Ritwik, Dylan set up clash for title

Chennai, June 17 (UNI) India's number one and reigning champion Ritwik Bhattacharya stayed on course of retaining the title as he reached the final of the 10,000 dollar ICL Chennai Open Squash championship here today.

In the semi finals, the second seeded Ritwik defeated compatriot and last year's Under-19 British Open winner Saurav Ghosal in four games. 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7.

He will meet third seed and lanky Dutchman Dylan Bennett in the final tomorrow. Dylan defeated Majid Khan of Pakistan 11-4, 11-8, 11-13, 11-7.

Ritwik got off to an indifferent start losing the first game. But, he grew in confidence in the next three to win rather easily in the end. '' I waited for Saurav to wear down after the first game. He did just that'', Ritwik said after the one sided contest.

In the other contest, much was expected from sixth seeded Majid Khan following his upset win over compatriot and top seeded Khayal Muhammad Khan.

After losing the first two games, Majid showed signs of a fight back when he bagged the third on extra points. But Dylan playing with a touch of assurance, dashed his hopes winning the fourth game to enter the final.

Results (Semifinals): Ritwik Bhattacharya (Ind) bt Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7; Dylan Bennett (Neth) bt Majid Khan (Pak) 11-4, 11-8, 11-13, 11-7.

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