How Did Senthilkumar and Chotrani Fare in Washington Squash?
Synopsis
In an exciting display of skill and resilience at the Squash on Fire Open in Washington, reigning men's national champion Velavan Senthilkumar and Veer Chotrani have successfully advanced to the next round. Read on to discover their thrilling matches and the upcoming challenges they face!
Key Takeaways
Velavan Senthilkumar and Veer Chotrani advance in the Squash on Fire Open .
Senthilkumar defeated Tom Walsh with a comeback victory.
Chotrani overcame a challenging match against Balazs Farkas .
Anahat Singh received a bye in the first round.
Menna Hamed faced injury but persevered to secure her win.
Washington, Jan 29 (NationPress) The current men's national squash champion Velavan Senthilkumar and Veer Chotrani have made it through to the next round of the Squash on Fire Open in Washington after securing hard-fought victories in the first round of this PSA Bronze-level tournament.
Ranked No. 46 in the world, Senthilkumar mounted a comeback to defeat England's Tom Walsh with scores of 12-14, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6. He is now set to face Mexico's Leonel Cardenas, the second seed and world No. 11. Meanwhile, Chotrani, ranked No. 49, narrowly bested Hungary's Balazs Farkas with a scoreline of 6-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-3, and will take on Baptiste Masotti, the fourth seed from France, next.
Chotrani found himself in a precarious position during the fourth game, trailing 8-2 after losing the first two games, but he showcased his resilience by winning nine out of the next ten points, pushing the match into a final game where he maintained his momentum. He quickly established a substantial lead in the deciding game, creating seven match balls at 10-3, converting one to secure his victory.
On the women's side, the reigning national champion and seventh seed Anahat Singh received a bye in the first round. Following her match, Menna Hamed faced Wai Yhann Au Yeong in a closely contested five-game battle. Au Yeong, who entered the tournament recently, almost pulled off an upset by winning the first two games 15-13 and 19-17, both after grueling tiebreaks.
Despite a toe injury affecting Hamed's performance, she managed to find her rhythm, winning the third game 11-5 and overturning a 5-3 deficit to clinch the fourth game 11-7. She wrapped up the decisive game in just seven more minutes with a clever backhand drop shot, concluding at 10-4.
Later in the day, Hayley Ward achieved a remarkable 3-2 victory over Xin Ying Yee, while Noor Zaman successfully navigated a challenging match against wildcard Yee Xian Siow. Additionally, Sam Todd triumphed over local favorite Valerii Fedoruk in the day's final match on the glass court, with Nathan Lake also concluding the day with a 3-1 win against Mazen Hesham.
Point of View
I must say that the remarkable performances by Velavan Senthilkumar and Veer Chotrani at the Squash on Fire Open highlight the growing talent in Indian squash. Their resilience and determination are commendable, and it’s essential for us to support our athletes as they compete on the international stage. This event showcases not just individual skill but also the potential of Indian squash to make its mark globally.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the notable players advancing in the tournament?
The notable players advancing are reigning men's national champion Velavan Senthilkumar and Veer Chotrani .
What is the significance of the Squash on Fire Open ?
The Squash on Fire Open is a PSA Bronze-level event, showcasing top squash talent and offering valuable ranking points.
Who will Senthilkumar face next?
Senthilkumar will face Mexican world No. 11 and second seed Leonel Cardenas in the next round.
How did Chotrani secure his victory?
Chotrani rallied from behind, winning nine of the next ten points in the fourth game to push the match to a decider.
What challenges did Hamed face in her match?
Hamed was hindered by a toe injury but managed to find her rhythm and win the match after a tough battle.
