Prague [Czech], Nov 3: India's Velavan Senthilkumar continued his impressive run on the professional squash circuit by capturing the men's singles crown at the Czech Open 2026 in Brno on Monday. The Indian defeated Scotland's Greg Lobban, the tournament's top seed and world No. 31, by a 3-1 margin (13-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7) in the final of the PSA Copper-level competition.
Senthilkumar, seeded fourth, had to dig deep in the opening game after finding himself on the verge of losing it. With Lobban holding a 10-6 advantage, the Indian produced a remarkable recovery, overturning four game points to take the opening game 13-11.
The breakthrough proved decisive as the 28-year-old stepped up his game in the second, cruising to an 11-5 victory and moving within one game of the championship. Lobban managed to extend the contest by taking the third 11-8, but Senthilkumar denied the Scottish player any further comeback, wrapping up the fourth game 11-7.
The victory represents the 12th title of Senthilkumar's PSA Squash Tour career. It is also his second triumph at the Copper level, following his maiden title at the Budapest Open in August.
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Currently ranked 42nd in the world, the Indian enjoyed a largely comfortable passage to the final. Having received a bye in the opening round, he started his campaign with a straight-games win over Brazil's Diego Gobbi, registering an 11-4, 11-7, 11-2 scoreline in the second round.
He maintained that form in the last eight, dispatching Argentina's eighth-seeded Jeremias Azana 11-3, 11-8, 11-7. The semi-final presented a tougher challenge against France's Auguste Dussourd, the second seed and world No. 32. However, Senthilkumar prevailed in straight games, winning 11-7, 12-10, 11-1 to secure his place in the final.
His latest success follows an encouraging campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya last month. Senthilkumar returned from the continental competition with two bronze medals, having teamed up with Joshna Chinappa in mixed doubles and represented India in the men's team event.