Doha, September 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s Anahat Singh made an impressive start to her campaign at the USD 242,000 Qatar Classic, defeating higher-ranked Egyptian Farida Mohamed in four games in the opening round of the season’s first PSA Platinum event.
The 19-year-old Anahat, ranked World No. 20, overcame World No. 16 Mohamed 13-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7 to book her place in the second round. She will next face Belgian World No. 9 Tinne Gilis.
Anahat comes into the tournament on the back of a major achievement, having been crowned Junior World Champion in July.
India’s World No. 24 Abhay Singh and World No. 38 Veer Chotrani will also begin their campaigns in the men’s draw. Abhay faces Swiss World No. 22 Dimitri Steinmann, while Chotrani takes on New Zealand’s World No. 2 Paul Coll.
Anahat, Abhay, Chotrani and Tanvi Khanna will represent India in squash singles at this month’s Asian Games in Japan.
Elsewhere, three-time World Junior Champion Mohamad Zakaria survived a tough opening-round contest against Germany’s Raphael Kandra. Kandra threatened to force a comeback after producing an outstanding third game on the glass court, but Zakaria held firm to overcome the 35-year-old.
The star-studded tournament features the world’s top-ranked Egyptian players, Mostafa Asal and Nouran Gohar. Peru’s World No. 2 and 2024 defending champion Diego Elias headlines the men’s field alongside New Zealand’s Paul Coll, Wales’ Joel Makin, and British stars Marwan ElShorbagy and Mohamed ElShorbagy.
Qatar’s challenge is led by national star Abdulla Al-Tamimi, ranked World No. 22, with Salem Al-Malki and Ali Al-Darwish entering through wild cards.
In the women’s draw, World No. 2 and 2024 champion Nour El Sherbini is among the leading contenders, alongside compatriot Hania El Hammamy, ranked No. 3, and England’s World No. 4 Georgina Kennedy.
The tournament’s prize pool is listed at $231,500 each for the men’s and women’s competitions, underlining the event’s status as one of the leading tournaments on the PSA Platinum calendar.
Other women’s first-round results saw second seed Aamina Orfi beat Hana Ramadan 11-2, 11-5, 11-5; Aifa Azman defeat Marina Stefanoni 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10; sixth seed Fayrouz Aboelkheir overcome Nadien Elhammamy 11-3, 11-5, 11-6; and Nardine Garas edge Nour Heikal 11-9, 11-5, 1-11, 7-11, 11-7.
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