Om Semwal Shocks Higher-Ranked Opponent at Indian Open 2026

The Indian Open 2026 kicked off with a bang as Om Semwal stunned higher-ranked Sebastian Salazar in a gripping five-game match. The 22-year-old Indian player showcased incredible resilience, saving five match points to secure a dramatic victory. Other notable matches included Yassin Shohdy's comeback win and strong performances from players like Ambre Allinckx and Ibrahim Elkabbani. With top Indian players set to join the competition, the tournament promises to be an exciting lead-up to squash's Olympic debut in 2028. Read on for detailed results and highlights from Day 1.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 19, 2026, 02:18 IST

Exciting Day One at the Indian Open 2026

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 18: In a thrilling start to the Indian Open 2026, India's Om Semwal pulled off a stunning upset by defeating the higher-ranked Mexican player, Sebastian Salazar, in a nail-biting five-game match held in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Semwal, currently ranked 223rd globally, displayed exceptional poise under pressure, managing to overcome world No. 109 Salazar with a score of 3-2 at the CCI Brabourne Stadium. Semwal saved five match points during the match before clinching one of the most significant victories of his career in a dramatic finish.

In another exciting match, Egypt's Yassin Shohdy made a remarkable comeback to defeat France's Manuel Paquemar 3-1. After narrowly losing the first game 10-12, Shohdy bounced back to win the second 13-11 and then dominated the final games to secure the match.

Switzerland's Ambre Allinckx also advanced with a 3-1 victory over Tessa ter Sluis from the Netherlands, while Egypt's Ibrahim Elkabbani triumphed over India's Suraj Kumar Chand by the same scoreline.

Several matches were more straightforward, with players like Wong Chi Him from Hong Kong, Spain's Sofia Mateos, Matthew Lai, and Danielle Ray all winning their matches in straight games.

Top Indian players, including reigning women's champion Anahat Singh and Asian Games medallist Abhay Singh, are set to begin their campaigns on Thursday after receiving first-round byes, alongside Veer Chotrani, Joshna Chinappa, and Ramit Tandon.

This tournament is a crucial event on the squash circuit as the sport gains momentum ahead of its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, with both emerging and established players eager to make their presence felt.

Results from Day 1 of the India Open 2026

Women's Round 1

* Breanne Flynn (IRL) bt. Lea Barbeau (FRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-2, 14-12 (29m)

* Ambre Allinckx (SUI) bt. Tessa ter Sluis (NED) 3-1: 9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (34m)

* Sofia Mateos (ESP) bt. Shameena Riaz (IND) 3-0: 11-2, 11-8, 11-4 (21m)

* Elise Romba (FRA) bt. Risa Sugimoto (JPN) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (19m)

* Danielle Ray (CAN) bt. Rathika Suthanthira Seelan (IND) 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 11-5 (23m)

* Tanvi Khanna (IND) bt. Maya Weishar (GER) 3-1: 15-13, 12-10, 7-11, 11-4 (37m)

* Farida Walid (EGY) bt. Nirupama Dubey (IND) 3-0: 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (19m)

* Sehveetrraa Kumar (MAS) bt. Unnati Tripathi (IND) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 (18m)

Men's Round 1

* Chi Him Wong (HKG) bt. Ayaan Vaziralli (IND) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-3 (27m)

* Yannik Omlor (GER) bt. Yash Fadte (IND) 3-0: 13-11, 11-9, 12-10 (48m)

* Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) bt. Suraj Kumar Chand (IND) 3-1: 12-14, 11-4, 11-1, 11-6 (48m)

* Om Semwal (IND) bt. Sebastian Salazar (MEX) 3-2: 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 10-12, 19-17 (72m)

* Matthew Lai (HKG) bt. Mohammad Syafiq Kamal (MAS) 3-0: 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 (36m)

* Yassin Shohdy (EGY) bt. Manuel Paquemar (FRA) 3-1: 10-12, 13-11, 11-5, 11-7 (48m)

* Duncan Lee (MAS) bt. Ravindu Laksiri (SRI) 3-1: 9-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-5 (38m)

* Ameeshenraj Chandaran (MAS) bt. Naoki Hayashi (JPN) 3-1: 8-11, 13-11, 11-4, 11-9 (54m).