India's squash players continued their splendid showing in the ongoing Asian Games. The men's and women's teams were assured of at least two silver medals after winning their respective semi-final matches at the Yeorumul Courts, on Friday.
Complete coverage: 2014 Asian Games
While the women's team, comprising Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal and Anaka Alankamony, outplayed their Singapore opponents 2-0, Mahesh Mangaonkar, Saurav Ghosal and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu eased past Kuwait 2-0 in the men's semis.
Chennai ace Chinappa started the proceedings on a positive note, beating Eunok Park 11-6, 13-11, 11-8 in 34 minutes.
Next up was Dipika, and though the world No. 12 lost a game, she got past Sunmi Song 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5 to seal the issue for India.
Anaka did not have to appear on court.
In the men's draw, Mangaonkar started on the right foot, the Mumbai boy outplaying Kuwait's Altamimi A I A Ammar 11-4, 11-3, 12-10 in 37 minutes.
Ghosal then prevailed over Abdullah Almezayen 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-3 in a marathon encounter that lasted 62 minutes.
Sandhu's final effort was not needed in the match.
Ghosal had earlier won a historic silver -- a first in Asian Games squash -- in the men's singles event, though the Kolkata-born player was disappointed at losing the gold to Almezayen.
Dipika won a bronze medal in the women's singles, also a first for Indian squash.
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