India storm into World Team Squash quarters

Bengaluru, December 1: India bounced back quickly from the opening round qualifier loss to Malaysia as they stunned Germany 2-1 and entered the quarterfinal of the World Squash Federation (WSF) World Men's Team Championship.

Despite the loss to Malaysia, India made it to the round of 16 as the second qualifier from the group as they beat Austria.

Malaysia stun India in World Team Squash

At the 25th edition of the WSF tournament being held at Marseille's glass courts, Mahesh Mangaonkar did the star turn for India against the higher-ranked Germany in the pre-quarters.

Vikram Singh had put India one up with his fluent 11-8, 11-1, 11-8 win over Rudi Rohrmuller.

The focus then shifted to the clash between the two number one players -- India's Saurav Ghosal and Germany's Simon Rosner.

In a match in which pendulum swung either ways, it was Rosner who had the last laugh as he beat Ghosal 11-9, 4-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-3 to restore parity.

It all came down to the decider where for the 23-year-old Mahesh it was a do-or-die battle.

Facing an unsure opponent in Valentin Rapp, Mahesh controlled the volleys and varied the drives to eventually carve out a comfortable 11-6, 11-7, 11-4 win in 31 minutes to bring joy to the Indian camp.

"Absolutely delighted. It was a great team effort. The boys were all charged up. The result showed it," said national coach Cyrus Poncha.

For a place in the last four, India will take on England, who beat Switzerland 3-0.

RESULTS

India bt Germany 2-1

Vikram Singh (IND) bt Rudi Rohrmuller (GER) 11-8, 11-1, 11-8
Simon Rosner (GER) bt Saurav Ghosal (IND) 11-9, 4-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-3
Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) bt Valentin Rapp (GER) 11-6, 11-7, 11-4.

Quarter-final line-up:

[1] EGYPT v [10] SCOTLAND
[3] FRANCE v [5] HONG KONG CHINA
[4] AUSTRALIA v [6] NEW ZEALAND
[2] ENGLAND v [8] INDIA