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Saurav Ghosal wins Windy City Open Squash

February 13, 2012 18:23 IST

Saurav Ghosal added another feather to his cap, winning the Windy City Open Squash 2012 in Chicago on Monday.

The six-time Indian national champion got the better of Pakistan No 2 Yasir Butt 11- 8, 15-13, 10-12, 11-5.

The top seed Ghosal, ranked 27 in the world, beat English qualifier and title-holder Olivier Pett 5-11, 11-7, 11-4, 14-12 in the quarter-finals.

He then proved too good for Scotland's fourth seed Alan Clyne 11-4, 11-5, 11-6 in the semis.

The final was a thrilling contest, with the Pakistani coming out all guns blazing. His precision play caught the Indian ace off guard and enabled him establish early lead in each game. However, Ghosal was up to the task and settled down to prevent Butt from playing to his strengths, an attacking game.

With patient rallies he tired out Butt, and came from behind in the first two games to take a 2-0 lead.

Butt won a closely-fought third game, but ran out of steam in the fourth, which saw the Indian comfortably home at 11-5.

This is one the biggest PSA titles Ghosal has won in his career. His next tournament is in Richmond Virginia, from February 20.

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