The Hindu : Sport : Joshna wins, Saurav loses

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 24, 2005

Sport

Sport

Joshna wins, Saurav loses

By S.R. Suryanarayan

CHAMPAGNE STUFF: Joshna Chinappa of India (left) and Amir Atlas Khan of Pakistan display their silverware. — Photo: Vino John

CHENNAI, JAN. 23. It was a day of mixed fortunes for India at the Asian junior squash championship here on Sunday. At the ICL-TNSRA courts Joshna Chinappa retained her title while Saurav Ghosal lost at the final hurdle.

In fact it was Joshna who made a shocking start. In front of a good gathering the National champion lost two straight games before getting back into her stride to outclass Annie Au of Hong Kong 5-9, 3-9, 9-0, 9-5, 9-3.

But for Saurav, the Pakistani wonder talent, Amir Atlas Khan proved too much to handle as he lost 9-1, 4-9, 9-3, 9-3. It was a case of the Indian playing to his potential but unable to make an impression on his 15-year-old Pakistani rival, whom experts believe could be the next big name from the land of squash.

Considering that Amir happens to be the nephew of legendary Jansher Khan, his rise to stardom was expected. As his renowned coach Rehmat Khan said, "In Pakistan we have placed high hopes on this kid." And sure enough he gave a sample of what is to come with his amazing all court craft. Try to tie him down to the backcourt and he knows how to bounce back. Test him in the forecourt and he would come with the gentlest of drops to leave his opponent stupefied. There was little the Indian could do except pray that his rival would lose focus!

Amir showed his inexperience by dropping his guard a trifle in the second game and Saurav raced away with the game. But from there on shot for shot, drop for drop and even the variations in pace and length of returns, Amir was one step ahead of the Indian. Remarkable are the youngster's instinct and sense of position, so much so he made even the tightest of returns look graceful.

Saurav too had his moments, some brilliant touches like the few boasts, the wristy taps sending Amir the wrong way and the ability to find the bounce-killing nicks. But that did not suffice. Still the way Amir touched a momentary phase of uncertainty at matchball, the serve repeatedly changing hands, Saurav picked up a few brownie points, even if it was only little consolation.

On the other hand Joshna looked the type who had forgotten she had a repertoire of strokes to demonstrate. The casualness that marked her initial play baffled onlookers even as the diminutive Annie went about business-like collecting points. Pushed to the wall, the Chennai collegian woke up. The soft drops, the imperceptible wrist work and the power packed drives were out to contain the younger rival. In no time, the Hong Kong girl, unable to react to the pace, began back-pedalling.

Winning the third game 9-0, Joshna switched to a different plane as the champion in her surfaced to end the hopes of Annie. Joshna had bagged her second successive Asian title (last year in Islamabad).

The Asian Squash Federation president N. Ramachandran and vice-president Yousef Mohsen gave away the prizes. The team events get underway on Monday.

The results: final: Boys: Amir Atlas Khan (Pak) bt Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 9-1, 4-9, 9-3, 9-3. Girls: Joshna Chinappa (Ind) bt Annie Au (Hk) 5-9, 3-9, 9-0, 9-5, 9-3.

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