WindyCity Update: Ghosal Survives 5-Game Duel With Meguid

In a match-up resemblant of David versus Goliath India’s Saurav Ghosal, one of the smallest players on the PSA World Tour at just 167cm, emerged triumphant in a high calibre encounter with Omar Abdel Meguid, one of the tallest men on tour at 191cm, during the first round of action at the 2016 Windy City Open.

Meguid was the in-form man coming into the event in Chicago’s University Club having collected two titles on his last two PSA outings while Ghosal has only recently returned from a foot injury but the duo played out a free-flowing contest of the top order which ended when Meguid conceded his ball when down at match-point to illustrate the Egyptian’s unquestionable sportsmanship.

Prior to that both men enjoyed periods of dominance as they put together spells of back-to-back winners but neither managed to ever develop a significant lead and up to 8-8 in the decisive fifth it could have gone ether way before Ghosal eventually claimed the win with visible relief.

“When you play a five setter you always need an element of luck,” said Ghosal.

“Omar came here after wining three events recently so he is a player in form and I knew it was going to be a very tough match.

“He played so well today and he persevered as well, he didn’t give me any kind of cheap points like he can do sometimes. He played fantastic squash.

“I tried to keep him behind me and to keep varying the pace to prevent him from getting into a rhythm and I had that little bit of luck too – I’m happy to win it.”

Result:
Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt [Q] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 3-2: 11-13, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8 (73m)