[7] Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 3-0 Tom Richards (Eng) 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 (37m)
When I asked Tom “what could you have done better today you think”, his reply was short: “not hit the tin”. Bless him.
Yes, that made a difference of course, as he made 5 unforced errors in the first, 4 in the second, 3 in the third. But I feel it was not just that. Looking at the match, the saying “Tom on a hot tin roof” came to mind. As if he never really settled and was trying to play too fast, too hard, too short, too hard. Like an old movie when the film was out of the projector wheel and would jump all over the screen.
I would have liked him to take the time to breathe, and think and to contruct his rallies a bit more against someone who luuuuuves the hit and run. Playing in his hand was maybe not the right solution today. But what do I know…
10m first game, with 6 winners from Saurav, played at an extremely fast pace, with lovely lines and redrop/volley drop shots, but the Indian in control, 11/3 completely.
A bit closer in the second, 1/1 5/2 Saurav, 7/3, but there is again no stopping the speed and accuracy of the Indian number one, 11/5 in 11m, who today seemed to have several answers to every question Tom was asking.
The third is about the same pattern, 3/0, 4/1, 7/2 9/3 11/5, with an error from Saurav – he didn’t make any in the second, and a good finish 11/5 in 13m.
"WHAT A RALLY!" 🔥
Some exquisite squash on show from @SauravGhosal and @TomRichards86 at the @CVASsquash 👏#Squash pic.twitter.com/ss6V4pBPFH
— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) November 20, 2019
Saurav
He can fire shots from anywhere in the court, he’s got a good racquet on him and also good shots, so I was trying to keep it away from the middle, use the four corners, as deep as I could.
I think I did pretty ok with my game plan, but against a player like him playing in his adopted club, you have got to be weary about him going to come out and play out of his skin, so I tried to stay as focused as I could. But happy with a good length and depth, and happy to take it 3/0.
As for my squash, I think it’s about small adjustments, more increments mentally about believing against the top guys. Obviously to get up higher you have to beat the top five and the top eight, not once or twice but consistently.
I think it’s about believing at crucial points in the match and getting there and being mentally tough – hopefully it will come for me soon and I will keep doing everything I can, I’m trying my best and hopefully it happens for me soon.
