British Open squash: Ghosal sails into second round

London: Saurav Ghosal started off his British Open campaign in London on a winning note as he sailed past the first round against Junior Squash Champion Marwan El Shorbagy from Egypt in straight sets.

Saurav took charge of the game from the first point itself and played his natural aggressive game. His speed around court and tremendous retrieving won him a tight first game. The Indian Numero Uno saw off the potential threat in the remaining games with ease from the Egyptian.

After one point Marwan turned to his elder brother in the crowd and held out his hands in a “what do I have to do” gesture. The last rally summed it up with Marwan trying everything he could but Saurav getting to everything until a dispirited error finished the match off 11-7, 11-6, 11-5.

“I knew I’d have to play well,” said Saurav who had Malcolm Willstrop in his corner, “I tried to be clinical from the start and it worked pretty well. Playing Peter will be tough, but there’s no shortage of incentive with a quarter-final in the British Open for the winner, so hopefully I can play well again and it will be a good match.”