WSF World Doubles Championships, Chennai (17/12/2004) 

It’s an Australian sweep  

Mission accomplished. For Australia that was what mattered finally. Winning all the three titles men, women and mixed  the Australians left Chennai on a happy note at the end of the second World doubles squash championship. 

For Rachael Grinham, the world number one player from Australia, Chennai will remain a special destination. It was here that she won a WISPA title a few years ago and on Friday she collected a double, winning the doubles with sister Natalie and the mixed with David Palmer. India would also have been satisfied having reached the men's final for the first time and making history in the process. The title round saw Ritwik Bhattacharya and Saurav Ghosal putting up a game fight for 100 minutes against Byron Davis and Cameron White. But the dream run could not be extended as they lost 9-4, 9-3, 8-9, 9-7. There was no disgrace in the loss as the Indians gave the goodly crowd enough to cheer. 

Superior Aussies 

Consistency in stroke-making, variations in the length of returns and above all total focus were the prime needs. Both teams struggled here but where the Australians excelled was in their superior game plan. If Byron, considered by the team's head coach Geoff Hunt as a `special coach' himself, was deceptive and facile in his forecourt play, then Cameron's elasticity was amazing. Twice he went diving full length, once backwards, to return and what is more win points much to the awe of the gathering. Ritwik and Saurav started tentatively, with both taking turns to hit the tin. Even if an occasional drop caught Byron short the Australian duo managed to keep up and won two games in quick time. Ritwik and Saurav are fighters and that quality came to the fore in the third. With near unending rallies and quick reflex returns the movement of scores was checked for some time. India led 7-4 before two faux pas by Saurav saw the Australian's catching up. Soon a fall by Byron in negotiating a return gave game ball to the Indians at 8-6. The Australians then made it 8-8 all before  Saurav shot found the nick and a lunging White failed to pick the ball up. India won the game, its only gain. An early lead kept Australia in good stead in the fourth and even though Ritwik and Saurav put everything in defeat stared at them at 5-8. On match ball now for Australia, Saurav played two lovely points, one off a trickle boast to bring the scores closer. But it was only thus far and no further. 

Low key

The other finals were comparatively low key. After his unbecoming demeanour on Friday, when he gave vent to his anger against the refereeing in the men's semifinal, David Palmer was cool and collected in Rachael's company in the mixed doubles to win easily. Meanwhile it is learnt that Palmer had apologised to the organisers as also the WSF representatives for his poor conduct. Whether WSF will view the incident seriously and penalise him has to be seen. The Grinham sisters then came on to ensure the women's doubles. Ms. Joyce Buckley, vice-president, WSF was the chief guest and gave away the medals and trophies. 

Results :   
Mens : Byron Davis and Cameron White (Aus) bt Ritwik Bhattacharya and Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 9-4, 9-3, 8-9, 9-7.
Women: Rachael Grinham and Natalie Grinham (Aus) bt Louise Crome and Lara Petera (NZ) 9-7, 9-4, 9-2.
Mixed: Rachael Grinham and David Palmer (Aus) bt Shelley Kitchen and Glen Wilson (NZ)11-8, 9-8, 9-8.

52nd National Squash Championships and 1st National Doubles Squash Championship

Saurav, Joshna corner glory (7/12/2004)

Saurav Ghoshal had served notice of his threat to Ritwik Bhattacharya when claiming the Herald Maritime Squash title and Rs one lakh prize money at Otters Club. Now he is making a habit beating Ritwik. He beat him at the nationals at Chennai and is arguably India No 1. Of course, Ritwik was not hundred per cent fit but  that does not detract from Saurav's show. He joined the list of greats of Indian squash winning senior and juniors titles in the same year emulating Adrian Azra and Joshna Chinappa.

Joshna Chinappa underscored  the  Tamil Nadu domination which was complete when Bala Murugan wrested the  professionals' title from Mahesh Verma of Maharashtra. hat Ritwik was not at his physical best, having just come back from a lay off but that did not take away anything from the merit of Saurav's grand show.

Ritwik tried to deny Saurav the speed he needs for domination but Saurav found a way out. The efforts drained Ritwik for the fourth game and he was a spent force. Joshna earlier swept aside the 14-year-old Anvesha Reddy in 28 minutes to make it her fourth national title. It was easily her easiest for she has been tested and even beaten by the likes of Mekhala Suibedar (now Shrivastav), who didn't come to the nationals. 

The nationals will be remembered for the first doubles being held. Ritwik did not play and it was the TN pair of  Saurav Ghosal and Harinder Pal Singh who won beating statemates  Bala Murugan and A. Parthiban 9-2, 4-9, 9-4, 4-9, 9-8. Coach Cyrus Pocha played and reached the semis.

Results :
Men: Saurav Ghosal (TN) bt Ritwik Bhattacharya (ND) 9-4, 6-9, 9-7, 9-2.

Women: Joshna Chinappa (TN) bt V. Anvesha Reddy (TN) 9-3, 9-0, 9-2.

Professionals : Bala Murugan (TN) bt Mahesh Verma (Mah) 9-5, 9-3, 9-0.

Doubles Men: Saurav Ghosal and Harinder Pal Singh (TN) bt Bala Murugan and A. Parthiban (TN) 9-2, 4-9, 9-4, 4-9, 9-8;

Doubles Women: Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal (TN) bt Surabhi Misra (Raj) and Shivangi Paranjpe (Mah) 11-10, 9-3, 11-10.