2021 Platinum Reports REPORTS

R2: Ghosal in control over Richards

R2: [9/16] Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 3-0 Tom Richards (Eng) 11-3, 11-8, 11-5 (42m)

Apart from going 0-5 down in the second, Saurav Ghosal in charge as he beats Tom Richards in three.

Frantic pace, Frantic Squash!

A very frustrated Tom Richards left the court today. And it was not because of two strokes that were given against him which he loudly contested – not his style normally. He was frustrated because he hardly put a foot wrong, and yet, couldn’t stop the Indian Freightt Train today.

Jzzz, whatever Saurav is putting in his food, I WANT SOME. Incredible frantic pace from start to finish, no errors in either first two games, and only a couple in the third.

As he mentioned, mirroring his lead in the first game, 5/0, he went down on the same score in the second, but recovered at 6/6, and just overtook the Englishman that today, gave it everything, seriously running for England way and back, but just couldn’t find any way to contain his opponent today.

 

Saurav: “It’s my first match since November in Qatar. I got injured over there so it is always good to come out with a 3-0 win against a quality player like Tom. I am just happy to get through 3-0. The body is feeling okay and that is the big positive for me.

“I think, mentally I was pretty good, especially in the second game when I was 5-0 down. I felt like he hit some really good shots and I didn’t do much wrong, but I stuck with it and I came back. That is going to be really important going through the tournament so hopefully I can keep that mental strength, fortitude, going.

“England are a fantastic sporting nation. I think the Cricket World Cup in India is going to be fantastic. I think it is fair to say that on paper, India and England are the two best team. Obviously I hope India wins, but personally, it is good to win, but I think it is fun that we have sport. It is a great release for us as players as well as those watching. I watch a lot of sport myself and it has helped a lot in the times we live in. Hopefully things will go back to normal very, very soon.”