Squash News

At PSA World Squash Rankings December 2018,

Men's Rankings (Top 100)
12 Saurav Ghosal
60 Mahesh Mangaonkar
61 Vikram Malhotra
68 Harinder Pal Sandhu
70 Ramit Tandon

Women's Rankings (Top 100)
15 Joshna Chinappa
24 Dipika Pallikal Karthik
99 Sunayna Kuruvilla

In 2018, Saurav showed a terrific consistency ... In this month, he reached his first Platinum class event quarter-final in Cairo ... He rose to #11 and ending his season on #12 ... I think he will climb inside the top-10 in the new year ... Other players failed to show consistency as Mahesh, Vikram, Harry, and Ramit remain around the top-60s.

In the women, Joshna and Dipika remained stagnant and inconsistency slides their rankings ... Dipika is outside the top-20.

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At $180.5K Men's Black Ball Open 2018, Cairo, Egypt (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[QF] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) l (2) Ali Farag (EGY,2) 6-11, 9-11, 3-11 (34m)

A decent performance by Saurav against the in-form WR #2 Ali Farag.

Squash News

At $180.5K Men's Black Ball Open 2018, Cairo, Egypt (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[R3] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) bt (9/16) Omar Mosaad (EGY,18) 11-6, 12-10, 11-1 (36m)

[QF] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) vs (2) Ali Farag (EGY,2)

Saurav enters his first Platinum class event quarter-final in Cairo ... In the third round, he defeated the former WR #3, Omar Mosaadin straight games ... After winning the first game Saurav was down four game-balls in the second, 6-10 ... Saurav played a smart squash and made Omar play an extra ball ... Omar made a lot of unforced errors, Saurav took advantage of it and won 17 points from next 18 points for completing win in the three games ... Next, he is facing in-form WR #2 Ali Farag.

Squash News

At $180.5K Men's Black Ball Open 2018, Cairo, Egypt (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[R1] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) bye
[R2] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) bt Karim Ali Fathi (EGY,44) 11-3, 11-1, 13-11 (36m)

[R3] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) vs (9/16) Omar Mosaad (EGY,18)

Saurav is playing a big Platinum event in Cairo ... After receiving a bye in the first round he started with straight games win over a local player ... In the third round, he is facing the former WR #3, Omar Mosaad, who scored an upset win over the WR #6 Colombian player.

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At $164.5K Women's Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Open 2018, Hong Kong China (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[R3] (14) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) l (3) Nour El Tayeb (EGY,3) 6-11, 4-11, 12-10, 8-11 (41m)

Joshna gave fighting performance against WR #3 Nour El Tayeb in her loss ... Joshna lost in straight games against El Tayeb in her previous matches, but this time she stretched El Tayeb to 4 games.

Squash News

At $164.5K Men's Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Open 2018, Hong Kong China (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[R2] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) l (9/16) Diego Elias (PER,12) 2-11, 3-11, 11-13 (35m)

Saurav failed to find his rhythm against the similar ranked rising Peruvian player, Diego Elias ... Diego took advantage of it and won the 1st two games comfortably ... Saurav tried fightback but Diego make sure that match didn't extend to the 4th game.

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At $164.5K Men's Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Open 2018, Hong Kong China (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[R2] Ramit Tandon (IND,68) l Tom Richards (ENG,28) 7-11, 6-11, 9-1 (32m)

Ramit Tandon lost in straight games against the former top-15 British player, Tom Richards.

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At $164.5K Women's Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Open 2018, Hong Kong China (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[R2] (14) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) bt Milou van der Heijden (NED,34) 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-3 (36m)

[R3] (14) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) vs (3) Nour El Tayeb (EGY,3)

Joshna had a slow start against her Dutch opponent ... She lost the first game but then recovered to win next three games ... Next, she is facing WR #3 Nour El Tayeb.

Squash News

At $164.5K Men's Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Open 2018, Hong Kong China (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[R1] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bye
[R1] Ramit Tandon (IND,68) bt Alan Clyne (SCO,40) 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6 (47m)

[R2] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) vs (9/16) Diego Elias (PER,12)
[R2] Ramit Tandon (IND,68) vs Tom Richards (ENG,28)

As the seeded player, Saurav received bye but having a tricky match against the similar ranked rising Peruvian player, Diego Elias.
Ramit Tandon entered as a lowest ranked player, but he started with an upset win over top-40 Scottish player Clyne in four games ... Next, he is facing the former top-15 British player, Tom Richards.

