Velavan Senthilkumar Stuns Top Seed Greg Lobban to Win Czech Open 2026 Title

India's Velavan Senthilkumar clinched the men's singles title at the Czech Open 2026 squash tournament, defeating top seed and world No. 31 Greg Lobban of Scotland 3-1 (13-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7) in the final held in Brno on Monday.

The fourth-seeded Indian produced an impressive performance to overcome Lobban in the PSA Copper-level event. Senthilkumar showed remarkable composure in a closely contested opening game, recovering from a 6-10 deficit to save four game points and win it 13-11.

The 28-year-old carried his momentum into the second game, securing an 11-5 victory to take a commanding 2-0 lead. Lobban fought back in the third game, winning it 11-8, but Senthilkumar maintained his composure in the fourth to seal the contest 11-7 and secure the championship.

The triumph marked Senthilkumar's 12th PSA Squash Tour title and his second Copper-level crown. He had previously won his maiden Copper-level title at the Budapest Open in August.

Ranked world No. 42, Senthilkumar enjoyed a dominant campaign throughout the tournament. After receiving a first-round bye, he began with a convincing 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-2) victory over Brazil's Diego Gobbi in the second round.

He continued his impressive run by defeating eighth seed Jeremias Azana of Argentina 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-7) in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, he overcame second seed and world No. 32 Auguste Dussourd of France 3-0 (11-7, 12-10, 11-1) to enter the final.

The Czech Open triumph comes after Senthilkumar secured two bronze medals at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. He partnered Joshna Chinappa to win bronze in mixed doubles and was also part of the Indian men's team that finished third.

His latest achievement adds to India's growing success in squash ahead of the sport's Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.