Anahat Singh Makes History at Silicon Valley Open
Anahat Singh has made a remarkable comeback to defeat Egypt’s Salma Hany and secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Silicon Valley Open, marking her first entry into the last four of a PSA Gold event. The talented 18-year-old turned the match around after falling behind with scores of 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, and 11-5, delivering an impressive performance in just 42 minutes.
Facing a challenging start against Hany, who is currently ranked 14th in the world, Anahat found herself trailing in the match. However, she flipped the momentum in the fourth game, allowing her to take control in the final games. After the match, Anahat acknowledged her rocky start but expressed her determination to fight back against Hany.
“I didn’t start off well, especially losing the first game 11-4. But I was determined to fight my way back into it. Whether I won or lost, I didn’t want it to come easy for her,” Anahat shared. “I fought hard in the second game to level the match, and it turned out to be a roller coaster ride. I’m really happy to have come through.”
A New Milestone for Indian Squash
This victory marks Anahat’s first PSA Gold semi-final, a significant achievement in her senior career. Previously, she reached the quarter-finals at the London Squash Classic, becoming the first Indian woman to reach the last eight in a Gold-level event since Joshna Chinappa in 2021. This time, she has gone even further.
Her journey in Silicon Valley has demonstrated her ability to tackle various challenges. After losing two of the first three games against Hany, Anahat’s commanding performance in the last two games illustrated a stark contrast to her initial struggles.
Anahat’s Big Breakthrough Continues
In the previous round, Anahat had already made waves by defeating eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini, winning in straight games at 11-8, 11-8, and 11-7 in just 30 minutes, marking a significant milestone in her career. Following that victory with a comeback against Hany adds to her impressive run in California.
Anahat is now set to face Malaysia’s World No. 4, Sivasangari Subramaniam, for a chance to reach the finals. The two had previously met in the 2026 Asian Games women’s singles final, where Sivasangari claimed gold, leaving Anahat with silver. This next match will be another opportunity for Anahat to test her skills against the Malaysian player while vying for a place in the Silicon Valley Open final.
Having already made history this year as the first Indian to win the girls’ singles title at the World Junior Squash Championships, Anahat is eager to add another achievement to her growing list of accomplishments.
