Giza, May 11: India’s challenge at the World Squash Championship has come to an end. Veer Chhotarani faced defeat in the men’s second round against Egypt’s world number one and defending champion, Mustafa Asal, at Golf Central Palm Hills.
Chhotarani, ranked 45th in the world, lost with scores of 5-11, 2-11, and 4-11. Earlier, fellow countrymen Abhay Singh, Ramit Tandon, and Velavan Senthilkumar also suffered losses in the first round. With Chhotarani’s defeat, the Indian team’s journey in the tournament has concluded.
Asal commented to the PCA Tour website, “Veer and I have played together many times, and I’m glad to see him here; he is playing his best squash. We have faced each other at junior levels and even in the World Juniors. We always train together in New York. Veer is one of those players who can challenge you at any time, so I’m very happy to win. I’m glad that Jimbo is here with me, along with Haitham Ift and my uncle. This is the biggest tournament of the year, and we are progressing match by match. I’m ready for the next match.”
Last year, India’s campaign in the World Championship, held in Chicago, also ended in the second round. India has yet to win a medal in singles events at the World Squash Championship. On the other hand, second seed and 2019 World Championship runner-up Paul Coll advanced by defeating France’s Baptiste Masotti in straight games, 11-1, 11-7, 11-9, and will face Nathan Lake in the next round.
England’s Nathan Lake made his return to this stage of the tournament for the first time since 2023, defeating Muhammad Ashab Irfan with scores of 11-3, 14-12, and 12-10. Egypt’s world number 21 Karim El Torky also progressed to the third round by defeating sixth seed Victor Crouin, with scores of 11-7, 11-5, and 11-7.
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