Suraj Kumar Chand secured the men’s title at the PSA Challenger Tour event by defeating Jeongmin Ryu in straight games at the Indian Squash Academy. Chand, the second seed, dominated his opponent with scores of 11-5, 11-9, 11-3, claiming his fourth PSA Tour title. This victory marked his fifth appearance in a PSA Tour final, showcasing his growing consistency in professional squash.
In the women’s category, Rouqaia Othman from Egypt emerged victorious by defeating Harleein Tan from Malaysia in a closely contested final. Othman, the seventh seed, triumphed with a 12-10, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7 win over the second seed, clinching the title.
SRFI Secretary-General Cyrus Poncha expressed gratitude to sponsors and partners, particularly MYAS and SAI, for their support. He highlighted the significance of having an Indian champion in the event, emphasizing its special nature.
Suraj Kumar Chand’s exceptional performance in the men’s competition saw him as the sole Indian progressing to the semifinals, displaying dominance from the early stages. Chand comfortably advanced by defeating Om Semwal in the quarterfinals and then outplaying Wailok To in the semifinals to secure a spot in the title match.
Aryaveer Dewan, the reigning Asian U-17 boys champion, showcased determination in his initial match by overcoming Shamil Wakeel from Sri Lanka after a challenging 71-minute battle. However, Dewan’s journey ended in the second round with a loss to Suraj Kumar Chand.
Suraj Kumar Chand, currently ranked 134th globally, is expected to see a notable rise in his international ranking following this victory. His success underscores the growing influence of Indian squash on the global stage and highlights the crucial role of training centers like the Indian Squash Academy in nurturing talent and providing a platform for players to excel.
