Asian Games 2023: India On Course For Best Ever Squash Show After Saurav Ghosal Reaches Men's Singles Final

India's Saurav Ghosal outclassed Henry Leung of Hong Kong in the men's singles semifinals to remain firmly on course for a second gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Wednesday. Having played his part in the men's team triumph, the world number 19 from India was far too good for the 52-ranked Henry and completed a dominating 11-2, 11-2, 11-6 victory in 33 minutes. India could end up with an unprecedented three gold medals from the squash courts with the mixed doubles duo of Dipika Pallikal and Harinderpal Sandhu also reaching the title clash, to be played on Thursday. Second seed Ghosal will meet top seed Eain Yow Ng in the final on Thursday. The Indian had beaten his Malaysian rival in four games in the team semifinals.

(Asian Games 2023 Medals Tally | Asian Games 2023 Full Schedule)

Having missed a golden chance to step on the top of the singles podium in 2014, the 37-year-Ghosal will be determined to end his sixth and probably last Asian Games on a high.

Though his Hong Kong opponent was much younger, Ghosal was superior on both tactical and physical side of the game.

Henry could do little about the boasts (shot that hits the side wall before hitting the front wall) that Ghosal would unleash out of nowhere to end the point in his favour.

His deft drop shots on the right side of the front wall also helped him gain a big lead in the first game.

In the second game, he complemented his boasts with drop shots on the left side of the front wall. Ghosal converted his first game point from 10-1 when his Hong Kong opponent hit his backhand on the tin.

With Henry leading 3-1 in the third game, a comeback looked likely but Ghosal was quick to cut the tiny lead before gaining an 8-5 advantage with a perfect placed boast.