The Squash On Fire Open in Washington DC delivered a compelling day of drama for Indian squash as Veer Chotrani and Anahat Singh booked their places in the quarterfinals with impressive wins, while Velavan Senthilkumar bowed out after pushing one of the world’s best to the limit.
Across the glass courts of the PSA Bronze event, India’s new generation showed that it is ready to compete with the elite, producing a mix of grit, tactical intelligence and fearless attacking squash. The standout result of the day came from Veer Chotrani, who produced one of the biggest wins of his career by upsetting world No.19 Baptiste Masotti of France in a gripping five-game thriller. Ranked 49 in the world, Chotrani won 11-6, 7-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-9 in a contest that swung dramatically in momentum and showcased his growing maturity on the PSA Tour.
Chotrani started the match with real authority, taking the first game 11-6 as he dictated rallies with tight length and sharp volleys. Masotti, a player known for his physicality and consistency at the top level, responded by tightening his game and winning the next two games 11-7 and 11-8 to take a 2-1 lead. At that point, it looked as though the Frenchman’s experience might carry him through.
But Chotrani had other ideas. Showing remarkable composure, he produced a stunning response in the fourth game, racing to an 11-1 win that completely turned the match on its head. His movement improved, his shot selection became more assertive, and he forced Masotti into rushed errors by taking time away from him at the front of the court.
The deciding fifth game was a test of nerve. Both players traded points in long, demanding rallies, with neither able to establish a clear lead. Chotrani, however, held his ground in the closing stages, finding the right balance between patience and aggression. At 9-9, he stayed calm, played two composed rallies, and closed out the match 11-9 to seal a landmark victory and a place in the quarterfinals. It was a result that not only underlined his upward trajectory but also sent a message that he can now trouble players ranked much higher than him.
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In the women’s draw, 7th seed Anahat Singh continued her impressive progress on the PSA Tour by defeating South Africa’s Hayley Ward 3-1 to reach the quarterfinals. The 19-year-old, ranked 31 in the world, won 11-5, 11-8, 12-14, 11-5 in a match that combined solid control with moments of high-quality shot-making.
Anahat began confidently, taking the first two games with authority. Her ability to move Ward around the court and then finish rallies at the front made the difference early on. Ward fought back in the third game, pushing Anahat into a tense tiebreak and eventually edging it 14-12 to keep herself in the contest.
Rather than allowing that setback to affect her, Anahat responded with maturity. In the fourth game, she reasserted her control, tightening up her length and forcing Ward into defensive positions. With sharper execution and fewer errors, she closed out the match 11-5, confirming her place in the last eight and setting up a quarterfinal clash with second seed Sana Ibrahim of Egypt, currently ranked 17 in the world.
While there was celebration for Chotrani and Anahat, Velavan Senthilkumar’s tournament came to an end despite a brave and highly competitive performance against second seed Leonel Cardenas of Mexico. Ranked 46, Velavan took on the world No.11 in a match that went the full distance, eventually losing 11-4, 5-11, 9-11, 11-9, 8-11.
Velavan made a flying start, winning the opening game 11-4 with a combination of crisp attacking shots and tight control of the T. Cardenas, however, adjusted quickly, using his experience and superior physicality to take the next two games and put himself ahead 2-1. The Indian refused to back down. In the fourth game, Velavan raised his intensity, retrieving brilliantly and forcing Cardenas into longer rallies. His persistence paid off as he edged the game 11-9, sending the match into a decider.
The fifth game was a fitting end to a high-quality contest. Both players fought for every point, but Cardenas found an extra gear in the closing stages to pull away and take it 11-8. Although Velavan exited the tournament, his performance against a top-15 player was a strong statement about his growing competitiveness on the PSA Tour. Taken together, the day’s results painted a positive picture for Indian squash. Chotrani’s breakthrough win over a top-20 opponent, Anahat’s steady progress into the quarterfinals, and Velavan’s near-upset against a world-class rival all highlighted the depth and potential of India’s next generation.
As the Squash On Fire Open moves into its decisive stages, India will have two strong representatives in the quarterfinals, with Chotrani and Anahat carrying both confidence and momentum into their next matches. For a country that has been steadily rebuilding its presence on the global squash circuit, these performances in Washington DC serve as another encouraging sign that Indian players are ready to compete and win at the highest levels.
