Indian squash received another boost this week as Veer Chotrani delivered one of the finest campaigns of his PSA career, finishing runners-up at the St. James Expression Open 2025 in Virginia, USA.
The 23-year-old, ranked World No. 51, put together a composed, disciplined and high-quality run at this PSA Copper event, ultimately falling in the final to the in-form top seed and World No. 15 Leonel Cárdenas of Mexico. Despite the loss, his performances across the tournament underline his rising stature on the international circuit. Chotrani’s route to the final reflected both resilience and growth. After a season marked with fluctuations, the St. James Expression Open arrived as an opportunity to recalibrate, and he capitalised on it brilliantly.
His opening challenge came in Round 2 against Egypt’s Md Sharaf, where he settled quickly into his rhythm to secure a 3–1 win. The Indian dominated the pace exchanges, using tighter lines and superior control in the front court to close out the match and advance to the quarterfinals. His quarterfinal victory over the experienced Mohamed ElSherbini was, in many ways, the defining point of the campaign. ElSherbini, a former World No. 15 and the second seed here, offered a far more layered challenge. Veer, however, embraced the pressure, engaging in long, tactical rallies and matching the Egyptian’s attacking bursts with disciplined retrieval.
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The match stretched to five games, but the Indian produced a composed finish, clinching a 3–2 win to reach the semifinals. It was a statement result one that signalled confidence after an otherwise inconsistent season on the PSA Tour.
In the semifinals, Chotrani produced his most commanding performance of the week. Up against third seed and World No. 32 Timothy Brownell of the United States, he dictated the tempo from the start, sweeping the match 11–8, 11–8, 11–4. The straight-games victory showcased the clarity in his approach sharp length, patient build-ups, and an effective hold in the mid-court. Brownell, who had arrived in strong form, struggled to counter Chotrani’s variations. For the Indian, this match underlined how seamlessly he has begun to transition from promise to consistency.
The win propelled him into the biggest final of his PSA career to date. Standing across the glass court in the title clash was the tournament favourite, top seed and current World No. 15 Leonel Cárdenas one of the fastest-rising names in men’s squash and already on back-to-back PSA Tour titles this season.
Cárdenas’ form was evident from the outset. His pace, precision and control of the middle delivered immediate pressure on Chotrani, who nevertheless rose to the occasion, claiming the second game 11–4 to level the scoreline.
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Ultimately, the Mexican’s experience and sharper execution in the critical moments proved decisive. Cárdenas closed out the match 13–11, 4–11, 11–4, 11–3 to win the title, handing Chotrani a 1–3 loss. The final scoreline, however, does not capture the intensity of the exchanges, particularly in the opening game where Chotrani pushed the top seed to the brink.
For Veer, the runners-up finish marks a milestone. His victories over higher-ranked opponents Sharaf, ElSherbini and Brownell reflect both skill and maturity. The consistency in his physicality, the improved patience in rallies, and his ability to convert tight situations all stood out throughout the week. Despite falling short in the title match, he demonstrated that he belongs among the elite in Copper events and is increasingly ready to challenge in higher-tier PSA competitions.
More importantly, the week in Virginia reinforces the trajectory of one of India’s rising stars. Chotrani has long been viewed as a promising prospect, but performances like this lift him into a more assertive conversation as a genuine contender at the international level. For Indian squash, striving to cultivate depth behind the senior names on tour, such results carry broader significance.
As he moves ahead, the focus for Chotrani will be on sustaining this level and translating it into deeper runs across the PSA calendar. The confidence from this week, particularly the composed handling of pressure in the quarterfinal and semifinal, provides a strong foundation. If this performance is a trailer for what lies ahead, Indian squash fans have reason to look forward to the months to come.
For now, Veer Chotrani can be proud of his campaign. He competed with heart, precision and belief qualities that will continue to shape his rise. This runners-up finish is not just an isolated highlight; it feels like a step forward in a much larger journey.
