Birmingham: Saurav Ghosal created history as he won India’s first-ever singles medal in squash during ongoing Commonwealth Games. Ghosal humbled former world No. 1 James Willstrop of England 11-6 11-1 11-4. Joshna Chinappa and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu progressed to the pre-quarterfinals of the mixed doubles. The duo downed Sri Lanka’s Yeheni Kuruppu and Ravindu Laksiri 8-11 11-4 11-3.
Willstrop, now 38 and ranked 24, was visibly fatigued after an exhaustive tournament so far. He tried to play aggressive from the start, but the fleet-footed Ghosal was ready to chase down everything his opponent would send his way in a fine defensive display. The long rallies started to tire Willstrop and draw an error.
He did win a silver medal in mixed doubles at Gold Coast 2018, but is now the only Indian squash player to win an individual medal.
