Veer Chotrani (Ind) 3-2 [25] Abhay Singh (Ind) 14-12, 8-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-2 (60m)
Veer:
“It’s obviously tough to play a countryman in the first round of the World Championships.
We don’t want one of us to get out in the first round, but this was how it was planned and I’m very happy to be the one that got through.
He’s obviously been playing really well, two weeks ago in Zurich he had some big wins and performed incredibly well. So I’m very proud of how I found a way from being 2-1 down and I just stayed mentally strong, especially at the end of the fourth and throughout the fifth.
“It’s the biggest event in the world and I’m always very happy and excited to be coming to this event and playing. I was in the same position in the draw last year. I played Dec James to play Ali Farag, and this time it could potentially be Mostafa Asal. I love these big occasions and I’m just looking forward to the day after tomorrow on the glass.
“I have nothing to lose. I’m going to just enjoy my time and play my squash. He’s still got to play today. He’s playing Kandra, who actually also played a few weeks ago in Hamburg. We’re actually the same age and we’re pretty friendly as well off the court. We train quite a bit in New York when he’s around, so I know him pretty well and he knows me very well too. It’s going to be a great time, and I’m always excited to have a few highlight reels.
“It’s a big confidence booster for the work I’ve put in, in the last few weeks. To get a result like this is very positive. I lost to Abhay the last time in India when we played in the final and I was very disappointed with that performance. The draw of this event was made before that final, so I was very much looking forward to this match.”
