Indian squash player Anahat Singh defeated her childhood idol and eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini of Egypt in straight games at the Silicon Valley Open in Redwood City, California, on Wednesday, October 21.
The 18-year-old won 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in just 30 minutes against the top-seeded Egyptian, who is ranked World No. 3, to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Gold-level tournament. Ranked World No. 15, Anahat described the victory as an unexpected but deeply meaningful achievement, having grown up watching El Sherbini compete.
The Indian credited her game plan and ability to remain committed to it for the result. The victory marks the biggest win of her professional career and comes shortly after her historic silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games, further strengthening her position among the emerging talents in international squash.
Idol Turned Opponent
Speaking after the match, Anahat reflected on the experience of competing against a player whose achievements have inspired her own sporting ambitions. “I’ve grown up watching every single match of hers,” she said, as reported by the PSA Squash Tour. She added that she admired El Sherbini and hoped to achieve similar milestones during her career, describing the Egyptian as an inspiration to squash players. The encounter was particularly significant because it was the first time the two had shared a court in competition. Anahat also revealed that they work with the same coach, former World No. 1 Grégory Gaultier.
Despite the stature of her opponent, the Indian approached the match with confidence, encouraged by India’s national coach, who was present at the venue. Anahat said she had been told she had a genuine chance of winning if she played well. Initially expecting to need time to adjust to El Sherbini’s game, she instead found that her strategy worked effectively.
“The game plan ended up working pretty well and I just stuck through it,” she said, admitting that she still found the result difficult to believe. Her composed performance across all three games ensured that she did not allow the experienced Egyptian to force a deciding game.
From Promise To Progress
The Silicon Valley Open, held from October 20 to 24, is a PSA Gold-level tournament featuring leading players from the international squash circuit, with a prize fund of US$143,500. Before facing El Sherbini, Anahat began her campaign with another straight-games victory, defeating Egypt’s Nour Aboulmakarim 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 in 31 minutes. Her second-round triumph was a considerably bigger test, given El Sherbini’s record of eight world championship titles and her standing among the most accomplished players in women’s squash.
The result also adds to an impressive year for the young Indian, who won the women’s singles silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. In September, she became the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games medal in women’s singles squash, reaching the final before losing to Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam.
Anahat also claimed the world junior championship title earlier in 2026, underlining her ability to succeed at both junior and senior levels. Following her victory over El Sherbini, she was scheduled to face Egypt’s Salma Hany in the quarter-finals on October 22.
With squash preparing to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, Anahat’s progress offers an encouraging glimpse of India’s potential in a sport long dominated by players from Egypt and other established squash nations.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Anahat Singh’s victory is a reminder that sporting success is built not only on talent and physical ability but also on preparation, resilience and the courage to challenge established champions. Defeating someone she has admired since childhood makes the achievement particularly meaningful: she respected her opponent’s accomplishments while stepping onto the court determined to compete on equal terms.
Such moments show how admiration and healthy competition can coexist, with one athlete’s achievements inspiring another generation to pursue its own ambitions. Anahat’s journey also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for young athletes, providing them with quality coaching and supporting their development beyond traditional sporting powerhouses.
As India celebrates her latest milestone, the focus should remain on sustained investment in grassroots sport, accessible training facilities and pathways that help talented players reach the international stage. Beyond the result itself, her performance demonstrates the value of believing in one’s preparation without being intimidated by an opponent’s reputation. What do you think India’s sporting institutions can do to help more young athletes like Anahat Singh compete with the world’s best?
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