Senthilkumar reaches London Open squash quarters as second seed
Synopsis
Velavan Senthilkumar is quietly building one of Indian squash's most consistent runs in years — two PSA Copper titles, two Asian Games bronzes, and now a London Open quarterfinal as second seed. With squash making its Olympic debut at LA 2028, the world No. 42 is peaking at exactly the right time.
Key Takeaways
Velavan Senthilkumar advanced to the London Open quarterfinals on 6 November 2026 , seeded second at the USD 18,000 PSA Challenger event.
He beat Paraguay's Francesco Marcantonio (world No.
124 ) 11-5, 11-7, 14-12 in the second round after a first-round bye.
Senthilkumar, ranked world No.
42 , faces France's Amir Khaled-Jousselin (world No.
He won the Czech Open (USD 35,000 , PSA Copper) last week, defeating top seed Greg Lobban of Scotland in the final.
Senthilkumar claimed two bronze medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya — in the mixed team and men's team events.
Indian Ayaan Vaziralli (world No.
167 ) was eliminated in the first round by Englishman Ben Smith .
Indian squash player Velavan Senthilkumar advanced to the quarterfinals of the London Open, a USD 18,000 PSA Challenger event, on Thursday, 6 November 2026, continuing a remarkable run of form that has seen him emerge as one of India's most consistent performers on the PSA Tour. The world No. 42, seeded second at the tournament, dispatched Paraguay's Francesco Marcantonio (world No. 124) 11-5, 11-7, 14-12 in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.
Match Details and Next Challenge
Senthilkumar's straight-games victory required composure in the third game, where he edged out a tighter 14-12 finish after the opening two games were more comfortable. He will next face France's Amir Khaled-Jousselin (world No. 99) in the last eight, a step up in opposition that will test his current momentum.
Fellow Indian Ayaan Vaziralli (world No. 167) was not as fortunate, falling to Englishman Ben Smith in the first round. Smith recovered from an early deficit to seal the match 6-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7 in a fiercely contested five-game encounter.
Recent Title Wins Underline Growing Consistency
Senthilkumar arrived at the London Open on the back of a title-winning performance at the Czech Open, a USD 35,000 PSA Copper-level event, last week. He defeated top seed Greg Lobban of Scotland in the final to claim that crown — his second PSA Copper-level title of the year. His first came at the Budapest Open in August 2026, where he beat Hungary's Balazs Farkas in the final to break new ground on the circuit.
The Czech Open victory was his most high-profile win to date, coming against a higher-seeded opponent and signalling that Senthilkumar is capable of competing at the top end of the Challenger bracket.
Asian Games Success Adds to Momentum
Beyond the PSA Tour, Senthilkumar also had a productive showing at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, returning with two bronze medals. He finished on the podium in the mixed team competition alongside Joshna Chinappa, and also as part of the Indian men's team, whose campaign ended in the semifinals after a 2-1 defeat to Malaysia.
Building Towards LA 2028
Senthilkumar's rising world ranking and back-to-back title runs place him in strong contention as squash prepares for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. His recent results suggest a player peaking at an opportune time, with consistent tournament wins strengthening his PSA ranking points and global profile ahead of a historic milestone for the sport.
Point of View
Back-to-back deep runs at Challenger-level events, and a double bronze at the Asian Games — this is not a flash performance but a sustained climb. The timing is significant: with squash entering the Olympic programme at LA 2028, ranking points earned now will shape qualification pathways. India has historically invested heavily in tennis and badminton while squash, despite producing talents like Joshna Chinappa, remains underfunded. If Senthilkumar continues this form, the sport's governing bodies and national federation will need to plan his Olympic qualification campaign with the same rigour applied to other racquet sports.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Velavan Senthilkumar advance to the London Open quarterfinals?
Senthilkumar beat Paraguay's Francesco Marcantonio 11-5, 11-7, 14-12 in the second round of the London Open on 6 November 2026, having received a first-round bye as the second seed. He will now face France's Amir Khaled-Jousselin in the quarterfinals.
What is the London Open squash tournament?
The London Open is a PSA Challenger-level squash event with a prize purse of USD 18,000. It is part of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour calendar.
What other titles has Senthilkumar won in 2026?
Senthilkumar won two PSA Copper-level titles in 2026 — the Budapest Open in August, defeating Hungary's Balazs Farkas in the final, and the Czech Open last week, defeating top seed Greg Lobban of Scotland. The Czech Open carried a prize purse of USD 35,000.
How did Senthilkumar perform at the 2026 Asian Games?
Senthilkumar won two bronze medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya — one in the mixed team event alongside Joshna Chinappa, and one as part of the Indian men's team. India's men's team campaign ended in the semifinals after a 2-1 defeat to Malaysia.
Why is Senthilkumar's current form significant for Indian squash?
Senthilkumar's consistent results are building his PSA ranking and international profile at a crucial moment, as squash is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. His back-to-back title wins and deep tournament runs make him a leading Indian contender for Olympic qualification.
