Tanvi Khanna, Suraj Chand exit HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour semis in Kolkata
Synopsis
India's best hopes at the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour in Kolkata — top seed Tanvi Khanna and World University champion Suraj Kumar Chand — were both swept aside by Egyptian opponents in the semifinals, setting up an all-Egypt final on Friday. Egypt's grip on the PSA Challenger circuit shows no sign of loosening.
Key Takeaways
Tanvi Khanna (women's top seed) lost to Egyptian third seed Sohayla Hazem 11-6, 2-11, 7-11, 7-11 in the semifinals.
Suraj Kumar Chand (men's fourth seed) was beaten by Egyptian top seed Mohamed Gohar 11-8, 11-2, 11-7 .
Chand, a recent World University Championships singles winner, had defeated Egypt's Hassan Menshawy in a 73-minute five-game thriller earlier in the tournament.
Friday's finals are an all-Egypt affair: Sohayla vs Menna Walid (women) and Gohar vs Seif Refaay (men).
Both draws carry a prize fund of USD 9,000 ; the Kolkata event is the fourth stop on the HCL tour's India leg.
Women's top seed Tanvi Khanna and men's fourth seed Suraj Kumar Chand were eliminated in the semifinals of the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour in Kolkata on Thursday, 13 August, ending India's hopes of a title at the USD 9,000 prize-money event. Both Indian players fell to Egyptian opponents in contrasting fashion.
How the Semifinals Unfolded
Tanvi went down fighting against Egyptian third seed Sohayla Hazem, losing 11-6, 2-11, 7-11, 7-11 in a four-game contest. The top-seeded Indian had looked sharp in the opener but could not sustain that level as Sohayla asserted control through the final three games.
Chand's exit was more decisive. Egyptian top seed Mohamed Gohar dismantled the Indian fourth seed 11-8, 11-2, 11-7, leaving little room for a comeback. Chand, who recently claimed the World University Championships singles crown, had shown considerable promise in the earlier rounds.
India's Road to the Semis
Chand's tournament run was built on grit. On Tuesday, he survived a gruelling 73-minute five-game thriller against Egypt's Hassan Menshawy in the pre-quarterfinals, winning 11-4, 8-11, 11-2, 9-11, 11-8. He then beat eighth-seed compatriot Om Semwal in four games to reach the last four.
Tanvi's path was equally composed. She dispatched Vasundhara Nangare in straight games in the quarterfinal opener, then overcame sixth-seed compatriot Nirupama Dubey — also in straight games — before meeting her match against Sohayla in the semis.
Notably, Sandhesh Palanivel Ravikumar delivered one of the tournament's standout performances, rallying from two games down to beat sixth seed Ayaan Vaziralli 6-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 and advance to the men's quarterfinals.
All-Egypt Finals Set for Friday
Friday's finals will be an all-Egypt affair in both draws. Sohayla Hazem will face second seed Menna Walid for the women's title, while Mohamed Gohar takes on third seed Seif Refaay for the men's crown. The result underscores Egypt's continued dominance on the PSA Challenger circuit.
About the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour
The HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour is the second tier of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour, with events spread across major countries. The India leg has visited Indore, Mumbai, and Chennai before arriving in Kolkata. Both the men's and women's draws carry a prize fund of USD 9,000 each. The tour serves as a critical stepping stone for emerging players seeking ranking points and exposure on the international circuit.
Point of View
Not a crisis. Tanvi Khanna and Suraj Chand both earned their places in the last four and pushed competitive opponents — but the all-Egypt final is a reminder that the PSA Challenger circuit remains an Egyptian stronghold. What is encouraging is Chand's trajectory: a World University title followed by a deep run against seasoned PSA professionals suggests he is closing the gap. The real question is whether Indian squash infrastructure can convert these promising individual runs into consistent podium finishes before the next generation of Egyptian talent arrives.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Tanvi Khanna at the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour in Kolkata?
Tanvi Khanna, the women's top seed, lost to Egyptian third seed Sohayla Hazem 11-6, 2-11, 7-11, 7-11 in the semifinals on 13 August. She had reached the semis with straight-games wins over Vasundhara Nangare and Nirupama Dubey.
How did Suraj Kumar Chand perform at the Kolkata PSA Challenger event?
Suraj Kumar Chand, the men's fourth seed, reached the semifinals but lost to Egyptian top seed Mohamed Gohar 11-8, 11-2, 11-7. Earlier in the tournament, he had beaten Hassan Menshawy in a 73-minute five-game thriller.
Who will compete in the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour finals in Kolkata?
Both finals on Friday will be all-Egypt contests. Sohayla Hazem faces second seed Menna Walid for the women's title, while Mohamed Gohar meets third seed Seif Refaay for the men's crown.
What is the prize money at the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour Kolkata event?
Both the men's and women's draws carry a prize fund of USD 9,000 each at the Kolkata leg of the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour.
What is the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour?
It is the second tier of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour, featuring events across major countries worldwide. The India leg has included stops in Indore, Mumbai, and Chennai before the current Kolkata event.