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At $164.5K Women's Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Open 2018, Hong Kong China (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[R1] (14) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) bye

[R2] (14) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) vs Milou van der Heijden (NED,34)

Joshna has received a bye in the big Hong Kong Open and facing a Dutch opponent in the second round.

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At $28K Men's Kolkata International 2018, India (PSA 30)

P.C. to Squashsite.co.uk site

Final
(1) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bt (2) Zahed Salem (EGY,27) 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-13 11-5 (86m)

Saurav lifted the Kolkata open title in an 86 minutes marathon match against Egyptian, Zahed Salem.

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At $11K Men's APM Kelowna Open 2018, Canada (PSA 10)

Final
(2) Vikram Malhotra (IND,66) bt (4) Robertino Pezzota (ARG,76) 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 11-13, 11-7 (98m)

Vikram lifted another PSA-10 title beating Robertino Pezzota ... Vikram needed to dig deep for completing this hard fought win over the Argentine.

Squash News

At $28K Men's Kolkata International 2018, India (PSA 30)

[R1] (1) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bye
[R1] Abhay Singh (IND,112) l (9/16) Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS,84) 3-11, 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 13-15
[R1] (WC) Aadit Zaveri (IND,205) l (9/16) Christopher Gordon (USA,85) 6-11, 6-11, 11-13
[R1] (9/16) Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND,64) bt Guhan Senthilkumar (IND,274) 11-1, 11-5, 11-3
[R1] Aditya Jagtap (IND,127) l (9/16) Carlos Cornes (ESP,96) 3-11, 16-14, 5-11, 9-11
[R1] (8) Ramit Tandon (IND,68) bye
[R1] (7) Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND,59) bye

[R2] (1) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bt (9/16) Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS,84) 11-9, 11-7, 11-1
[R2] (9/16) Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND,64) l (6) Nathan Lake (ENG,49) 6-11, 8-11, 8-11
[R2] (8) Ramit Tandon (IND,68) l (9/16) Carlos Cornes (ESP,96) 11-7, 11-4, 5-11, 6-11, 7-11
[R2] (7) Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND,59) bt (9/16) Ahmed Hosny (EGY,86) 11-1, 12-10, 12-14, 5-11, 11-8

[QF] (1) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bt (5) Karim El Hammamy (EGY,51) 11-5, 11-7, 11-2
[QF] (7) Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND,59) l (2) Zahed Salem (EGY,27) 11-7, 4-11, 11-9, 8-11, 4-11

[SF] (1) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bt (4) Todd Harrity (USA,48) 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 (41m)

[F] (1) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) vs (2) Zahed Salem (EGY,27)

As expected Saurav is in the final of the Kolkata International ... He won his matches in straight games and facing the 2nd seed Egyptian, Zahed Salem, for the title ... But other hands other Indians failed to take advantage of the home court.

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At $11K Men's APM Kelowna Open 2018, Canada (PSA 10)

[R1] (2) Vikram Malhotra (IND,66) bye
[R2] (2) Vikram Malhotra (IND,66) bt (9/16) Hugo Varela (ESP,182) 11-9, 11-5, 11-4 (25m)
[QF] (2) Vikram Malhotra (IND,66) bt (5) Leonel Cardenas (MEX,110) 9-11, 12-10, 15-13, 13-11 (68m)

[SF] (2) Vikram Malhotra (IND,66) bt (9/16) Leandro Romiglio (ARG,165) 10-12, 11-8, 11-4, 11-9 (60m)

[F] (2) Vikram Malhotra (IND,66) vs Robertino Pezzota (ARG,76)

Vikram continues with his good run in the North American tournaments ... He is in the final and facing the Argentine, Robertino Pezzota ... In the semis he defeated another Argentine Romiglio after losing the first game ... In the quarters, the 18 yrs Mexican kid, Cardenas gave him a tough time.

