Inspired Mueller sends home favourite Ghosal packing

MUMBAI: Nicolas Mueller of Switzerland left local squash fans shattered after scripting a rousing comeback from two games down to beat Indian ace Saurav Ghosal 9-11, 12-14, 11-2, 11-9, 11-6 in the quarterfinals of the CCI International JSW Indian Squash Circuit tournament on Friday.
The fourth-seeded Ghosal, a finalist here at the Cricket Club of India last year, had a semifinal spot in his sights when he edged his lower ranked opponent in a see-saw second game to take a 2-0 lead in a match that was indeed proving to be a closely fought affair.
The home favourite literally had the fifth seed bleeding following one of many bruising rallies that lit up the 80-minute duel to set up a third game ball which he finally closed out after Mueller returned to the court having received treatment on his injured finger. However, it seemed like Mueller poured out all his frustration of letting game two slip from his grasp into the third game which he absolutely breezed through.
Ghosal, however, demonstrated his eagerness to try and prevent the tie from going the distance as he took a narrow lead early in game four. With both players sternly testing each other's athleticism, the physical edge appeared to be with the World No. 22 when he outlasted Mueller in a marathon rally to go 5-3 up.
As Ghosal consolidated on that psychological victory of sorts to lead 7-4, everyone gathered around the majestic glass court at that point, Mueller included, thought the tie was as good as over.
"I remember that point well," Mueller said minutes after the match. "I thought I was gone after that. But then I looked into his eyes and saw that he was struggling to. You only get one chance when you're playing a quarterfinal like this, so I'm glad I was able to take it."
Mueller pulled off a three-point burst to ensure a late twist and, after executing a deft drop shot to set up game ball, a backhand error from Ghosal was met with silent groans from the crowd.
It proved to be a decisive slip on Ghosal's part as Mueller flew to a 4-0 lead in the decider and despite the 10-time national champion's best efforts, the latter remained solid to complete an amazing fightback.
Earlier, top seed Feres Dessouky of Egypt put on a dominant show to tame Scot Alan Clyne 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 11-5 in 51 minutes.