Worlds Update: Mueller Downs Sandhu

Switzerland’s top squash player Nicolas Mueller ended his eight-month losing streak on the PSA World Tour to move into the second round of the 2015 Men’s World Squash Championship courtesy of a hard-earned victory over Indian player Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu.

In a back-and-forth encounter that was packed full of exquisite shot making and physically punishing rallies of the highest calibre, it was the tall Swiss World No.25 who emerged triumphant against the speedy World No.71 from Chennai – coming through

Mueller looked on course to record a comfortable straight-games victory after taking the first game 11-5 but he saw the scores levelled rapid ally as Sandhu dominated the second, taking the ball early and utilising his pace to restrict Mueller to just 2 points.

The third game was a total role reversal, with Sandhu struggling to make a mark on the exchanges before the players produced a sustained period of breath-taking play in the fourth, which saw them trade points in a succession of blistering exchanges that were packed with demanding rallied and soft delicate variations. But despite a valiant effort Sandhu could not force a fifth game as Mueller held firm.

“He played well, he played amazingly well actually,” said Mueller. “But I delighted to win because it’s my first PSA win since February, and it feels bleeping good, not only to win, but also to move freely on my two legs, that didn’t happen since February either.

“In the first I played immaculate squash, but in the second it was a combination of him playing superbly and me playing without any kind of intention or presence.

“The fourth was just about grinding at the end and I’m glad I managed to close a game out finally.

Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt [Q] Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND) 3-1: 11-5, 2-11, 11-4, 11-9 (55m)