Squash News

At $177K Men's Qatar Classic 2018, Doha, Qatar (PSA World Tour Platinum)

[R1] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bye
[R2] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bt Leo Au (HKG,22) 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 (29m)

[R3] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) l (2) Ali Farag (EGY,2) 10-12, 4-11, 6-11 (39m)

Saurav continued with his consistent performance... He defeated the top-25 Leo Au in straight games ... In the third round, he gave a decent fight to the WR #2 Ali Farag.

Squash News

At $51K Women's Carol Weymuller Open 2018, New York, USA (World Tour Bronze)

[QF] (8) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) l (1) Nour El Tayeb (EGY,3) 4-11, 11-4, 3-11, 2-11 (31m)

Joshna lost in four games against the WR #3 Nour El Tayeb ... A decent fight from Joshana to win the second game but Nour was ruthless in the next two games.

Squash News

At $106K Men's St George's Hill Classic 2018, Weybridge, Surrey, England (World Tour Gold)

[QF] (7) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) l (4) Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY,10) 7-11, 3-11, 8-11 (39m)

Karim Abdel Gawad didn't give much chance to Saurav in this match and played a quality squash for winning in three games.

Squash News

At $106K Men's St George's Hill Classic 2018, Weybridge, Surrey, England (World Tour Gold)

[R1] (7) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bye
[R2] (7) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bt (9/16) Mathieu Castagnet (FRA,26) 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 (42m)

[R3] (7) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) vs (4) Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY,10)

Saurav played a fluid match against the former top-10 French player, Mathieu Castagnet for straight games win ... Next, he is having a match against Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad.

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At $51K Women's Carol Weymuller Open 2018, New York, USA (World Tour Bronze)

[R1] (8) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) bye
[R2] (8) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) bt (9/16) Mariam Metwally (EGY,22) 11-3, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5

[R3] (8) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) vs (1) Nour El Tayeb (EGY,3)

Joshna started with a four games win over her Egyptian opponent, Mariam Metwall ... In the third round, she is facing WR #3 Nour El Tayeb.

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At $28K Men's Chicago Open 2018, USA

[R1] (9/16) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bt (WC) Chris Fuller (ENG,319) 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 (49m)

[R2] (9/16) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) l (3) Campbell Grayson (NZL,41) 9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 7-11 (56m)

Vikram lost in four games against the top-50 Campbell Grayson ... Before that, he started with straight games win over the former top-100 British player, Chris Fuller.

Squash News

At $169K Women's US Open 2018, Philadelphia, USA

[R3] (16) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) l (8) Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG,8) 5-11, 8-11, 10-12 (28m)

Joshna lost in straight games against Sarah-Jane Perry.

Squash News

At $169K Men's US Open 2018, Philadelphia, USA

[R3] Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) l (1) Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY,1) 5-11, 14-16, 9-11 (51m)

Saurav lost in straight games but after giving a tough fight to WR #1 Mohamed Elshorbagy ... But on other note, he is still searching for his first win against Elshorbagy since 2008.

Squash News

At $169K Women's US Open 2018, Philadelphia, USA

[R1] (16) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) bye

[R2] Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND,23) l (3) Nour El Tayeb (EGY,3) 6-11, 5-11, 9-11 (23m)
[R2] (16) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) bt Julianne Courtice (ENG,46) 󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 6-11, 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 11-3 (52m)

[R3] (16) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) vs (8) Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG,8)

Joshna needed to dig deep for a comeback win in five games over her British opponent ... Julianne was 2-1 up and had match ball in the fourth game before Joshna made a strong comeback in the match ... Next, she is facing WR #8 British player, Sarah-Jane Perry.
Dipika lost in straight games against WR #3 Nour El Tayeb.

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At $169K Men's US Open 2018, Philadelphia, USA

[R2] Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bt Tom Richards (ENG,30) 11-4, 11-8, 11-3 (42m)

[R3] Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) vs (1) Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY,1)

Saurav scored straight games win in a longish match over Britisher Tom Richards ... Next, he is having a really tough one against WR #1 Mohamed Elshorbagy.

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At $11K Men's Texas Open 2018, Houston, USA

Final
(4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bt (87) Daniel Mekbib (CZE,119) 11-6, 2-11, 5-11, 15-13, 1-11

Vikram lifted back to back the title after saving a match-ball against Daniel Mekbib ... This is Vikram's the 8th PSA title.

