Nathani defeats Advani in India Open Squash tournament

Mumbai, Nov 17 (UNI) Mishal Nathani overcame Mishaal Advani 3-2 in an exciting boys' under-15 first round tie, in the 65th CCI Indiabulls Western India Open Squash Tournament that got underway at the CCI here today.

In an all-Maharashtra contest, Nathani surged to the lead on two occasions. But a determined Advani came back strongly to force the decider in the closest match of the opening day.

Nathani enjoyed a crucial lead in the fifth and deciding game that put Advani under pressure. Nathani held on as Advani struggled to recover and lost his way.

In other significant matches, Karan Rathore and Senthil Kumar Velavan, both of Tamil Nadu, sailed into the boys' under-11 second round in contrasting fashion.

While Rathore beat former national champion Manish Chotrani's son Veer 11-2, 11-7, 11-1, Senthil endured a late challenge before prevailing over Ardehl Nainan of Maharashtra 11-3, 11-3, 12-10.

In the same category, fancied Yohann Surti, who is one of the top juniors on the circuit, struggled past Keshav Kalani 11-8, 11-4, 11-8.

Results: Boys U-11 (1st round): Karan Rathore (TN) bt Veer Chotrani (Mah) 11-2, 11-7, 11-1; Rohan S (Mah) bt Ahant Singh (Mah) 11-3, 11-4, 11-4; Shanay Sanghavi (Mah) bt Aryaman Singhania (Mah) 11-0, 11-8, 11-9; Senthil Kumar Velavan (TN) bt Ardehl Nainan (Mah) 11-3, 11-3, 12-10; Pranay Jain (Mah) bt Ishaan Jaffer (Mah) 11-4, 11-1, 11-7; Yohann Surti (Mah) bt Keshav Kalani (Mah) 11-8, 11-4, 11-8; Aryan Hemdev (Mah) bt Dhruvin Patwa (Mah) 11-2, 11-1, 11-1; Armaan Harjani (Mah) bt Aman Bajaj (Mah) 11-2, 11-4, 11-2; Arav Punjabi (Mah) bt Aditya Shah (Mah) 11-2, 11-6, 11-9.

Boys U-13 (1st round): Kshitij Prasad (Mah) bt Ankit Jayant (Mah) 11-2, 11-4, 11-4; Harsh Wadhwa (Mah) bt Parth Chhabra (Mah) 11-1, 11-1, 11-1; Boys U-15 (1st round): Junaid (Del) bt Adit Bhansali (Mah) 11-2, 11-5, 11-4; Kunal Bhatia (Mah) bt Rohan Advani (Mah) 11-6, 11-8, 11-8; Mukul Yadav (Del) bt Pradyuman Singhania (Mah) 11-2, 11-7, 11-6; Mishal Nathani (Mah) bt Mishaal Advani (Mah) 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5; Dattaraj Nadkarni (Mah) bt Senthil Kumar Guhan (TN) 11-5, 11-7, 11-2.

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