World Junior Squash Championship: Indian players register strong starts

IANS

Windhoek (Namibia), Aug 10 (IANS): India got off to a good start with Vijay Kumar and Velavan Senthilkumar winning their respective first round matches comfortably on the opening day of the World Junior Squash Championship here Sunday.

Vijay Kumar got the better of Guatemala's Ricardo Toscano 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 while Velavan beat the US No.2 Mason Ripka 11-3, 11-3, 11-6.

Both matches ended inside half an hour, reflecting the confident mood of the Indians, according to national coach Cyrus Poncha who is with the team for this championship.

Vijay had an initial moment of uncertainty and even trailed 3-7 in the first game, but shrugged off that aberration to find good touch.

In contrast, 16-year-old Velavan, playing his first championship, exhibited good control, getting his drops and drives to win points.

Edited by Staff Editor