Kuala Lumpur, Sep 8 (UNI) India’s Velavan Senthilkumar claimed the Ace Challenger Tour 12k 2024 squash title in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, defeating fourth-seeded Noor Zaman of Pakistan with a commanding 3-0 victory (11-5, 11-6, 11-9) in the final.
The top-seeded Senthilkumar, who had already captured the Batch Open in Paris earlier this year, extended his unbeaten run through 2024, adding his second Professional Squash Association (PSA) tour title to his impressive record.
Senthilkumar, currently ranked 55th in the world, began his campaign with a bye in the opening round, swiftly dispatching Pakistan’s Tayyab Aslam in straight games. He continued his dominant performance through the tournament, overcoming Nasir Iqbal in the quarterfinals and Ameeshenraj Chandaran of Malaysia in the semifinals.
In the men’s singles event, the only other Indian participant, Abhay Singh, was edged out by Egypt’s Yassin Shohdy in a gripping five-set match, 3-2 (11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11).
In the women’s singles tournament, four Indian players competed. Akanksha Salunkhe, seeded fifth, reached the semifinals but was defeated by Malaysia’s Ainaa Amani 3-0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-4).
Teen sensation Anahat Singh was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Salunkhe, losing 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-7). Mahak Talati was knocked out in the first round by Australia’s Remashree Muniandy with a lopsided 3-0 (11-1, 11-1, 11-0) score, while Urwashi Joshi advanced to the second round before falling to top-seeded Aifa Azman 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-3).
