(2) Farhan Mehboob - PAK bt (3) Gaurav Nandrajog - IND     [11-5, 11-8, 11-4]  (32)

Logic tells us that as the tournament progresses deeper into the final rounds, the gap in talent becomes less, but it didn't look that way initially during the semifinals of the 11th South Asian Games today at Dhaka Club.  India's Gaurav Nandrajog attempted to trump the seeding when he faced Farhan Mehboob of Pakistan, the current world #32.  Mehboob jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead looking more and more like what we've come to expect from the deep and talented Pakistan team.  After trading rallies and subsequent points, Nandrajog, not confident in the fast ball during the first game, was hesitant to attack.  Visibly frustrated, Nandrajog conceded the first on a tin.

In the second, the pace hastened as the ball slowed.  Nandrajog pressed and pressed, playing tight squash to force Mehboob into inconvenient shots off good length which paid early dividends and a 4-1 lead.  Mehboob rallied and reeled in the taller Indian with great retrieval, forcing Nandrajog to the front court where clearly not able to close out the point.  It was evident that unless he finished the rallies with a decisive shot, Mehboob would be there to retrieve, only further frustrating Nandrajog.  It was then that Nandrajog made costly mistakes that gave the game.  Visibly frustrated, again, Nandrajog threw his racket.

The third was a clinic put on by Mehboob.  Growing more confident in the across court nicks, Mehboob began volleying the higher shots - which weren't that loose - with such precision to the opposite nick,  it seemed his racket was more like a glove!  I was impressed at his racket maneuverability and his anticipation, as his counter attacks were reflexive and precise, suggesting he always knew where he was going with the ball.  The rest of us just had to keep up!  Nandrajog had many opportunities that he worked hard for, but match to Mehboob in straight games.

(1) Aamir Atlas Khan - PAK bt (4) Sandeep Jangra - IND     [5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8]  (37)

Anticipation was never so hard...

What a treat for the crowd as Jangra and Khan put on a clinic for front court play, teaching us what - and what not to - do .  The pace picked up right from the start and it was a question of who would attack first.  The more important question would soon become, "who would tin?" as the two played such a tight game in the front court. they were bound to start scraping the red.  As expected, Khan began attacking right off the serve and was attempting to put the ball in the nick with every opportunity.  The high risk shots were off and playing into Jangra's hands as he countered with great holds and deception, forcing Khan to go the wrong direction multiple times.  Jangra took the first game with patient counter attacks.

The second was more high risk squash, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I'm not sure the crowd could appreciate the difficulty of the shots being taken as these athletes make it look so easy.  Khan was attempting - and succeeding - with back court kills reminiscent of Jonathan Power.  The young Pakistani just has the gift and has really refined his stroke.  The added pressure kept Jangra on his toes but always a point behind.  After a few more mistakes at the front, Jangra conceded the second to Khan.

The third saw Jangra jump out to a 7-3 lead playing solid squash and picking up the deception again.  I have never seen a player go the wrong direction as many times as Khan did.  Jangra's exceptional racket speed and control proved to be worthy opposition for the heavily favored Khan, whose attacking style was just off the mark giving Jangra the space to counter.  However, the mistakes came flooding in and Jangra, with some of his easier opportunities, was tinning.  Gift - ahem, game - to Khan.

In the fourth Jangra again simply outplayed his opponent through the first half of the game.  It looked like we were going to a fifth when Jangra started his familiar relationship with the tin.  There were even two points where Khan had given up, only to receive a point off yet another costly mistake by Jangra.  Khan continued his march, opening up the court, creating space and the angles, then pursuing the kill.  When he was off, Jangra's counters were becoming more ineffective and loose.  Match to Khan and Jangra knew he, like Nandrajog, had opportunities.  I can only look forward to a rematch in the team event in the coming week.