SAURAV, JOSHNA enter Nat squash final

Top seed and world No 20 Saurav Ghoshal will take on promising Mahesh Mangaonkar in the men's final while Joshna Chinappa will meet Aparajita in the summit clash for women at the 61st National Senior Squash Championship.

In the semi-final clash in the men's section Saurav Ghoshal got the better of fighting Ravi Dixit 11-9 11-5 11-8 while third seed Mahesh Mangaonkar toppled second seed Harinder Pal Singh 11-2 11-6 9-11 11-9 to set up the title clash. The women's section semi-finals were one-sided affair and top seed Joshna Chinappa asserted her class by subduing Janet Vidhi 11-3, 11-7, 114 while Aparajita Balamurukan 11-9 11-7 11-3 to sail into finals.

It was a close battle in the first game between Dixit and Ghoshal. The top seed had opened a lead at 9-6 but the youngster fought hard to claw to 9-10 but faltered at crucial point give away the first game at 9-11. The experience of Ghoshal helped him get better of Dixit as the top seed took the next two games 11-5 and 11-8 respectively.

"Ravi played well and the potential to climb up the ladder. Perhaps he has learned a good lesson," said Ghoshal adding that he was not complacent. "I was trying out a few things but I never throw away points even when I am working out certain things. The credit must be given to the youngster," said the top seed.

On the other hand Dixit said that he had missed out at crucial juncture. "He is better player but I still managed to hang on pretty close in first game. It is the experience which pulls the top players through. But I have learnt my lesson."