Saurav Ghosal bows out of Squash World Championship

Having beaten World No.20 Ryan Cuskelly in the first round, Ghosal entered the duel against former training partner and idol James Willstrop hoping for a place in the last 16 of the competition. However, a clinical performance from the former World No.1 dashed all the hopes of the Indian squash ace. In three straight games lasting 41 minutes, Willstrop showed his class and experience with a commanding display against the Indian.

Willstrop started the match with a series of powerful shots racing to a lead of 5 -1. Struggling with his aggressive display, Ghosal was forced to play a defensive game. However, consecutive errors from the Englishman did offer Ghosal a way back into the game, but a series of clinical back hand drops from Willstrop swung the game in favour of him.

The second game was a similar story. Ghosal’s errors once again gave Willstrop a 3– 0 lead. With Willstrop forcing him into all four corners of the court, the Indian changed tactics and forced Willstrop into making errors. However, his good run only lasted for a few minutes as the Englishman regained control of the game to win it 7-11.

Ghosal’s campaign at the Men’s World Squash Championships was all but over when Willstrop raced into a lead of 10- 4 in the third and final game. Barring a trick shot between the legs, Ghosal’s most impressive display in the match, the Indian could only put up a token display as Willstrop finished the match 3-0.