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15th Asian Games
Doha
, Qatar
10th to 14th December 2006

Reports

Quarters
India's Ghosal Gets In The Medals In Doha

India is set to win its first squash medal in the 15th Asian Games after Saurav Ghosal upset his higher-seeded compatriot Ritwik Bhattacharya in the quarter-finals at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar.

 

In the only match of the day fought out between two nationals, 3/4 seed Bhattacharya took on the fast-improving Ghosal, the 5/8 seed making his debut in the Games.  At 4-2 in the first game, Ritwik sustained a slight nick on his nose – which resulted in a delay while the injury was attended to.

 

Once play resumed, 20-year-old Ghosal zipped around the court, playing delightful lengths and awesome finishing shots to take the first game.  The second was no contest as the youngster, who is studying at Leeds University in the UK, romped home to extend his lead without dropping a point.

 

Saurav's drops were tight and low and the lethargic Ritwik was not able to cope.  Being two games down, however, seemed to spur Bhattacharya on as he came back fighting, forcing Ghosal to make a string of errors.  This, coupled with the more experienced player's own attacking drop shots, led Bhattacharya to take the third game.

 

The fourth game was fought neck and neck, but Ghosal's consistency shone through as he romped to a 9-4, 9-0, 6-9, 9-7 victory in 69 minutes to guarantee himself at least a bronze medal.

 

"It was a well-deserved victory for Saurav," said ASF Technical Delegate Major Maniam.

 

The Indian national champion from Chennai will now face Malaysia's defending champion Ong Beng Hee for a place in the men's final.   It was shaky start for the No2 seed in his first match of the championship, but once the four-times Asian champion settled down against Ali Alramezi, he soon earned a comfortable win, beating the 5/8 seed from Kuwait 9-6, 9-1, 9-0.

 

The other men's semi-final will also have Malaysian interest after favourite Mohd Azlan Iskandar beat Pakistan's 5/8 seed Aamir Atlas Khan 9-7, 9-5, 9-2 in the final match of the day. 

 

It was a matter of "the best being saved for the last" as, just a few weeks ago, Iskandar had lost to the 16-year-old in Pakistan.  It was time for revenge for the world No 13.  What started promisingly ended tamely, however, with the Malaysian stamping his authority right from the start with effective short straight and cross court drives and some delicately executed straight drops.

 

Iskandar will take on another Pakistani, 3/4 seed Mansoor Zaman, after the silver medallist in 2002 beat Hong Kong's Wai Hang Wong 9-7, 9-5, 10-8.

 

In the women's event, the eager crowd was able to see favourite Nicol David in action for the first time.  Fresh from her success in last month's World Open Championship in Belfast, the world number one from Malaysia opened her 2006 Asian Games campaign against South Korea's Eun Ok Park – and comfortably beat the 5/8 seed 9-0, 9-0, 9-4.

 

David will face Christina Mak for a place in her third final in a row after the 3/4 seed from Hong Kong beat Japan's Mami Nishio 9-7, 9-1, 9-3.

 

Defending women's gold medallist Rebecca Chiu, of Hong Kong, made short work of Joshna Chinappa – beating the Indian No1 9-3, 9-1, 9-2.  Chiu, the second seed, now meets Malaysia's 3/4 seed Sharon Wee, the 9-3, 9-2, 9-2 winner over Japan's Chinatsu Matsui.


Day 1

Top Seeds Safely Through In Doha

The top seeds successfully overcame their initial hurdles in the squash championships in the 15th Asian Games at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar.

 

The championships, which have attracted the region's top squash players, boast an elite international field – led by Malaysia's world number one and world champion Nicol David in the women's event and Mohd Azlan Iskandar, also from Malaysia, the world No13 in the men's.

 

David, with a bye in the first round, has yet to make her debut in the 2006 event – but her great rival Rebecca Chiu, the title-holder from Hong Kong, today eased into the last eight with a 9-2, 9-6, 9-1 victory over China's Zhenzhen Wu in 14 minutes.

 

Indian star Joshna Chinappa faced a tough first round opponent in Eun Chan Ahn.  The South Korean was quick and hit some brilliant winners from all parts of the court – severely testing the 20-year-old 5/8 seed from Chennai who, according to Indian National Coach Cyrus Poncha, was "well below par".

 

Chinappa clinched the match 10-8, 4-9, 9-7, 9-4 after 44 minutes – and will now face Rebecca Chiu for a place in the semi-finals.

 

The top two seeds in the men's event claimed their quarter-final places in contrasting styles.  Favourite Iskandar defeated 24-year-old South Korean Kim Sung Young 9-3, 9-2, 9-0 in 26 minutes while fellow Malaysian Ong Beng Hee, the defending champion who is seeded two, walked into the last eight after being handed a walkover by Ahmad Al Zabidi, from Jordan.

 

Kuwaiti Ali Alramezi has not had the ideal preparation for his quarter-final clash with Ong Beng Hee.  The 19-year-old 5/8 seed from Kuwait City twice had to fight from behind to beat Hong Kong's Roger Ngan 2-9, 9-1, 2-9, 9-2, 9-1 in a 61-minute marathon – the longest match of the round.

