Indian men beat Ecuador in World Team Squash C`ship

New Delhi: India made a strong start in the world junior men`s team squash championship with a 3-0 victory over hosts Ecuador on the opening day of the qualifying action in capital Quito.

The quartet of Mahesh Mangaonkar, Ravi Dixit, Ramit Tandon and Aditya Jagtap won their respective matches at the Quito Tennis and Golf Club last night to brighten their chances of topping the Pool `D`. Victory against Wales tomorrow would see India, seeded 4th in the World Squash Federation event, top their pool and enter the knock-out stage against the runner-up of Pool C.Mahesh laid a perfect foundation, hitting winners from all corners of the court, to give his team the lead by beating Rodrigo Merino 11-2, 11-3, 11-4. Ravi played steady drives and comprehensively won 12-10, 11-5, 11-1 against Ernesto D?vila to make the scoreline 2-0 in favour of India.Ramit got the better of Alejandro Castro 11-5, 11-2, 11-2 in the last match of the day. A total of 24 teams are competing in eight pools. PTI