Velavan Senthilkumar claimed the Czech Open 2026 title on Monday, defeating top-seeded Scotsman Greg Lobban in the final. The Indian, ranked 42nd in the world, secured a 3-1 victory to earn his second Professional Squash Association (PSA) Copper Tour trophy of the year.
The final scoreline read 13-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7 in favour of the fourth-seeded Velavan. The win in Brno follows his success at the Budapest Open earlier this season, where he defeated Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng to secure his first title at this level.
Velavan's path to the final was dominant, as he overcame French player Auguste Dussourd in straight games, 11-7, 12-10, 11-1, during the semifinals. Earlier in the tournament, he defeated Argentina's Jeremias Azana in the quarterfinals and Brazil's Diego Gobbi in the second round.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a productive year on the international circuit. Beyond his PSA Tour successes, he secured two bronze medals at the 2026 Asian Games, finishing on the podium in the mixed doubles with Joshna Chinappa and as part of the Indian men's team.
With squash confirmed for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, consistent performances on the PSA Tour remain vital for players aiming to improve their world rankings. Velavan's recent form has established him as a key figure in India's international squash contingent.
The victory in the Czech Republic provides Velavan with significant momentum as he continues his campaign on the professional circuit. He remains the primary Indian representative on the tour, with his focus now shifting to upcoming events as he pursues further milestones in his career.
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