Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal assure medals for India

Dipika Pallikal

Incheon, Sep 21 (IANS)

Saurav Ghosal assured India a bronze as he entered the men's singles semi-final with a 3-1 win over Pakistan's Nasir Iqbal at the Yeorumul Squash Courts here Sunday.

The top seeded Ghosal won 11-6, 9-11, 11-2, 11-9 in the quarter-final which lasted 58 minutes.

The 28-year-old started the game on a bright note against the 20-year-old Iqbal, winning the first game 11-6. But, a few mistakes on Ghosal's part allowed Iqbal to equalise 1-1 as the World No.16 Indian went down 9-11.

However, an unflustered Ghosal brought all his experience to the fore and remained calm to get his rhythm back. He won the next two games 11-2 and 11-9 to seal the tie in his favour.

In the semi-final, Ghosal, who is a two-time Asiad bronze medalist, faces a stronger opponent in 2006 Asiad champion Malaysia's Ong Beng Hee, who defeated Hong Kong's Au Chun Ming 3-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7) in another quarter-final.

Dipika Pallikal assured India of another medal from squash after she won her women’s singles quarter-final 3-2 against compatriot and doubles partner Joshana Chinappa.

Dipika won 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 15-17, 11-9 in one hour and 41 minutes at the Yeorumul Squash Courts.