Redwood City, October 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian squash star Anahat Singh produced the biggest victory of her career, defeating Egypt’s eight-time world champion Nour ElSherbini in straight games to storm into the quarterfinals of the Silicon Valley Open in the United States.
The 18-year-old, currently ranked world No. 15, defeated top seed and world No. 3 ElSherbini 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in 30 minutes in the second round of the $143,500 PSA Gold tournament.
“I’ve grown up watching every single match of hers. I want to achieve the things that she has done in her career. Seh is inspiration to all squash players. Getting a chance to share a court with her was my first time. I didn’t expect it to go like this. I thought I’d take a little while to settle in and understand how to play her. My game plan ended up working well,” Anahat said after the victory.
Anahat will next face Egypt’s world No. 14 Salma Hany for a place in the semifinals.
The win adds to a landmark year for the Indian teenager. At the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, she became the first Indian woman to reach the squash singles final, eventually taking silver after losing 3-0 to Malaysia’s defending champion Sivasangari Subramaniam, who won 11-4, 11-4, 11-7.
Anahat had previously secured two bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, in women’s team and mixed doubles events.
Earlier in 2026, she also made history by winning the girls’ singles title at the World Junior Squash Championships, becoming the first Indian to claim the crown and ending Egypt’s 15-year reign in the event.
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