Sandhu Sinks Top Seed Grant In Valencia
by Howard Harding
26 October 2012 - Indian qualifier Harinder Pal Sandhu recorded the most impressive win of his career in the PSA Valencia in Spain when he overcame England's world No19 Adrian Grant to reach the semi-finals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash event in its second year at Club Olympia in Valencia.
The world No98 from Chennai had already taken out higher-ranked Englishman Charles Sharpes in the opening round - but dug even deeper to recover from 2/1 down against top-seeded Londoner Grant, a former world No9, to win 11-7, 5-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5 in a match which kept the crowd enthralled for almost two hours.
"We all at the Indian Squash Academy are delighted with Harinder's result," said Indian National Coach Cyrus Poncha, from Chennai, when he heard the news. "This is certainly his best win and one which has been overdue.
"Harinder has over the past few months been working very hard and deserves full credit."
Chandhigarh-born Sandhu, who reached last year's Indian National Championship final for the third year in a row against expectations, is enjoying an excellent run on the PSA Tour. Earlier this month, as fourth seed, the 23-year-old secured his fourth Tour final appearance at the Royal Lake Club Open in Malaysia.
Sandhu now faces his third English opponent in a row in a bid to reach the event's final. Chris Ryder, the No3 seed from Leamington Spa, looked to be heading home when qualifier Davide Bianchetti took the opening two games.
But Ryder fought back to draw level, and immediately dropped the first point in the decider when the 35-year-old Italian surprisingly announced his decision to retire, with the score standing at 7-11, 3-11, 12-10, 11-5, 0-1 in Ryder's favour.
Kristian Frost Olesen won the all-Danish duel in the other half of the draw, beating Rasmus Nielsen 11-7, 11-8, 11-2.
The unseeded 23-year-old from Odense now takes on Omar Abdel Aziz, the third seed from Egypt who defeated Australia's Steven Finitsis 11-5, 11-4, 11-8.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 15 PSA Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Quarter-finals:
[Q] Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) bt [1] Adrian Grant (ENG) 11-7, 5-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5
[3] Chris Ryder (ENG) bt [Q] Davide Bianchetti (ITA) 7-11, 3-11, 12-10, 11-5, 0-1 ret.
[4] Omar Abdel Aziz (EGY) bt Steven Finitsis (AUS) 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
Kristian Frost Olesen (DEN) bt Rasmus Nielsen (DEN) 11-7, 11-8, 11-2
Semi-finals:
[Q] Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) v [3] Chris Ryder (ENG)
[4] Omar Abdel Aziz (EGY) v Kristian Frost Olesen (DEN)
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