Top seed Dixit leads fancied fray

Top seed Ravi Dixit of Haryana led the favourites into the men’s third round, in the 74th CCI-Western India Open Squash Tournament, at the Cricket Club of India.

Former Asian junior champion Dixit, who along with the other fancied players earned a first round bye, warmed up with a straight sets win along with second seed Gaurav Nandrajog of Delhi, former Asian team gold and India under-19 world championship bronze winner Abhishek Pradhan, Vikas Jangra of Delhi, man-in-form with three successive titles Aditya Jagtap of Mumbai and CCI duo Ness Billimoria and Abhinav Sinha.

It was 5/8 seed Sandeep Jangra of the Services who endured the opening round blues before prevailing over Vrishabh Kotian 11-9, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4  in the closest contest of the day. Jangra relied on experience and a fierce forehand to rally following a tight opening game and the loss of the second over extra-points.

Maharashtra duo Divit Poojary and Rahul Arora also earned hard-fought wins with Arora being taken the distance by West Bengal’s Ayush Barmecha.