Second seed Saurav Ghosal staged a dramatic recovery to shock top seed and Indian compatriot Ritwik Bhattacharya in five games in an absorbing 'local derby' clash to clinch the Otters Open Squash title at the Otters Club in the Indian city of Mumbai. Ghosal, the world No59 from Chennai, took 75 minutes to win 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-10 (2-0) – not only beating his arch rival, ranked 16 places higher, for the first time, but also securing his maiden PSA Tour title.
 
In a quality contest marked by long rallies and brilliant stroke play, both treated the jam-packed Otters Club to delightful squash that had all the ingredients of a thriller.
 
Bhattacharya seemed well on his way to victory after winning the opening games in tight finishes, including surviving a scare while leading 8-5 and allowing Ghosal to close in at 9-9 in the first.
 
But Ghosal ignored his much accomplished opponent's reputation to play uninhibited squash. The 20-year-old, currently studying at Leeds University in England, chose to play the game he is accustomed to - and it paid off.
 
In a pulsating fifth game decider, Bhattacharya led 9-7 before enjoying two match balls at 10-8 and 10-9.  But the 26-year-old favourite from New Delhi hit the tin on two occasions while Ghosal earned a 'stroke' in between to surge to a crucial 11-10 advantage.
 
Another 'stroke' and Ghosal sealed a memorable victory, prior to the maiden World Open he is eager to play next month in Cairo.
 
"It was an important tournament to win," said Ghosal afterwards.  "It was a hard match especially coming back from two games down.  I was not getting my shots in the first two games, while Ritwik hit the ball really well.  The pressure is always there while playing Ritwik.  But I hung in there and tried to get my rhythm," explained the new Otters champion.
 
Bhattacharya, who had just suffered his first loss in his seventh final on the PSA Tour, added:  "The game I was playing was good enough - I don't think I could do anything different.  But Saurav played well.  I had earlier lost in five games to Manish Chotrani and Siddharth Suchde on the same court, and I guess losing to Saurav was the only thing remaining!"


RESULTS:        Otters Open Squash Championship, Mumbai, India
 
Final:
[2] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt [1] Ritwik Bhattacharya (IND)            9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-10 (2-0) (75m)