USA-based Mumbai squash player Vikram Malhotra continues his rampaging run at the $10,000 Samson Seattle Open as he booked his place in the final late on Saturday. The Indian upset the seventh seed Matias Tuomi of Finland, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5 in the semi-finals.
The 26-year-old Malhotra, who lives in Hartford, USA, has been in superb form in the recent past. He won the Florida State Open in December as a qualifier, beating three seeds on the way in the main draw. At last month’s Oregon Open, he once again sizzled as a qualifier and reached the semi-finals.
Consequently, he has made a jump of 266 places from his lowest ranking of 391 last June to his present ranking of 125 this month.
Malhotra has carried his impeccable form to the Seattle Open this week where he has claimed three seeds so far which includes the big scalp of the second-seeded Nathan Lake in the quarter-finals. In the summit clash, he will face the third seed Andrew Schnell of Canada.
“I am happy to be here and hope to make a second title in the bag. I would like to thank my family and friend in Trinity and in India,” said Malhotra after his semi-final win on Saturday.
The final is scheduled on Sunday evening.
