Veer Chotrani Shocks Kandra, Advances to Hamburg Open Quarters
Synopsis
In a thrilling upset, India's Veer Chotrani defeated Germany's Raphael Kandra 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals of the Hamburg Open. Meanwhile, Abhay Singh and Ramit Tandon exited in the second round, while Joshna Chinappa also faced defeat. Discover all the highlights from this exciting squash tournament.
Key Takeaways
Veer Chotrani advances to the quarterfinals after defeating Raphael Kandra.
Chotrani's victory came in straight games, showcasing his strong performance.
Abhay Singh and Ramit Tandon exited the tournament in the second round.
Joshna Chinappa faced defeat against Joelle King.
Marta Dominguez reached the quarterfinals for the first time.
Hamburg, April 17 (NationPress) India's world No. 47 Veer Chotrani achieved a remarkable victory by overpowering German eighth-seed Raphael Kandra with a score of 3-0 in the men's second round of the Hamburg Open squash, a prestigious PSA Bronze-level event.
This victory marked a significant upset as Chotrani dominated the match, finishing in just 30 minutes with scores of 11-8, 11-7, 11-7, thereby securing his place in the quarterfinals.
Unfortunately, his fellow Indian players, fifth seed Abhay Singh and seventh seed Ramit Tandon, exited the tournament in the second round. Singh was defeated by Sam Todd from England with scores of 9-11, 11-7, 4-11, 2-11, while Tandon lost to Hungary's Balazs Farkas with scores of 10-12, 11-4, 5-11, 9-11.
Sam Todd will be making his debut in the quarterfinals of a Bronze level event. Already having won two copper-level titles this season, Todd showcased his best performance to overcome Singh, who recently claimed the JSW Indian Open title. Todd is set for a quarter-final match against the tournament's No. 3 seed, Fares Dessouky, on Friday.
“I was aware of Abhay's strong form lately, especially after his performance in El Gouna and his victory at the Indian Open. I knew today's match would be challenging, and having trained with him at Pontefract, I was well aware of his game,” Todd remarked.
In the women's category, former world No. 10 Joshna Chinappa faced defeat against eighth seed Joelle King, with the Kiwi winning the match with scores of 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-4.
Additionally, Spain's Marta Dominguez will also compete in the quarterfinals of a Bronze event for the first time after defeating the No. 6 seed Malliff. Dominguez, who had previously faced six consecutive losses against the Englishwoman, broke the streak to advance to her first Bronze quarter-final with scores of 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3.
Point of View
It is essential to highlight the impressive performance of Veer Chotrani, who continues to elevate India's presence in international squash. While the exits of Abhay Singh and Ramit Tandon are disappointing, they reflect the competitive nature of the tournament. The Hamburg Open is proving to be a platform for emerging talents.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Veer Chotrani defeat in the Hamburg Open?
Veer Chotrani defeated German eighth-seed Raphael Kandra in the second round.
What were the scores of Chotrani's match?
Chotrani won with scores of 11-8, 11-7, and 11-7.
Which Indian players exited the tournament?
Abhay Singh and Ramit Tandon both exited in the second round.
Who will Chotrani face in the quarterfinals?
Chotrani will face the tournament's No. 3 seed, Fares Dessouky.
Which female player faced defeat?
Joshna Chinappa lost to eighth seed Joelle King.
