After being muted, the applause and cheers from the spectators and passers-by at the Express Avenue Mall became louder once India took on Hong Kong in the last tie of the evening at the Squash World Cup on Tuesday.
The host, seeded two, turned on the heat when it mattered to blank its opponent 4-0 in its first Group-B match on a day when all the fancied teams — top-seeded Egypt, third seed Japan, and Malaysia, seeded fourth — won with ease.
Abhay Singh, ranked 72nd and the owner of seven PSA titles, was up against the 23-year-old Chung Yat Long, who is yet to bag a title. After being routed in the first two games, Chung showed resolve in the third by pushing the Indian to the corners. Tied 6-6, Abhay sealed it with a huge forehand.
