India stun Egypt 3-0 to enter Squash World Cup final for the first time

India reached their first-ever Squash World Cup final with a 3-0 win over Egypt in Chennai. Velavan Senthilkumar, Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh secured victories as India set up a summit clash against Hong Kong China at Express Avenue Mall

Chennai: India came up with a spirited performance to beat two-time champions Egypt 3-0 and make their maiden appearance in the Squash World Cup final here on Saturday.

Seeded second, India will take on Hong Kong China, who got the better of Japan in the other semifinal, in the summit clash at the Express Avenue Mall.

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National champion and world No 45 Velavan Senthilkumar swiftly got India off the blocks by defeating world No 96 Ibrahim Elkabbani 7-1, 7-3, 7-6 before the country’s top-ranked women’s player Anahat Singh (world No 28) made it 2-0 with a tough 6-7, 7-5, 7-3, 3-7, 7-3 win over world No 44 Nour Heikal.

Abhay Singh, who had partnered Anahat to win bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, then overcame Adam Hawal 7-5, 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 as the hosts stunned powerhouse Egypt, winners in 2012 and 2023.

This was India’s best showing in the tournament after they reached the semifinals in 2023, when they lost to Malaysia to settle for bronze.

Joshna Chinappa’s match against Nardine Garas was rendered inconsequential after India took a 3-0 lead.

Earlier, India had beaten Switzerland and Brazil in the group stage to enter the quarterfinals, where they defeated South Africa 3-0 in the 12-team tournament.