How Did India Dominate Switzerland 4-0 in Their Squash World Cup Opener?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Velavan Senthilkumar led the charge for India with a decisive win.
- Anahat Singh impressed in her World Cup debut.
- Abhay Singh showcased his top-ranking skills.
- Joshna Chinappa completed the sweep for India.
- India aims for continued success in upcoming matches.
Chennai, Dec 9 (NationPress) In an impressive start to their campaign, India dominated debutants Switzerland with a resounding 4-0 victory in their Pool B match of the Squash World Cup 2025 at the Express Avenue Mall.
India's national champion, Velavan Senthilkumar, currently ranked 45th in men's squash, set the stage for the win by overpowering world No. 296 Robin Gadola with a convincing 3-0 scoreline (7-6, 7-6, 7-5).
Gadola, part of the Swiss team that claimed bronze in the last two World Squash Team Championships, briefly led at 6-5 in the first match, but Velavan quickly rallied back with two crucial points. The match was characterized by tense moments and narrow margins.
In the second match, 17-year-old Anahat Singh, the youngest competitor in the event, showcased her skills in her World Cup debut, defeating Celine Walser 3-0 (7-1, 7-4, 7-2) without much trouble. Although Walser leveled at 4-4 in the second set, Anahat remained composed and precise, clinching the victory.
Next, Abhay Singh, India's top-ranked men's player at 29th globally, secured another win by beating Louai Hafez 3-0 (7-0, 7-5, 7-3). Singh took control early and maintained his lead despite a late attempt from the Swiss player to fight back.
Finally, veteran Joshna Chinappa sealed the match by defeating Stella Kaufmann 3-1 (7-1, 5-7, 7-2, 7-0), bouncing back after losing the second game to secure the final point for India.
“It feels great to start with a win,” expressed Harinder Pal Sandhu of India. “The first match can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially in front of a supportive home crowd, so it’s nice to get that out of the way.”
“Going forward, we’re going to be very eager and motivated. We aim to perform well!” he added.
Twelve nations are competing, including Malaysia, the previous edition's runners-up, and Egypt, the reigning champions. The teams are divided into four groups of three, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
Following this strong performance, India, who earned a bronze in 2023, will face Brazil in their next group match on Thursday.