Kutty endures strong challenge from Kotian

Mumbai, Nov 1 (UNI) Fancied Akash Kutty endured a strong challenge before rallying brilliantly to enter the boys under-15 main draw in the 63rd CCI Indiabulls Western India Squash Championship, that got underway here today.

Trailing 1-2 in his final qualifying round match against a determined Vrishab Kotian, Kutty came back into the match to fashion a thrilling 9-6, 0-9, 5-9, 9-4, 9-4 win, on an exciting day of close contests.

As the juniors took centre stage on day two, Mohit Yadav also experienced a tough boys under-11 first round when he rallied to overcome Madhav Gupta 8-10, 8-10, 9-6, 9-2, 9-4 in a thriller.

In another tight boys' under-11 opening round, CCI's Karan Kochhar beat qualifier Numani Saini 5-9, 9-6, 9-5, 9-7, while qualifier Aditya Singhi upset Trilok Sadarangani 9-2, 9-0, 9-6.

Results: Open: Maj Anshuman Chowdhury (Services) bt Balwant Singh 9-2, 9-6, 9-2; Sanjay Pawar bt Praveen Saini 9-0,9-0, 9-3.

Boys U-11 (1st round): Karan Kochhar bt Numani Saini 5-9, 9-6, 9-5, 9-7; Kunj Rawani bt Viraj Nadkarni 9-1, 9-0, 9-1; Raghav Mehrotra bt Vikas Gautam 9-0, 9-1, 9-0; Aditya Singhi bt Trilok Sadarangani 9-2, 9-0, 9-6; Yohan Pandole bt Rajat Agarwal 9-1, 9-1, 9-1; Mohit Yadav bt Madhav Gupta 8-10, 8-10, 9-6, 9-2, 9-4.

Boys U-15 (Final qualifying round): Akash Kutty bt Vrishab Kotian 9-6, 0-9, 5-9, 9-4, 9-4.

Boys U-9 (QF): Yohan Surti bt Aditya Mehra 9-4, 9-1, 9-0.

UNI GS MAZ AY BST2042