Indians March Into Chennai Open Draw

Locals took three out of the four places available in the qualifying finals of the Chennai Open at the ICL Squash Academy in Chennai in a great day for Indian squash.

Naresh Kumar, a 17-year-old from Delhi, will make his PSA Tour debut after defeating Shahril Shahidan. From two games down, Kumar beat the Malaysian ranked 102 places higher 10-11 (0-2), 10-11 (0-2), 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 in 51 minutes - and will now face Pakistan's top seed Khayal Muhammad Khan.

Another 17-year-old Indian beat a Malaysian to take a place in the first round draw. Chennai-based Harinder Pal Sandhu, defeated Nafzahizam Adnan 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-10 (3-1) in 51 minutes.

In a bad day for Malaysians, Adnan's brother Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan also suffered a shock defeat at the hands of an Indian when Gaurav Nandrajog removed the top0ranked player in the qualifying draw 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7 in 30 minutes.

Back in the PSA rankings after a year's gap, Nandrajog proved too strong for the younger Adnan - and will now take on compatriot Saurav Ghosal, the fourth seed.

Qualifying finals:
Gaurav Nandrajog (IND) bt Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7 (30m)
Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) bt Nafzahizam Adnan (MAS) 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-10 (3-1) (51m)
Neil Hitchens (ENG) bt Vikas Jangra (IND) 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7 (36m)
Naresh Kumar (IND) bt Shahril Shahidan (MAS) 10-11 (0-2), 10-11 (0-2), 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (51m)