Asian Squash Hero Jahangir Khan Witnesses Start Of Asian Games

Asian squash legend Jahangir Khan celebrated his 43rd birthday today (Sunday) at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar, where he attended the first day's play in the sport in the 15th Asian Games.
 

Khan, the record ten-times British Open champion from Pakistan who is now President of the World Squash Federation (WSF), was joined by Asian Squash Federation (ASF) President Mr N Ramachandran.

 

There were no surprises in the completed first round of the men's event and the top half of the draw in the women's championship. 

 

Sun Kin Peng, of Macau, was the only winner taken to more than three games when Lebanon 's Michel Zeinaty clinched the second to level the match.  After a tough third game, Peng extended his lead before securing a place in the second round after a 9-4, 3-9, 9-7, 9-4 victory.

 

After a bye in the first round, Malaysia 's Ong Beng Hee begins his men's title defence on Monday against Jordan 's Ahmad Al Zabidi.  Beng Hee, the No2 seed, is expected to meet compatriot Mohd Azlan Iskandar, the top seed, in the final on Thursday.

 

Although the top half of the women's event took place today, with the lower half being played on Monday, favourite Nicol David will not enter the fray until the quarter-finals on Tuesday after receiving a first round bye.  The 23-year-old Malaysian arrives in Qatar as the World champion for the second successive year, after clinching the title in sensational style last month in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

 

David is eager to reclaim the Asian Games title from Hong Kong rival Rebecca Chiu.  Winner of her fifth successive Asian Championship title earlier this year in Taiwan , David surrendered her Games crown to Chiu in the 2002 event in South Korea – and is expected to face the second seed in the women's final at the Khalifa Complex.

 

"It was a fine start to a wonderfully-organised event," said ASF Technical Director Major Maniam.  "Local officials Mr Khalid Obaidly and Mr Gamal Jasem have worked relentlessly to ensure a smooth running of the event."

Men's Draw
Men's Seeding

Women's Draw
Women's Seeding


Reports
Day 1
Quarters
Semis
Final
Previews

Schedule

 

Men's Draw
15th ASIAN GAMES 2006
First Round
 
Second Round
 
Quarters
 
Semis
 
Final
 
Mohd Azlan Iskandar  (MAS)
v
Bye
Mohd Azlan Iskandar
9-3, 9-2, 9-0 (26m)
KIM Sung Youn
Mohd Azlan Iskandar
9-7, 9-5, 9-2 (43m)
Amir Atlas KHAN
Mohd Azlan Iskandar
v
Mansoor ZAMAN
 

Hussain Khalil ALI (BRN)
9-5, 9-1, 9-4
KIM Sung Young (KOR)

Navin  SAMARASINGHE  (SRI)
9-4, 9-7, 9-0
ALI-A Shahaib (IRQ)
Navin SAMARASINGHE
9-2, 9-0, 9-5 (26m)
Amir Atlas KHAN
AL MISKI Ali (LIB)
9-0, 9-0, 9-1
KHAN Amir (PAK)
Wai Hang WONG (HKG)
9-0, 9-0, 9-0
AL MALKI Abdulrahman (QAT)
Wai Hang WONG
9-1, 9-3, 9-2 (19m)
SUN KIN PENG
Wai Hang WONG
9-7, 9-5, 10-8 (56m)

Mansoor ZAMAN
SUN KIN PENG ((MAC)
9-4, 3-9, 9-7, 9-4
AL MEZAYEN Abdullah (KUW)
Ricky ESPINOLA(PHI)
w/o
AL ZBAIDI Mohammad (JOR)
Ricky ESPINOLA
9-0, 9-1, 9-0 (15m)
Mansoor ZAMAN
Bye
v
Mansoor ZAMAN (PAK)
Ritwik BHATTACHARYA  (IND)
v
Bye
Ritwik BHATTACHARYA
9-1, 9-2, 9-1 (19m)
Eranga Alwis

Ritwik BHATTACHARYA
9-4, 9-0, 6-9, 9-7 (69m)
Saurav Ghosal  
Saurav Ghosal
v
ONG Beng Hee
AL SAMAHEJI Eyad (BRN)
9-2, 9-3, 9-3
Eranga Nuwan Alwis (SRI)
KIM Dong Woo (KOR)
9-1, 9-1, 9-4
AL MARRI Abdulhadi (QAT)
KIM Dong Woo
9-0, 9-3, 9-1 (30m)
Saurav Ghosal
AMANTE Armando (MAC)
9-0, 9-3, 9-0
Saurav GHOSAL (IND)
Ali Alramezi  (KUW)
9-2, 9-4, 9-5
GARCIA Robert  (PHI)
Ali Alramezi
2-9, 9-1, 2-9, 9-2, 9-1 (61m)
Roger Ngan
Ali Alramezi
9-6, 9-1, 9-0 (22m)
ONG Beng Hee
MOUIEN H Nasser (IRQ)
v
Roger Ngan (HKG)

