India’s Saurav Ghosal made his way into the quarters of the PSA World squash championship after a hard-fought victory over Wales’s player Joel Makin in Chicago.

Saurav now remains the lone Indian in the fray as compatriot Joshna Chinnappa crashed out of the women’s event previously on Sunday after a shock defeat to Hong Kong 18th seed Joey Chan.

The 11th seeded Ghosal, won 11-13, 11-7, 11-7, 13-11 in a really tough battle thanks to his unseeded opponent who fought for every point.

Joel Makin, who had encountered Saurav Ghosal previously in the CCI International in Mumbai in 2017, presented himself this time as a much better player. Right from the beginning, Saurav realized the tough competition when Makin clinched the first game. But eventually, he could take control by taking the next two.

In the fourth game, however, Saurav had to face a setback of 5-8 but the experience helped the Indian as he clawed back and earned three match points before ensuring the win.

Saurav next faces the third seed, German Simon Rosner.

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