Did Chotrani, Chand, Akanksha & Tanvi Shine in Squash Indian Tour 2 Quarters?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Veer Chotrani showcases dominance as top seed.
- Suraj Kumar Chand displays impressive court coverage.
- Akanksha Salunkhe wins swiftly without dropping a game.
- Tanvi Khanna makes a remarkable comeback after losing two games.
- The tournament highlights the strength of Indian squash talent.
Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS) Indian squash athletes displayed an impressive performance on their home turf as Veer Chotrani, Suraj Kumar Chand, Akanksha Salunkhe, and Tanvi Khanna progressed to the quarterfinals of the Squash Indian Tour 2, a PSA Challenger event, held at the Otters Club in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Top seed Veer Chotrani started strong after receiving a bye in the first round, showcasing his skill in a dominant match against Sri Lanka’s Shamil Wakeel with a score of 11-5, 11-5, 11-8. The 22-year-old exhibited a blend of precision and patience, ensuring a smooth transition into the quarterfinals.
Seventh seed Suraj Kumar Chand also made waves with an authoritative performance, defeating Malaysia’s Md Hafiz Abdul Harif 11-6, 11-5, 11-7, reaffirming India’s strong position in the men’s competition.
In the women’s category, second seed Akanksha Salunkhe quickly overtook fellow Indian Janet Vidhi, winning decisively with scores of 11-4, 11-6, 11-3, keeping her championship hopes alive.
However, sixth seed Tanvi Khanna faced a tough challenge in one of the day’s most thrilling matches. After losing the first two games to Hong Kong's Bobo Lam, the Delhi player demonstrated remarkable determination, clawing back to win 11-13, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4, 13-11.
This tournament, backed by HCL and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports along with the Sports Authority of India, has attracted a diverse mix of international and local talent. With multiple Indian players advancing to the last eight, the hosts are poised to continue their momentum as the competition heats up.
Indian results (pre-quarterfinals):
Veer Chotrani bt Shamil Wakeel (SL) 11-5, 11-5, 11-8
Suraj Kumar Chand bt Md Hafiz Abdul Harif (MAS) 11-6, 11-5, 11-7
Akanksha Salunkhe bt Janet Vidhi 11-4, 11-6, 11-3
Tanvi Khanna bt Bobo Lam (HK) 11-13, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4, 13-11