India’s top male squash player Abhay Singh produced a commendable campaign at the US Open Squash 2025 (PSA Platinum) before bowing out in the Round of 16 against Joel Makin of Wales.
Playing at the Drexel University courts in Philadelphia, Abhay faced one of the sport’s most physically demanding and tactically disciplined players and while he went down in straight games, his performance earlier in the tournament once again underlined India’s growing presence on the PSA circuit.
Abhay Singh, ranked World No. 30, began his campaign with a career-defining win over Egypt’s Mohamed Elsherbini (WR 31) in the Round of 32. In what was one of the early thrillers of the men’s draw, Abhay fought back from a two-game deficit to claim a 3–2 victory (11–8, 4–11, 4–11, 11–6, 11–5) after 63 minutes of relentless play. The match showcased the 26-year-old Indian’s tactical maturity — particularly his ability to adjust after losing back-to-back games. After falling behind 1–2, Abhay began to vary the pace, using softer touches at the front and attacking the mid-court more aggressively.
His improved control of the ’T’ and composure under pressure in the fifth game helped him seal one of the biggest wins of his PSA Platinum career. That victory booked his place in the Round of 16, making him the only Indian male player left in the main draw after Ramit Tandon bowed out earlier in the day.
Ramit Tandon Falls to Paul Coll
Ramit Tandon, India’s other entrant in the men’s draw, faced a daunting first-round task against World No. 3 Paul Coll of New Zealand. The former World No. 1 showed his class in a straight-games win, beating Tandon 11–4, 11–9, 11–7. Despite the loss, Ramit displayed solid fight in the second and third games, particularly with his length and retrievals, but Coll’s superior physicality and precision proved decisive.
With Tandon’s exit, all eyes turned to Abhay Singh India’s last remaining hope as he prepared to face one of the sport’s most consistent performers, Joel Makin, in the pre-quarterfinals.
Facing Joel Makin, known for his intensity and endurance, was always going to be an uphill challenge. The Welshman, seeded third in the tournament, lived up to his billing, defeating Abhay 3–0 (11–2, 11–5, 11–4) in a 38-minute contest. Makin’s trademark defensive solidity and immaculate movement across the court restricted Abhay’s ability to create openings. The Indian player started positively in the second game, trying to increase the pace and engage Makin in longer rallies, but the Welshman’s relentless retrievals and precision at the back court left little room for error.
The first game set the tone, as Makin’s early 5–0 lead forced Abhay to chase throughout. By the third game, fatigue began to show, and Makin closed out the match with clinical efficiency. Despite the defeat, Abhay earned valuable ranking points from his Round of 16 finish in one of the PSA Tour’s most prestigious Platinum events.
For Abhay Singh, this performance caps off an impressive stretch on the PSA circuit in 2025. The Chennai-based player has been India’s standout performer since the start of the year, breaking into the top 30 of the world rankings and consistently featuring in the main draws of major PSA events. His victory over Elsherbini, a top-35 player with a strong record on the PSA Tour, demonstrates his ability to compete with and beat established international names. The win also strengthens his position as India’s leading men’s player, especially at a time when the national circuit is looking to rebuild.
Abhay’s steady rise through the rankings and his fearless approach on the court reflect both his personal commitment and the improving support structure within Indian squash. Training under national coach Chris Walker, with tactical input from the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) and international support through PSA’s player programs, Abhay has shown visible improvements in his fitness, shot selection, and mental resilience.
India’s Growing PSA Footprint
Although the US Open ended with Abhay’s exit in the Round of 16, the larger takeaway is positive Indian players are increasingly competitive at the highest level of the PSA circuit. With players like Anahat Singh making waves in women’s squash and Velavan Senthilkumar breaking into the men’s top 50, Indian squash is entering a phase of sustained global visibility. The challenge ahead will be consistency converting competitive performances into quarterfinal and semifinal appearances in Platinum-level events. For Abhay, the immediate focus shifts to the upcoming Hong Kong Open and Malaysian Open, where he’ll aim to build on his current form and continue pushing toward the world’s top 25.
Final Score Summary: US Open 2025 (Men’s Singles)
Round of 32: Abhay Singh bt. Mohamed Elsherbini 3–2 (11–8, 4–11, 4–11, 11–6, 11–5)
Round of 16: [3] Joel Makin bt. Abhay Singh 3–0 (11–2, 11–5, 11–4) in 38 minutes
Ramit Tandon (IND) lost to [2] Paul Coll 0–3 (4–11, 9–11, 7–11)
Abhay Singh may have exited the US Open Squash 2025 in the Round of 16, but his fighting spirit and composure in Philadelphia once again reinforced that Indian squash is no longer playing catch-up it’s learning to compete, point for point, with the world’s best.
