Anahat Singh claimed her tenth PSA title and Veer Chotrani his first in India at the SRFI Indian Tour Squash Championship – a PSA Challenger event – at the Indian Squash and Triathlon Academy (ISTA) here on Friday.
In a repeat of the Western India Open final in Mumbai in December last year, Anahat prevailed over compatriot and top seed Akanksha Salunkhe 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5 in the women’s final.
Chotrani and Anahat, the champions in the men’s and women’s sections in the SRFI Indian Tour Squash Championship in Chennai on Friday.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ravindran
Akanksha can take heart from the fact that she managed to take a game off Anahat, having lost in straight games in that last final between the two.
Friday’s finals highlighted the champions’ ability to come from behind in an all-to-play-for clash. Anahat won seven consecutive points to secure the third game 11-8 from 4-8 down.
Men’s second seed Chotrani, who’d rallied after losing the first game, won eight points in a row to clinch the third 11-6 from 3-6 down. He beat Frenchman Melvil Scianimanico 3-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7.
Expressing his thoughts on his maiden PSA title win in India, Chotrani said: “I’m very happy. I didn’t expect it, honestly. Because, this glass court (centre court at ISTA) and me have a bad relationship. I never performed well on this glass court, but I think that it’s gone from my head now. It’s always nice to win at home.”
It was Chotrani’s sixth PSA title overall.
The results (finals): Men: Veer Chotrani bt Melvil Scianimanico (Fra) 3-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7.
Women: Anahat Singh bt Akanksha Salunkhe 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5.
Published – March 21, 2025 07:05 pm IST
