India’s Veer Chotrani is through to the second round of the World Championships for the first time after causing an upset against former World No.15 Declan James.
Chotrani, who booked his place at the tournament by winning the Asia qualifying event, won 3-1: 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 16-14 to progress to the second round at his first appearance at the World Championships. The World No.57 was almost forced into a fifth game with the Englishman when he had four match balls but was unable to convert. However Chotrani succeeded at the fifth attempt to seal the victory.
“Relief, I’d say! Last week I played Mohamad Zakaria in Bermuda and I had four match balls and I bottled it and I lost,” he said. “That match was actually in my head when I was up match ball and I thought I cannot give it away this time, but I fought hard and stayed extremely focused and I was able to get the win in the end.
“Last week I didn’t have the belief that I could beat top 20/25 guys, and today I went into the match with nothing to lose and I told myself that, play without any pressure and enjoy it. Those match points were so hard and he showed why he’s been a top 15 player. I’m over the moon to get through.”
Four-time world champion Ali Farag awaits Chotrani in round two after the top seed beat Spain’s Bernat Jaume in straight games.
Fellow Asian qualifying event winner and Chotrani’s compatriot Anahat Singh – also featuring at this event for the first time, ended home hopes for Marina Stefanoni in a five-game thriller.
World No.62 Singh came from 2-1 down to defeat USA’s Stefanoni 3-2: 10-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6 in 52 minutes.
“We had really long rallies and she’s a great player. I’ve seen her play in the last few tournaments, she’s been playing really well and she’s broken into the top 30 so I knew today it was going to be a battle,” she said. “It was really tiring and I’m exhausted and I’m really happy I was able to get through it.
“It’s a bit surreal – I’ve seen this tournament since I’ve been playing squash on TV and watching matches, but getting to be here and see all the top players and see how they are during the biggest tournament of the year it’s an experience not many people get to have and I’m really grateful I have.
“I’ve been with Gregory Gaultier for about six months, he’s a former world champion so having someone like him in my corner is really great.”
“Getting a bit of advice from him and learning a lot of things from him is always helpful. My game has gone up a lot since I started working with him. I’m really grateful for him.”
Defending Champions Begin Title Defences
Reigning world champions Nouran Gohar and Diego Elias kicked off their title defences with round one successes against Nadine Shahin and Velavan Senthilkumar.
Gohar, who clinched her first World Championship last season, eased past her fellow Egyptian Shahin in 17 minutes with a 3-0 triumph.
“It’s a tough opponent for a first round and I had to be on my toes to play well to close it out in three. Really pleased with that first round win and hopefully I can build on that,” she said.
“The World Championships is the longest tournament with a round of 64 and that doesn’t happen with any other tournament. The extra round makes you a bit fresh and it’s not a bad thing – I try to get hits in the middle of the rest days. If I can keep it that way I’ll be very happy for sure.
“I don’t compare myself to a year ago – I just try to look at the future more than the past because if I live in the past then I won’t achieve anything in the future. I’m trying to live in the present and see where I am today compared to yesterday.”
Elias – who became the first-ever South American to be crowned world champion last year – came from a game down against Senthilkumar to win 3-1.
“I’m happy to start playing here at the World Championships and playing Velevan was very tough – I’ve never played him before so I didn’t know what to expect,” he said post-match.
“He’s a very good player, great hands and I was in a bit of trouble in the first two games.
“It’s always tough playing in the first round of a tournament like this and playing Velevan, who I’ve never played before, and there was no pressure on him.”
In the final matches of the day, Malak Khafagy came out on top in the all-Egyptian encounter with Mariam Metwally 3-2, while rising star Jonah Bryant ousted former World No.7 Mohamed Abouelghar 3-1.
Results – Men’s First Round:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 3-0: 12-10, 11-9, 11-4 (29m)Veer Chotrani (IND) bt [23] Declan James (ENG) 3-1: 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 16-14 (62m)
[32] Curtis Malik (ENG) bt Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) 3-0: 13-11, 11-7, 11-3 (39m)
[15] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bt Rhys Dowling (AUS) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (33m)
[14] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bt Leandro Romiglio (ARG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-9, 11-3 (34m)
Jonah Bryant (ENG) bt [26] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)3-1: 12-10, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (55m)
[18] Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Rui Soares (POR) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (38m)
[5] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-1: 9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8 (37m)
[19] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt Balazs Farkas (HUN) 3-1: 11-4, 3-11, 11-8, 11-4 (41m)
[3] Diego Elias (PER) bt Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) 3-1: 7-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3 (40m)
Results – Women’s First Round:
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt Nadine Shahin (EGY) 3-0: 11-6, 11-1, 11-4 (17m)[27] Malak Khafagy (EGY) bt Mariam Metwally (EGY) 3-2: 11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 4-11, 11-5 (52m)
Anahat Singh (IND) bt [32] Marina Stefanoni (USA) 3-2: 10-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6 (51m)
[22] Tesni Murphy (WAL) bt Alicia Mead (ENG) 3-1: 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4 (41m)
[6] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt Marie Stephan (FRA) 3-0: 12-10, 11-9, 11-6 (35m)
Round one of the PSA World Championships continues tomorrow, with play getting underway at 11:00 (GMT-5). All of the action will be available to watch live on SQUASHTV.
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