India reach final of World Junior squash

Indian squash player Ramit Tandon thrashed higher-ranked Geoffrey Demont of France in a crucial tie to help India reach the final of the Chennai Open World Junior Cup in Chennai on Saturday.

World number 384 Tandon beat Demont 11-5, 6-11, 11-2, 14-12 after Dipika Pallikal levelled the score by winning the second tie following Ravi Dixit's loss in the first.

India thus set up a title clash with favourites Egypt on Sunday.

Watched by a goodly crowd with the score levelled one-all following Dipika's victory in the second game, Tandon raised his game and dished out almost all shots in the book to get the better of world ranked 140 Demont.

Starting off in a commanding manner to lead with a first game 11-5 verdict, Ramit lost the second 6-11 but taught a few lessons to a more experienced Geoffrey with delectable drops and boasts.

The manner in which he pinned Geoffrey to the base line most often and then controlled the game from the front was eloquent in his thoughtful planning. Thus, Ramit won the match at 11-5, 6-11, 11-2, 14-12.

Being down 0-1 after Dixit's 6-11, 11-6, 6-11, 7-11 loss to Lucas, Dipika meant business from the beginning in crushing Chloe Mesic 11-3, 11-3, 11-5. Dipika was at her ease and proved her class with variety of strokes and her measured drops stood out.

Earlier in Lucas-Ravi match, the latter was strong in all departments of the game and particularly the length that he played on his forehand and the cross court shots earned many points and applause from strong crowd.