KARACHI: Pakistan’s Ashab Irfan won the $9000 Kanso Men Open in the US on Monday. Third seed Ashab overpowered fourth seed Veer Chotrani from India 11-7, 8-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-8 in 80 minutes.
The young Indian star – this year’s National Collegiate Men’s Individual champion – was looking to cap a breakout year on the PSA Tour with his fourth title of the season, but fell behind early as Ashab Irfan took game one 11-7.
A native of Pakistan, Ashab Irfan trains regularly at the Houston Squash Club so had plenty of home support on his side, and despite losing game two 11-7, he moved within one game of victory by edging a tight third-game tiebreak, 13-11. The No 4 seed hit back to force a decider, winning the fourth 11-8, but Ashab Irfan got over the line in the fifth, as Chotrani carved a backhand serve return into the tin at 10-8 down.