went down in the game but fought back to eventually win. Sandhu came from 1-1 to win the game 11-4, 2-11, 12-10, 15-13.

Both Sandhu and Ghosal will face off in the quarter-final, where only one can progress.

Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal faced little difficulty in reaching the quarters. While, Chinappa ousted Aribado Jemyca of Philippines 11-2, 11-8, 12-10 to progress, Pallikal beat Indonesia’s Rohmah Yeni Seti 11-6, 11-5, 11-5.

Pallikal will next face Ling Ho Chan of Hong Kong, Chinappa will take on Misaki Kobayashi of Japan.

World Championships silver medallist Sonia Lather (57kg) was given a direct entry into the quarter-finals of the boxing event, while six Indian women boxers including two-time medallist Vikas Krishan and Sarjubala Devi got byes into the pre-quarters.

In the men’s category, five out of seven boxers were given first-round byes, with the exception being Gaurav Solanki (52kg) and Manoj Kumar (69kg) both of whom will take part in the round-of-32 on Friday.