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At $169K Women's US Open 2018, Philadelphia, USA

[R1] Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND,23) bt Danielle Letourneau (CAN,41) 11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4 (47m)

[R2] Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND,23) vs (3) Nour El Tayeb (EGY,3)

Dipika required five games to overcome the challenge of her Canadian opponent, Danielle Letourneau ... In the second round, she is facing WR #3 Nour El Tayeb.

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At $169K Men's US Open 2018, Philadelphia, USA

[R1] Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bye

[R2] Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) vs Tom Richards (ENG,30)

Saurav received a bye in the first round and next, he is facing Britisher Tom Richards.

Squash News

At $11K Men's Texas Open 2018, Houston, USA

[R1] (1) Ramit Tandon (IND,59) bye
[R1] (4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bye

[R2] (1) Ramit Tandon (IND,59) bt (9/16) Leandro Romiglio (ARG,180) 13-11, 11-6, 11-5
[R2] (4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bt (9/16) Syed Hamzah Shah Bukhari (PAK,197) 11-5, 11-3, 11-5

[QF] (1) Ramit Tandon (IND,59) l (8) Shahjahan Khan (PAK,112) 7-11, 4-7 retd.
[QF] (4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bt (9/16) Reuben Phillips (ENG,163) 11-4, 11-5, 11-9

[SF] (4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bt (8) Shahjahan Khan (PAK,112) 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6 (55m)

[F] (4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) vs (87) Daniel Mekbib (CZE,119)

Vikram is in another final of $10K tournament and facing Czech player, Daniel Mekbib ... Ramit retired from his match in the quarters against Pakistani player, Shahjahan Khan ... Vikram defeated Shahjahan Khan in four games for the place in the final.

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At $118K Men's Oracle NetSuite Open 2018, San Francisco, USA

[R1] (9/16) Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) bt Campbell Grayson (NZL,41) 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 (49m)

[R1] Saurav Ghosal (IND,11) l (3) Tarek Momen (EGY,4) 11-9, 6-11, 11-2, 5-11, 7-11 (71m)

Saurav's consistency on the professional tour take him to his new career high ranking, WR #11 ... He missed an opportunity of scoring an upset top-5 win over Tarek Momen, as he lost in five games after leading 2-1.

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At $125K Men's JP Morgan China Open 2018, Shanghai, China

[R1] (5) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) bye
[R2] (5) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) bt (9/16) Greg Lobban (SCO,34) 5-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8 (71m)
[QF] (5) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) bt (9/16) Raphael Kandra (GER,19) 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 (52m)

[SF] (5) Saurav Ghosal (IND,12) l (6) Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY,9) 8-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-3, 8-11 (63m)

Saurav reached into the semis in China Open before losing to in-form Mohamed Abouelghar in five games.

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At $120.5K Women's JP Morgan China Open 2018, Shanghai, China

[R1] (9/16) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) bt Donna Lobban (AUS,17) 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 (36m)
[R2] (9/16) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) bt (4) Joelle King (NZL,5) 4-11, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8 (61m)

[QF] (9/16) Joshna Chinappa (IND,14) l (5) Camille Serme (FRA,4) 3-11, 5-11, 9-11 (26m)

Joshna scored a really good win over WR #5 Joelle King after saving a match ball in the fourth game ... But in the quarters, she lost in straight games against WR #4 French girl, Camille Serme.

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At $88K Women's Oracle NetSuite Open 2018, San Francisco, USA

[R1] (9/16) Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND,23) l Nadine Shahin (EGY,32) 7-11, 7-11, 9-11 (23m)

A bad loss for Dipika against lower ranked Shahin.

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At $11K Men's Aspin Cup 2018, Charlottetown, Canada

[R1] (4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bye
[R2] (4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bt Jamie Ruggiero (USA,287) 11-5, 11-6, 11-0 (23m)
[QF] (4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bt (8) Reiko Peter (SUI,104) 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7 (47m)
[SF] (4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bt (2) Alfredo Avila (MEX,68) 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 11-3 (50m)

Final
(4) Vikram Malhotra (IND,72) bt (3) Mostafa Asal (EGY,62) 11-3, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9

Vikram won his 7th PSA title in Canada ... In the final, he defeated the 17 yrs. old and current junior World Champion Egyptian Mostafa Asal in four games.