India’s Om Semwal displayed an impressive performance, winning a thrilling five-game match in the men’s section, while Tanvi Khanna secured a victory in straight games in the women’s section at the Indian Open 2026 squash championship. The tournament kicked off with intense action at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) courts at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Semwal triumphed over Sebastian Salazar 3-2, and Khanna defeated Maya Weishar 3-0 on a day filled with closely contested matches.
The hosts faced some challenges as top male player Suraj Kumar Chand, Unnati Tripathi, and Nirupama Dubey encountered setbacks on the opening day. Semwal’s standout performance against Salazar showcased his resilience and nerve in critical moments, securing a hard-fought victory. Notable performances also came from Egypt’s Yassin Shohdy, who staged a remarkable comeback, and Switzerland’s Ambre Allinckx, who overcame the Netherlands’ Tessa ter Sluis in a competitive fixture.
Day 1 of the championship witnessed dominant displays from various contenders, including Hong Kong’s Chi Him Wong, Sofia Mateos, Matthew Lai, and Danielle Ray, who all secured convincing wins in their matches. The anticipation grows for Day 2 as Indian stars like Veer Chotrani, Joshna Chinappa, Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh, and Ramit Tandon prepare to begin their campaigns, promising more thrilling action for the spectators.
