Iranian Navy Army QF: Prabhu Gatecrashes Semi-Finals

India’s Navaneeth Prabhu has broken into the last four of the Commemoration of the Martyrs of the Iranian Navy Army, taking down the No.2 seed to make the semi-finals of the Challenger 3 level tournament.

The Indian was the only non-Iranian left in the field coming into the last eight of the competition in Tehran, and he faced off against No.2 seed Mohammad Kashani in the quarter finals, coming through in four games.

Prabhu, who was the No.6 seed for the event, sits more than 140 places below Kashani in the world rankings, but that did make a difference on Wednesday, as he was able to withstand a fightback from the Iranian. The match was level at one game apiece after Kashani had claimed the second 13-11, but Prabhu regrouped to take the next two games and book his place in the last four.

The Indian will now face No.3 seed Sepehr Etemadpoor in the semi-finals on Thursday, after he defeated wildcard Alireza Riaz in straight games in his last eight contest. The other semi-final will see top seed Alireza Shameli take on Sami Ghasedabadi, after the pair both won their quarter final matches.

The Commemoration of the Martyrs of the Iranian Navy Army continues on Thursday, March 3, with the semi-finals taking place at the Heydarnia Squash Complex in Tehran, Iran.

Quarter Final Results: Commemoration of the Martyrs of the Iranian Navy Army
[1] Alireza Shameli (IRI) bt [5] Soheil Shameli (IRI) 3-1: 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-4 (24m)
[4] Sami Ghasedabadi (IRI) bt Danial Gharooni (IRI) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 (32m)
[3] Sepehr Etemadpoor (IRI) bt [WC] Alireza Riaz (IRI) 3-0; 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 (23m)
[6] Navaneeth Prabhu (IND) bt [2] Mohammad Kashani (IRI) 3-1: 11-9, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6 (47m)

Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Thursday, March 3
[1] Alireza Shameli (IRI) v [4] Sami Ghasedabadi (IRI)
[3] Sepehr Etemadpoor (IRI) v [6] Navaneeth Prabhu (IND)