Challenger Tour Round-Up: Chotrani, Yee & Eltorgman Claim Titles

Here’s our roundup of last night’s action in the finals of the Greenwich Open and La Classique De Gatineau.

Greenwich Open 

Veer Chotrani continued his impressive year, winning the Greenwhich Open to claim his second PSA Tour title. 

A year ago, the Indian was ranked outside the world’s top 200, but had risen more than 100 places coming into this event, sitting at No.113. 

He was seeded seventh in this tournament, but produced an excellent display in the semi-finals to knock out top seed Rowan Damming, before following that up in the final. 

Facing No.2 seed Seif Shenawy, Chotrani made the best possible start, winning the first two games 11-8, 11-5. 

The Egyptian – who was also targeting his second PSA Tour title – took a tense third game 12-10 to keep himself alive, and sent the match to a decider by winning game four 11-6. 

Chotrani, though, regained control in the fifth, running away with it 11-3 to secure his second title of 2023. 

The success comes three days before Chotrani turns 22, and he could hardly have asked for a better birthday gift, not only getting his hands on silverware but also climbing inside the world’s top 100 for the first time as a result. 

The women’s final was won by Malaysian teenager Xin Ying Yee, who overcame Menna Walid in four games. 

Having come through a long five-game battle with top seed Akanksha Salunkhe in the semi-finals, Yee lost the opening game of the final 11-4. 

From there, though, it was largely one-way traffic, as the Malaysian took the next three games to wrap up victory in 44 minutes, claiming her second PSA Tour title. 

Result: Men’s Final: 

[7] Veer Chotrani (IND) bt [2] Seif Shenawy (EGY) 3-2: 11-8, 11-5, 10-12, 6-11, 11-3 (52m) 

Result: Women’s Final: 

[3] Xin Ying Yee (MAS) bt [2] Menna Hamed (EGY) 3-1: 4-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9 (44m) 

La Classique De Gatineau 

No.1 seed Salah Eltorgman lifted La Classique de Gatineaux trophy, denying Elliott Hunt a fairytale finale to his week. 

Hunt was playing in his first PSA Tour event since 2021, and came in ranked No.835 in the world, but produced a memorable run to the final, lifting him up to World No.536. 

The final was, however, a step too far, as Eltorgman cruised to a 3-0 victory in 36 minutes, capping an impressive tournament in which he did not drop a game.

Result: Men’s Final: 

[1] Salah Eltorgman (CAN) bt Elliott Hunt (CAN) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-3 (36m)