Jakarta: India’s squash singles campaign in the Asian Games yielded three bronze medals after Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Palikal and Joshna Chinappa lost their respective semifinal clashes here Saturday.
Ghosal frittered away a two-set advantage to lose the men’s singles semifinal after Dipika and Joshna suffered defeats against higher-ranked players in the women’s singles semifinals.
Ghosal was going great guns but lost 12-10, 13-11, 6-11, 6-11, 6-11 to Chun Ming Au from Hong Kong in an intense semifinal encounter that lasted for over an hour.
Ghosal said he suffered an injury in his left leg towards the end of the second set and that took away the intensity’ from him.
“I don’t want make excuses but it’s hurting badly. Against this player (Au), you need to have high intensity. Towards the end of the second game it flared and I lost my intensity. But credit to him for fighting back after losing two sets,” Ghosal said.
Dipika lost her semifinal to Malaysian great Nicol David 11-7, 11-9, 11-6, one of the most formidable players the game has ever seen. Nicol’s agility, movement and anticipation were too good for Dipika.
“She is experienced and knows how to handle every situation, thrown at her. She was World No.1 for 10 years for a reason. I am happy I played well. It’s unfortunate that I was in her half in the draw,” Dipika said after her match.
Joshna was also up against a Malaysian in Sivasangari Subramaniam, who emerged a 12-10, 11-6, 11-9 winner. It was Joshna’s maiden singles Asian Games medal for Joshna, who returned empty-handed in the previous three editions.
“The umpiring was dodgy. I have always felt like this when this referee is there. Anyway, Siva really played well. I have waited for this (medal) for long. So I am really happy,” Joshna said.