Aichi-Nagoya, 25 September (H.S.): Indian squash players Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh delivered impressive performances on Friday to reach the women’s and men’s singles semifinals, respectively, at the 2026 Asian Games. Both players advanced to the last four after winning their respective quarterfinal matches in straight games.

Eighteen-year-old Anahat Singh defeated her compatriot, 30-year-old Tanvi Khanna, 3-0 (11-2, 11-5, 11-3) in the women’s singles quarterfinal. Anahat wrapped up the contest in just 15 minutes.

Anahat took control of the match from the opening game. Using a series of superb drop shots, she won the first game 11-2. Her quick and aggressive style caused considerable difficulty for Tanvi.

Anahat continued to maintain the pressure in the second game. Tanvi attempted to fight back, but Anahat secured the game 11-5 to take a 2-0 lead. She maintained her rhythm in the third game as well, winning 11-3 to seal her place in the semifinals.

In the semifinal, Anahat will face Japan’s Satomi Watanabe. The sixth-ranked player in the world, Watanabe won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. The two players have met once previously, when Anahat surrendered a 2-0 lead and eventually lost the match 2-3.

Abhay Singh Also Reaches Last Four

In the men’s singles event, Abhay Singh defeated Japan’s Ryunosuke Tsukue 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-6) to advance to the semifinals. In the contest, which lasted around 30 minutes, Abhay dominated from the outset and gave the Japanese player little opportunity to make a comeback.

Abhay could face compatriot Veer Chotrani in the semifinals if Veer defeats Pakistan’s Muhammad Irfan in his quarterfinal match. In that scenario, the men’s singles event would feature an all-Indian semifinal, assuring India of at least a silver medal.

India have already secured a medal in squash. The pair of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar have reached the mixed doubles semifinals. The Indian duo defeated the Philippines’ David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado in the quarterfinals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar