Makin topples Simpson in Mumbai marathon
By SACHIKA IRSHWIN BALVANI
Three Indian players powered through to the second round in Mumbai as home crowds cheered them on in the CCI International event in the Indian Squash Series.
[Q] Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND) beat 3-1 [7] Ivan Yuen (MAS) | 4-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 | 51 mins
An early attack by Yuen, both on the ball and on Sandhu, saw the former win the first game 11-4. The second game saw errors from Sandhu give Yuen a 5-3 lead before a daring colley drop put Sandhu back in the game 4-5. A vital rally followed, bouncing between the realms of attack and defence, which finally ended in a brilliant length from Sandhu, equalising the score at 5 all. Three tins from Yuen gave Sandhu the upper hand, and these followed by a dying boast by Sandhu had him leading at 9-5. Though Yuen took one point, Sandhu answered with a return-of-serve-nick to take himself up to game ball before sealing the game, 11-6. It was Sandhu’s ability to be persistent and attack at the same time that allowed him to be the victor of the long rallies that made up the third game. Sandhu managed an 11-2 win , and this, along with his lightening speed, allowed him to confidently attack all four corners of the court during the fourth and final game to win it 11-3.
[5] Nicolas Muller (SUI) beat 3-1 [Q] Ammar Altamimi (KUW) | 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7 (39mins)
In a nutshell, it was Müller’s consistency that allowed him to beat Kuwait’s Al Tamimi. Though Müller dropped the second game, he was quick to bounce back and win the third. In the fourth, Müller though Müller trailed 2-6, his experience garnered him the ability to quickly not only level the score, but also take the game and the match in turn.
[WC] Ramit Tandon (IND) beat 3-1 [8] Abdulla Mohd al Tamimi (QAT) | 11-7, 4-11, 11-4, 11-3 | 45 mins
When the first game score stood at 5-3 to Tandon, he had won three of those five points with his straight drive, while Tamimi had won two of his three on his boast. The pattern continued, with Tandon attacking primarily straight and Al Tamimi doing so laterally. This gave Tandon the first game, 11-7. I would say Tandon dropped the second game, but in truth it was Al Tamimi who dropped the shots. Quite literally, his drops were what put Tandon in a frenzy and won him the game 11-4. However, from then on, it was a Tandon turnover as things mirrored the first game, and Tandon attacked the alley, using the length to set up winning shots, force mistakes from Al Tamimi or as winners themselves. Tandon surprised Al Tamimi by taking the final two games and beating him 3-1, booking a place in the quarter finals.
[2] Omar Mosaad (EGY) beat 3-0 Todd Harrity (USA) | 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 | 42 mins
Each game was unexpectedly close, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9, with Harrity keeping the Egyptian on his toes throughout. However, in each game, it was undoubtedly Mosaad’s experience and expert hands that allowed him to pull through each game and stop Harrity from going any further in this tournament. Mosaad will go on to play India’s Harinder Pal Sandhu tomorrow.
[3] Saurav Ghosal (IND) beat 3-0 [Q] Joshua Masters (ENG) | 11-4, 11-2, 11-3 (24 mins)
The home crowd’s favourite, India number one Saurav Ghosal sealed his spot in the quarter-finals with a quick win over England’s Joshua Masters. Masters attempted to use a plethora of shots to try and get Ghosal in a fix, but Ghosal stuck to a simple and clean game in order to win without dropping a game.
PSA M50 Men’s JSW Indian Squash Circuit CCI International 2017, Cricket Club of India, Mumbai, India.
First Round:
[Q] Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND) beat 3-1 [7] Ivan Yuen (MAS) | 4-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 | 51 mins
Joel Makin (WAL) beat 3-2 [6] Chris Simpson (ENG) | 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7 | 84 mins
[Q] Mazen Gamal (EGY) beat 2-1 [4] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) | 4-11, 11-7, 11-3, 8-4 retired | 51 mins
[5] Nicolas Muller (SUI) beat 3-1 [Q] Ammar Altamimi (KUW) | 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7 | 39mins
[WC] Ramit Tondon (IND) beat 3-1 [8] Abdulla Mohd al Tamimi (QAT) | 11-7, 4-11, 11-4, 11-3 | 45 mins
[2] Omar Mosaad (EGY) beat 3-0 Todd Harrity (USA) | 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 | 42 mins
[3] Saurav Ghosal (IND) beat 3-0 [Q] Joshua Masters (ENG) | 11-4, 11-2, 11-3 | 24 mins
[1] Borja Golan (ESP) beat 3-1 [Q] Peter Creed (WAL) | 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-2 | 62 mins
Pictures by NITESH SQUARE (Indian Squash Circuit)