Velavan Senthilkumar Reaches Maiden PSA World Tour Final After Epic Five-Game Win Over Veer Chotrani

Velavan Senthilkumar produced one of the finest victories of his professional squash career to reach the final of the PSA Budapest Open 2026, surviving a dramatic five-game battle against compatriot Veer Chotrani in the semifinals.

In an intense all-Indian contest, Velavan came from behind and saved two crucial match points in the deciding game to defeat the higher-ranked third seed 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 1-11, 12-10. The victory sent him into his maiden final at a PSA World Tour event and marked a major breakthrough for the Indian squash player.

The Budapest Open, a PSA Copper-level tournament, had already become a memorable event for Indian squash, with two Indian players reaching the semifinals. That guaranteed India a finalist, but the showdown between Velavan and Veer delivered far more drama than anyone could have expected.

It was a match of momentum swings, high-quality rallies and immense mental pressure.

Veer started strongly, taking the opening game 11-9. The third seed had entered the semifinal after an impressive quarterfinal victory over former World No. 15 Mohamed El Sherbini of Egypt. Veer won that contest 14-12, 12-14, 11-6, and 11-8, displaying the form that had made him one of the favourites to go deep in the tournament.

But Velavan had already shown that he was capable of defeating the best.

In the quarterfinals, the Indian produced a sensational upset by beating top seed Ng Eain Yow of Malaysia in straight games. Ng, the 2022 Asian Games champion and World No. 18, was expected to be one of the biggest obstacles in the draw. Velavan, however, delivered a comprehensive 3-0 victory to announce himself as a serious contender for the title.

That statement win gave him enormous confidence heading into the semifinal against Veer.

After losing the first game, Velavan responded superbly. He tightened his game and gradually began to take control of the rallies, winning the second game 11-8 to level the match. The momentum continued into the third game as Velavan claimed it 11-7, moving within one game of a place in the final.

At that stage, the contest appeared to be swinging decisively in his favour.

However, Veer produced an extraordinary response in the fourth game.

The higher-ranked Indian dominated the game from start to finish, conceding just one point as he won 11-1. The emphatic scoreline completely changed the atmosphere of the match and forced the semifinal into a deciding fifth game.s

With a place in the final on the line, neither player was willing to give an inch.

The decider turned into a gripping battle, with both players producing their best squash under immense pressure. Veer moved into a position where he had two match points and appeared on the verge of securing the victory.

But Velavan refused to give up.

Showing exceptional composure, he saved both match points and continued to fight for every rally. The ability to stay calm in those decisive moments proved crucial. Instead of allowing the pressure to overwhelm him, Velavan found a way back into the contest and eventually edged the decider 12-10.

The final scoreline of 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 1-11, and 12-10 perfectly reflected the extraordinary nature of the contest.

For Velavan, reaching the Budapest Open final is a significant career milestone. The victory represents his maiden appearance in a final at a PSA World Tour event and comes after one of the toughest possible routes through the tournament.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/velavan-senthilkumar-stuns-asian-games-champion-ng-eain-yow-as-india-assured-of-budapest-open-finalist

First, he took down the top seed and World No. 18 Ng Eain Yow in straight games. He then followed that with a nerve-wracking five-game victory over compatriot and higher-ranked Veer Chotrani, saving two match points in the process.

It has been a remarkable run.

The semifinal also offered an encouraging sign for Indian squash ahead of the Asian Games. Both Velavan and Veer are set to represent India at the continental event, and their performances in Budapest demonstrated the depth of competition within the Indian squad.

Veer may have fallen agonisingly short of the final, but his run included a strong victory over Mohamed El Sherbini and another highly competitive performance against a fellow Indian international.

For Velavan, however, the focus now shifts to the biggest match of his tournament.

After producing one of the standout wins of the Budapest Open against Ng and surviving a dramatic semifinal thriller against Veer, he will now step onto the court with the opportunity to win the biggest PSA title of his career.

From saving two match points to reaching his maiden World Tour final, Velavan Senthilkumar has shown extraordinary resilience in Budapest.

The Indian star is final bound—and his unforgettable run may still have one more historic chapter left.