Asiad squash: Ghosal marches into men's singles final

Saurav Ghosal thrashed his Malaysian opponent in straight sets in the squash men's singles semifinals at the Yeorumul Squash Courts here Monday in the 17th Asian Games and was eyeing the gold in Tuesday's final.

Ghosal, the top seed, comprehensively defeated Ong Beng Hee 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 in just 45 minutes to become first Indian squash player to reach the final at Asian Games.

The 28-year-old Ghosal, who had shared 2010 Asiad bronze with Beng Hee, started the first game positively, winning it 11-9.

Ghosal, who had also won the singles bronze at the 2006 Asiad, didn't give many chances to the 2002 and 2006 Asian Games champion Beng Hee to win the next two games 11-4, 11-5.

In the final to be held Tuesday, the 28-year-old Indian will meet the winner between Kuwait's Almezayen Abdullah and Hong Kong's Yin Ho Lee.

Apart from the individual competition, the World No.16 Ghosal also has the onus of leading India's challenge in the team event.

Indian team had won bronze in Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010.

Earlier in the day, India's top female player Dipika Pallikal settled for bronze after losing the semi-final match 4-11, 4-4 and 5-11 to World No.1 Nicol David of Malaysia.