Ahmad AL ZABIDI (JOR)
w/o
CAI Pinghua (CHN)

Ahmad AL ZABIDI
w/o
ONG Beng Hee

ONG Beng Hee (MAS)
v
Bye

Men's Seeding
1
ISKANDAR MohamadAzlan (MAS)
2
ONG Beng Hee (MAS)
3/4 BHATTACHARYA Ritwik (IND)
3/4
ZAMAN Mansoor (PAK)
5/8
WONG Wai Hang (HKG)
5/8
GHOSAL Saurav (IND)
5/8
AL RAMEZI Ali Bader (KUW)
5/8
KHAN Amir (PAK)

 

WOMEN'S DRAW
15th ASIAN GAMES 2006
 
Round One
11th Dec
Quarters
12th Dec
Semis
13th Dec
Final
14th Dec
Nicol David   (MAS)
v
Bye
Nicol David
9-0, 9-0, 9-4 (22m)
Eun Ok Park
Nicol David
v
Christina Mak
 

TORO Dareen (LIB)
9-0, 9-0, 9-0
Eun Ok Park   (KOR)

Mami Nishio (JPN)
9-1, 9-2, 9-1
GURUGE Nirasha (SRI)

Mami Nishio
9-7, 9-1, 9-3 (36m)
Christina Mak
CHAN Si Man Wendy (MAC)
9-2, 9-4, 9-3
Christina Mak  (HKG)
Sharon Wee (MAS)
9-0, 9-0, 9-0 (11m)
KUOK Chi Leng Joyce(MAC)
Sharon Wee
9-3, 9-2, 9-2 (29m)
Chinatsu Matsui
Sharon Wee
v
Rebecca Chiu
GURUGE Tehani (SRI)
9-0, 9-2, 9-3 (19m)
Chinatsu Matsui (JPN)
Joshna Chinappa  (IND)
10-8, 4-9, 9-7, 9-4 (44m)
AHN Eun Tschan (KOR)
Joshna Chinappa
9-3, 9-1, 9-2 (21m)
Rebecca Chiu
WU Zhenzhen (CHN)
9-2, 9-6, 9-1 (14m)
Rebecca Chiu (HKG)

Women's Seedings
1 DAVID Nicol Ann (MAS)

2 CHIU Wing Yin (HKG)
3/4 WEE Sharon Ee Lin (MAS)
3/4 MAK Pui Hin (HKG)
5/8 PARK Eun Ok (KOR)
5/8 CHINAPPA Joshana (IND)
5/8 MATSUI Chinatsu(JPN)
5/8 NISHIO Mami (JPN)

 


Previews

World Champion David & Iskandar Set For Asian Games Malaysian Double

After a short break to celebrate her successful defence of the World Open Squash Championship title in Belfast on Sunday, Malaysian Nicol David must set her sights on reclaiming a major title she does not hold, at the Asian Games in Qatar in December.

David and compatriot Mohd Azlan Iskandar have been named as top squash seeds in the sport's third appearance in the quadrennial Asian Games, in Doha from 10-14 December.

In the 2002 Games in Busan, South Korea, Nicol David suffered a rare loss in the women's final to Rebecca Chiu, the Hong Kong number one whom she is seeded to meet in the Doha final. The anticipated meeting would also be a repeat of the 1998 final, which was won by the Malaysian.

"The Asian Games is very important to me, in a different way from the World Open," said David after her epic 95-minute five-game victory over Australia's three-times Commonwealth Games gold medallist Natalie Grinham at the Ulster Hall in the Northern Ireland capital.

"You are part of your country's whole team of athletes from a number of different sports. There's been a huge build-up the Games – and winning something like that is a whole different feeling," said the 23-year-old from Penang whose second World Open title triumph stretched her unbeaten international run to 33 matches!

After a bye in the first round, David is expected to go on to face Hong Kong's Christina Mak in the semi-finals, before the anticipated final clash with Chiu.

Top men's seed Iskandar, whose only previous performance in the event was a semi-final finish four years ago, is expected to meet Malaysian rival Ong Beng Hee, the defending champion, in the final.

The pair will face stiff competition, however, from Pakistanis Mansoor Zaman and Aamir Atlas Khan, seeded 3/4 and 5/8, respectively, and Indians Ritwik Bhattacharya and the Saurav Ghosal, also seeded 3/4 and 5/8.

The Asian Games draw was made on in Chennai, India - conducted at the Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu in Chennai by Ms Apoorva, IAS (Indian Administrative Service), Member Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu (which is equivalent to Director of Sports, Tamilnadu), in the presence of The President of the Asian Squash Federation (ASF); the Secretary General of the ASF; and the Technical Delegate for the 15th Asian Games, Doha.

The seedings were set by Major Maniam, Director of Coaching, ASF; Tony Choi, Deputy Director of Coaching, ASF; and Fahim Gul Khan, Deputy Director of Coaching, ASF.

 


 

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