18-Year-Old Indian Squash Sensation Sweeps Past World No. 3; Set to Face Salma Hany Next

Redwood City, October 22(HS): India’s rising squash star Anahat Singh pulled off a major upset at the Silicon Valley Open, defeating Egypt’s eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini to advance to the quarter-finals.

In the second-round match played on Thursday, the 18-year-old Indian defeated the world No. 3 and top seed in straight games, winning 11-8, 11-8, 11-7. The contest lasted 30 minutes.

Ranked 15th in the world, Anahat registered what is regarded as the biggest victory of her career. The Indian player, who recently won the silver medal in the singles event at the Asian Games, once again demonstrated her ability to compete against the sport’s elite with this impressive performance.

Anahat will now face Egypt’s Salma Hany in the quarter-finals of the PSA Gold-level tournament, which carries a total prize purse of US$143,500. Hany is currently ranked 14th in the world.

Anahat began her campaign by defeating Egypt’s Nour Aboulmakarim in straight games. Her subsequent triumph over the highly experienced and accomplished El Sherbini has further strengthened her position as a contender for the title.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar