Mahesh, Zahed march into semi-finals

Second seed Mahesh Mangaonkar of India and top seed Zahed Ahmed of Egypt relentlessly moved into the semi-finals of the JSW PSA Indian Squash Circuit second leg at the Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana here today.
Mangaonkar, currently ranked 63rd on the Professional Squash Association circuit, got past Malaysian qualifier Valentino Bon Jovi Bong 3-1 (11-7 12-10 8-11 11-5) in 52 minutes after Ahmed Ahmed despatched Muhammad Asim Khan of Pakistan, also a qualifier, 3-0 (11-6 11-9 11-7) in 47 minutes.
Mangaonkar had beaten compatriot Sandeep Jangra 3-0 (11-3 11-5 11-6) in the last quarter-final late last night.
In a major upset, another Malaysian qualifier Sanjay Singh fought back from 1-2 deficit to oust third seed Kristuan Frost Olesen of Denmark and enter the semi finals.

Singh subdued his Danish rival, ranked 64 on the Professional Squash Association circuit, 7-11 11-9 9-11 11-5 12-10 in the best-of-five-game quarter-final game that lasted one minute under an hour and a half.
"It was a long game...Long and brutal. It's not easy playing him. He's a fit player, who likes to play long rallies. It wasn't easy finishing him off. All I had to do was make the rally long and hard, push him front, back, front, back, and stay mentally strong," said the Malaysian, who is to meet Zahed Ahmed in the semis tomorrow.

In the WSA Tour 5 event held concurrently French woman Laura Pomportes easily overcame Sammer Anjum of Pakistan 3-0 (11-3 11-3 11-4), the match lasting just 18 minutes, to reach the semi-finals.

Anjum said she was very happy to be playing in Mumbai.
"I'm really happy to be here. This is my first tournament of the circuit. Today's match wasn't good. I mean, I played good and got good experience. I'm ready for the next two tournaments. I hope I play well and give my best," said Anjum.
In another quarter-final between the finalists of the first leg at Jaipur, opening tournament winner Nouran El Torky of Egypt again stamped her authority on Cheyna Tucker of South Africa 3-1 (11-3 8-11 11-9 11-8) in 58 minutes.