Asian Games: Indian men, women assured silver in squash

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.