Asian Games 2014: Dipika Pallikal overcomes good friend Joshna Chinappa; Saurav Ghosal gets the better of Pakistan's Iqbal Nasir to enter semifinals

The build-up to Sunday's quarterfinal between Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal had put many a spectator at the Yeorumul Squash Courts here in a fix. Should we rush to Court No. 5 to watch this 'friendly' duel? Or should we stay put at Centre Court to witness the men take on bitter rivals Pakistan?

So what if it wasn't cricket or hockey? An Indo-Pak encounter is always special. And when Saurav Ghosal lost the second set to Pakistan's Iqbal Nasir, it tempted one to stay on and watch the contest. As the Pakistani returned after a timeout, some fiery exchanges were expected.

As Ghosal took control of the match using his decade-long experience, the locals started cheering for Nasir. However, Ghosal's tactical prowess in the box tired his rival. And when he won the third set 11-2, India were all but assured of a medal. Ghosal duly won the fourth, and the match 11-6 9-11 11-2 11-9. The players shared a hug. And you were hoping for something bitter!

The spectators then rushed to watch the ladies in action. "Oh! They are already into the fourth set," an onlooker said.

Chinappa and Pallikal were slugging it out. The encounter was anything but friendly. In fact, it was more intense than the Ghosal-Nasir affair. With the scoreboard reading 7-7 and then 9-9, quite a few words were exchanged between the leading ladies of Indian squash.

"How can I reach this ball if I'm obstructed like this?" Chinappa asked the referee. Pallikal simply out her hand up. Moments later, it was her turn to feel cheated. "Was it my fault? Oh, no!" Pallikal reacted as Chinappa reached game point at 16-15. Soon, she took the match into the decider. The crowd went berserk.

A two-point lead tilted the scales in Chinappa's favour. But Pallikal retaliated in style by taking next four points to clinch it 11-9. The won the match 7-11 11-9 11-8 15-17 11-9.

Pallikal admitted she went into the match under a lot of pressure. But beating her senior partner brought her relief. "It was very disheartening to see your teammate going out of the tournament. But once we enter the court, the rivalry is certainly there. And I would admit that there was pressure on me as Chinappa, being much senior, holds an edge over me. The match was certainly played in true spirit but now that match is over, it's back to normal," Pallikal said after her second career victory over Chinappa.

On the other hand, Pakistan coach Jamshed Gul praised Nasir and Ghosal both players for showing such grace on the court. "There cannot be any doubt that no player from both countries wants to lose against each other. But I would like to congratulate both players for playing the game in a very cordial manner. The Indian player was superior and used his experience to beat our boy. I wish him all the best," the former Pakistan player told dna.

On the pressure of playing against India, Gul said that it would be better if India and Pakistan exchange more firepower inside the courts than outside to help each other raise the standard of game in both countries. "Indian squash players have done well in recent years. And don't forget that Pakistan is the original powerhouse of squash. We've written several times to the Indian Squash Federation (of which Indian Olympic Association chief R Ramachandran is president) to hold bilateral meets. Unfortunately, no positive response has come from that side," said Gul.

India are now assured of two medals from squash. Pallikal will take on World No. 1 Nicol Ann David of Malaysia, whom she has never defeated. Ghosal won't have it easy either. He will meet Malaysia's Ong Beng Hee, a two-time Asian Games champion.