No surprises

Joshna Chinappa and Saurav Ghosal triumphed as expected. This was Joshna’s eighth title and Saurav’s fourth. V. V. Subrahmanyam reports.

She is only 22. But Joshna Chinappa of Tamil Nadu has already picked up eight national squash singles titles. The latest came in the 56th ICL Senior national championship at Secunderabad Club (Hyderabad), where she demolished the challenge of Dipika Pallikal (TN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-2 in just under 24 minutes.

There was no doubt about her ability to win another national title. But what was very discernible was her hunger to conquer. “Being a national champion is always a great feeling. Though my first title at 14 stands special for obvious reasons, let me remind you that I don’t go on to the court for a stroll. You need to be focussed and I was happy to win the title once again,” Joshna said.

Joshna displayed talent in plenty. The remarkable feature was her ability to combine grace, power and precision to be the indisputable champion. And though Dipika looked out of sorts she could not be blamed, for she was up against an opponent who meant business. The deception in Joshna’s drive-ins on both flanks, the uncanny precision while going for the ‘boasts’ and most importantly her amazing fitness level were what separated her from Dipika.

There was a time in the second game when the match looked close, but it was because of some unforced errors from the champion player. But after the scores were level at seven-all, she changed gears to wrap up the final. When Joshna said that no national championship is gifted away and that every national title has to be earned, she was only trying to put things in perspective.

“There is plenty of talent and I believe that these young girls with the required exposure at higher levels will come of age. For instance, Dipika did play some really good strokes,” Joshna said.

“She is not moving out of my way,” Joshna shouted a few times. In fact, that was the only hurdle the national champion had to cross during the final as she finally made everyone move out of her way to remain the queen of Indian squash.

In the end, it was a repeat final, with the result being the same as last year. After all, Joshna was determined not to change the script. “Every National is a different proposition and one needs to be consistent over the years to win these titles. I am happy that I am able to do that,” she said.

Defending champion Saurav Ghosal (Tamil Nadu) warded off a spirited challenge from Siddarth Suchde (Maharashtra) to win the men’s final 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4. This was Ghosal’s fourth successive crown.

The men’s final was exciting and tested the physical endurance of the two competitors. But Saurav was more organised both in defence and with those stunning drive-ins, especially on the left flank. There were some uncertain moments in the beginning as both contested the referees’ judgements of ‘lets’.

The way the final started it looked as if Saurav was in for trouble as Siddarth matched him stroke for stroke. It looked as if he was in the mood to repeat his semifinal showing when he knocked out the second seeded Ritwik Bhattacharya.

The deftness with which he played the drops to unsettle Saurav’s rhythm was a tribute to Siddarth and he clinched the first game 13-11. With the long rallies confined to the left-flank, it was the Maharashtra boy who had the better of the Doha Asian Games bronze medallist with some clever interceptions.

However, once Saurav got his act together in the second game, it was a different story altogether. “I think the decisive moment came in the second game when I levelled the scores at eight with a drop shot,” Saurav pointed out.

With Saurav on song, Siddarth committed quite a few unforced errors. Siddarth’s strategy of going for the ‘side boasts’ too did not click as Saurav proved equal to the task and went on to win their 77-minute duel.

“I dedicate this win to my grandparents — Dr. S. B. N. Ghosal and Dina Ghosal,” an elated Saurav said.

One of the big upsets in the men’s singles was Mahesh Mangaonkar of Maharashtra, ranked No. 2 in the European circuit in the under-15 category, shocking the eighth-seeded Vikas Jangra of Services 7-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6, 11-4 in the pre-quarterfinals. This 14-year-old prodigy, playing his first Nationals, showed remarkable will to wrap up the issue in 55 minutes.

In the pro-category, the 23-year-old A. Parthiban ended the dream run of B. Balamurugan, who had won the national title 10 times in a row before this edition, with a 12-10, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 victory in 48 minutes and lifted the title in his maiden appearance. “It was a different and thoroughly enjoyable experience, for he happens to be my former coach,” said a delighted Parthiban.

Tamil Nadu’s dominance was complete when it comprehensively won the team championship 2-0 over Services with Harinder Pal Singh and Saurav Ghosal ensuring there were no surprises.

Chennai’s Harinder Pal Singh, up against the Services’ No. 2 Vikas Jangra, had to fight hard to record a 11-13, 12-10, 11-2, 11-6 win in the first match. In the second, Saurav took just about 20 minutes to get through 11-3, 11-2, 11-7 against Sandeep Jangra. A delighted Tamil Nadu manager, K. Srikanth, said, “it was not a match at all. There was no real fight.” Tamil Nadu won the team title for the third time in a row and for the fourth time in all.

The ResultsAll Finals:

Men: Saurav Ghosal (TN) bt Siddarth Suchde (Maha) 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4.

Women: Joshna Chinappa (TN) bt Dipika Pallikal (TN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-2.

Pro category: A. Parthiban (TN) bt B. Balamurugan (TN) 12-10, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8.

Team championship: Final: Tamil Nadu bt Services 2-0 (Harinder Pal Singh bt Vikas Jangra 11-13, 12-10, 11-2, 11-6; Saurav Ghosal bt Sandeep Jangra 11-3, 11-2, 11-7). Third place: Delhi bt West Bengal 2-1 (Suhail Kapoor bt Gaurav Narvan 11-9, 11-7, 11-4; Amjad Khan lost to Dalip Tripathi 6-11, 11-9, 7-11; Rishi Jalan bt Rishabh Mundra 11-9, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7).