Challenger Events

LBSQUASH Summer Pro Preview: Riya Navani Eyeing Top 100 Breakthrough

12 June 2023

The J.P Morgan LBSQUASH Summer Pro Challenger 5 event gets underway from Greenwich Academy tomorrow with 24 women looking to take home the title.

World No.66 Malak Khafagy is the No.1 seed for the event as she looks to claim a second PSA title of the season after a win at the Odense Open in March. She is due to face No.5 seed Riya Navani in the quarter finals later this week. We caught up with Navani to look ahead to the event:

Q. Firstly, how do you feel you are currently playing?

A. I feel like I’m currently playing quite well. Since school ended, I’ve had a lot more time to get some good training in and I think I’m in a phase right now where I’ve worked on a lot of little things and am just trying to see them come together so hopefully they do this tournament.

Q. The last time we spoke was just after your appearance at the NetSuite Open. How do you feel that experience helped you in your first few events on the Challenger Tour?

A.The NetSuite Open was an invaluable experience. Playing one of the top 30 in the world opened my eyes to the standard of squash that it takes to be ranked that high. With every match I’ve played on the tour after that, I’ve just been gaining experience and working on building to get closer to that level.

Q. You reached your first final on Tour last time out in the Netherlands, knocking out two of the top four seeds on the way. What was that week like for you? And secondly, that must give you confidence that a first title is close?

A. That week in The Netherlands was definitely one of the most enjoyable since I was playing well and definitely gained lots of confidence by beating higher-ranked players. Also, getting the opportunity to play and explore squash in a different country is extremely exciting.

Q. You’re back on home soil this week in Greenwich. Do you feel more comfortable playing in the US compared to playing abroad, or is it just something that doesn’t really bother you?

A. Playing in the US is always comfortable since I know the area and always know a few people too. But honestly, I’ve played in so many places through juniors and even on the tour that I don’t think it affects me that much anymore and I’m thankful for all those incredible experiences.

Q. You’ve been climbing the rankings, and are now in the 130s. How close do you feel you are to breaking into the world’s top 100 for the first time?

A. I’m still hungry to climb the rankings and play more with the top women but I’m also taking my time with it and enjoying it since I know I have many more years to play. I’m not too focused on the number, I’m more just taking the opportunities as they come and trying to gain as much experience as I can. But, of course, I do aim to break into the top 100’s soon and hopefully push even higher!

The event takes place from 13 – 17 June and you can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook.

First Round Draw: J.P. Morgan LBSQUASH Summer Pro

[1] Malak Khafagy (EGY) Bye

Min Jie Teh (MAS) v [9/16] Maria Moya (ECU)

[9/16] Jana Swaify (EGY) v Charlotte Pastel (USA)

[5] Riya Navani (USA) Bye

[8] Erisa Sano Herring (JPN) Bye

Sarita Popat (USA) v [9/16] Amal Izhar (CAN)

[9/16] Hannah Guthrie (CAN) v Julia Le Coq (FRA)

[4] Kincso Szász (HUN) Bye

[3] Caroline Fouts (USA) Bye

Ava Lin (USA) v [9/16] Bruna Marchesi Petrillo (BRA)

[9/16] Sara Khan (CAN) v Emma Trauber (USA)