Jansher Khan Canberra Open: Senthilkumar & Salunkhe Claim Titles in Canberra

It was double Indian success today at the Jansher Khan Canberra Open as top seeds Velevan Senthilkumar and Akanksha Salunkhe captured the Challenger 6 event titles beating Australia’s Joseph White and compatriot Tanvu Khanna in the finals.

Two competitive games opened up the men’s final with Senthilkumar taking both games 11-8, 11-9 to establish a 2-0 lead and place one hand on the trophy. White wasn’t error prone but the top seeded Indian wasn’t missing his targets in any corner. White established a quick lead in game three and ran through to take it 11-2 to breathe more life in the final. Senthilkumar responded in true top seed fashion to win 11-3 and claim a seventh PSA title.

The women’s final had classic written all over it with the outcome so hard to call heading into the title decider. Khanna opened the game with an 11-9 win, just stealing the game away from Salunkhe. The top seed bounced back however in game two and managed to play the big points well to equalise, winning in a tiebreak 12-10. The pair then shared the next two games, both winning 11-8 to set up a fifth and final game for the trophy.

Salunkhe earned the first championships ball at 10-9 but was forced into another tiebreak by Khanna. It was at the third time of asking that the top seed converted the match and claimed the title, winning 13-11 in the final game.

Result: Men’s Final
[1] Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) bt [2] Joseph White (AUS) 11-8, 11-9, 2-11, 11-3 (54m)

Result: Women’s Final
[1] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) bt [4] Tanvi Khanna (IND) 9-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11 (58m)