NEW DELHI: The Indian squash contingent made a strong start to their Asian Games campaign with convincing victories over Singapore and Pakistan in both the men's and women's team competitions.
In the women's team event, India, represented by 15-year-old Anahat Singh, veteran Joshna Chinappa, and Tanvi Khanna, secured a dominant 3-0 win over Pakistan in their opening Pool B match.
Anahat Singh, making her Asian Games debut, won her singles match against Sadia Gul in just 16 minutes with a score of 11-6, 11-6, 11-3. Joshna Chinappa, competing in her sixth Asian Games, defeated Noor Ul Huda Sadiq 11-2, 11-5, 11-7 in 13 minutes. Tanvi Khanna completed India's dominance by beating Noor Ul Ain Ijaz with a score of 11-3, 11-6, 11-2.
The Indian women's team, who were silver medalists in the previous edition, will aim to progress to the semifinals by finishing among the top two teams in Pool B.
In the men's team event, top-seeded India outplayed Singapore 3-0.
Harinder Pal Sandhu secured a hard-fought victory in the opening singles match against Jerome Clement with a score of 11-4, 13-11, 8-11, 7-11. Saurav Ghosal, India's highest-ranked player and a veteran of six Asian Games, faced a tough challenge in the first game against Samuel Kang but eventually won 11-9, 11-1, 11-4 in 37 minutes. Abhay Singh completed India's comfortable win with a straight-game victory over Marcus Phua, winning 11-7, 11-7, 11-7.
The Indian men's team, led by Ghosal, aims to win the gold medal after securing a bronze in the previous edition. They will face Pakistan in their next Pool A game.
Both the Indian men's and women's squash teams are determined to perform at their best and achieve success at the Asian Games.
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