Ritwik Races Into Kolkata Draw
India's Ritwik Bhattacharya wasted little time reserving his place in the main draw of the Kolkata International Squash Championship after winning today's (Tuesday) qualifying finals match in the former Indian capital. The 25-year-old from New Delhi despatched compatriot Supreet Singh 11-7 11-2 11-3 in just 18 minutes.
Pakistan's Basit Ashfaq pulled off a notable upset over England's Lee Drew. The 19-year-old from Lahore upset Drew, ranked more than 30 places higher in the world, 7-11 11-6 9-11 11-5 11-1 in 49 minutes to claim a place in the first round alongside fellow Pakistani Khayal Muhammad Khan, who beat Christopher Gordon, of the USA, 11-8 11-8 11-8.
The final qualifying place went to Cameron White who won an all-Australian clash with Tony James 9-11 11-2 11-7 11-6.
1st round draw:
[1] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) v Saurav Ghosal (IND)
[7] Gavin Jones (WAL) v Qualifier
[4] Mohamed Essam A Hafiz (EGY) v Qualifier
[5] Ben Garner (ENG) v Qualifier
[6] Alister Walker (ENG) v Yasir Butt (PAK)
[3] Shahier Razik (CAN) v Qualifier
[8] Phillip Barker (ENG) v Stacey Ross (ENG)
[2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Arshad Iqbal Burki (PAK)
RESULTS: Kolkata International Squash Championship, Kolkata, India
Qualifying finals:
Ritwik Bhattacharya (IND) bt Supreet Singh (IND) 11-7, 11-2, 11-3 (18m)
Basit Ashfaq (PAK) bt Lee Drew (ENG) 7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-1 (49m)
Cameron White (AUS) bt Tony James (AUS) 9-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-6 (40m)
Khayal Muhammad Khan (PAK) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 (50m)