India’s 18-year-old squash player Anahat Singh became the first Indian to reach a Professional Squash Association (PSA) Gold-level semifinal after defeating Egypt’s Salma Hany at the Silicon Valley Open in Redwood City, California, on October 22, 2026. Ranked world No. 15, Anahat recovered from twice falling behind to win 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 in a 42-minute quarter-final.
The victory followed her straight-games win over Egypt’s eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini, her childhood idol, in the previous round. Anahat was scheduled to face Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam in the semifinal on October 23, with a place in the final at stake. Her consecutive victories against established international players mark a significant milestone for Indian squash.
A Historic Comeback
Anahat’s quarter-final against world No. 14 Salma Hany tested her ability to respond under pressure. Hany took the opening game 11-4, but the Indian fought back to win the second 11-8. The Egyptian regained the advantage with another 11-4 victory in the third game, leaving Anahat needing to win the remaining two games to progress. The Indian responded emphatically, dominating the fourth game 11-2 before closing out the decider 11-5.
Reflecting on the match, Anahat acknowledged her difficult start and explained her determination to keep fighting. She said she had not started well but wanted to find a way back into the contest and put up a fight regardless of the outcome. Describing the fluctuating match, she called it a “roller coaster”. Her performance demonstrated her ability to regain momentum after setbacks and maintain her composure when the match was at stake.
Result: @SVOpenSquash 2026 Women’s QF 🇮🇳 @Anahat_Singh13 beats [6] Salma Hany 🇪🇬 3-2: 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 (42m) 📝 Live updates 👉 https://t.co/ZfiBIEN7nb https://t.co/nYGIoRCC97
— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) October 22, 2026
Beyond Her Idol
Anahat’s quarter-final victory came a day after she defeated world No. 3 Nour El Sherbini, an eight-time world champion, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in just 30 minutes. The result was a major achievement for the teenager, who had grown up watching and admiring the Egyptian star. Overcoming a player she considered an inspiration also provided a significant boost ahead of the quarter-final.
Anahat’s run in California builds on her achievements earlier in 2026. She won the girls’ singles title at the World Junior Squash Championships, becoming the first Indian to claim the crown. She also won silver in women’s singles squash at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after losing the final to Sivasangari Subramaniam.
The scheduled semifinal against the Malaysian player therefore offered Anahat another opportunity to challenge an established international opponent. A victory would take her into the final of the Silicon Valley Open, further strengthening her position among the leading young players in world squash.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Anahat Singh’s journey shows that sporting success is built on talent, preparation, resilience and the courage to challenge established champions. Defeating a childhood idol and then recovering from a two-game deficit against another accomplished opponent highlight the determination required to compete at the highest level.
Her achievements also underline the importance of investing in coaching, accessible sporting facilities and international exposure so that young Indian athletes can pursue their ambitions. With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, Anahat’s progress could encourage more young people, particularly girls, to take up the sport and aspire to compete internationally.
Supporting athletes requires sustained investment and opportunities beyond moments of national celebration. How can India do more to nurture young sporting talent and help emerging athletes reach the highest levels of international competition?
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