Doha: India's top men's player Saurav Ghosal had a comfortable opener against Australian Steven Finitsis in the PSA World Squash Championship here today.
The World No.18 took 36 minutes to dispatch the 57th-ranked Finitsis 11-5 11-4 11-6.
He faces Pakistani youngster Nasir Iqbal in the round of 32 on Monday.
"I lost to Steven in the French League finals and beat him in five games at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, so today's performance was better than that for sure," Ghosal told PTI.
Last year, he became the first Indian to reach the quarterfinal in the prestigious event.
Repeating the feat this time will be much tougher as he is drawn to meet World No.3 and three-time champion Nick Matthew in the pre-quarterfinals.
Ghosal has lost 1-3 to the Englishman in their three meetings on the pro tour.
Asked about the possible match against Matthew, Ghosal said he is only thinking about the next challenge against Iqbal.
"Just focused on taking one match a time," said the Kolkata-based player, who had beaten Iqbal in the Incheon Asian Games.
He has lost some close matches in the recent past including the latest one against India teammate Harinder Pal Sandhu in the National Championships final.
"Unfortunately I have been at the wrong end of some close matches. I have thought about that so hopefully things change soon. It is probably because of the way I am playing in these close games, I need to make a few adjustments," added the gold and silver medallist of the 2014 Asian Games.
Another Indian Mahesh Mangaonkar takes on New Zealand's Lance Bedoes in his opening match later today.
