Anahat Singh announces herself to the world with a landmark Squash On Fire Open triumph

At just 17, Anahat Singh has already been tagged as the future of Indian squash. On Sunday night in Washington DC, she made it very clear that the future might already be here.

The teenage sensation produced the most commanding performance of her young career to lift the Squash On Fire Open 2026 (PSA Bronze), beating World No.10 and top seed Georgina Kennedy in straight games to secure the biggest title India has seen in women’s squash in recent years.

The scoreline 12–10, 11–5, 11–7 barely captured the authority with which Anahat controlled the final. Against a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and one of the most physically imposing players on the PSA Tour, the Indian teenager did not look overawed for a single rally. Instead, she played with maturity well beyond her years, dictating the pace, neutralising Kennedy’s power, and repeatedly winning the tactical battles in the front corners.

For Anahat, this was not just another trophy. It was the clearest statement yet that she belongs at the very top level of women’s squash.

A final that underlined her evolution

Coming into the title match, Georgina Kennedy was the obvious favourite. Ranked World No.10, a regular in the latter stages of Platinum and Gold events, and a proven winner on the big stage, she had all the pedigree. But from the opening exchanges, it was Anahat who looked more settled.

The first game was the most competitive. Kennedy tried to impose herself physically, hitting hard and looking to rush the young Indian, but Anahat absorbed the pressure beautifully. Her defensive retrievals frustrated the Briton, while her soft hands at the front of the court created openings. At 10–10, with the game in the balance, Anahat showed remarkable composure, winning two straight points to close it out 12–10.

That moment changed the complexion of the final. In the second game, Anahat raised her level another notch. Her length tightened, her drop shots found the nick, and Kennedy was forced into rushed errors. The Indian teenager raced through the game 11–5, suddenly leaving the top seed searching for answers.

By the third, the belief was obvious. Anahat moved with complete freedom, taking the ball early and using clever angles to drag Kennedy out of position. The rallies became shorter, the control more evident, and Anahat closed out the match 11–7 to complete a stunning straight-games victory.

It was a performance that combined technical excellence with tactical intelligence – and it came on the biggest night of her career.

What made this Squash On Fire Open triumph even more remarkable was the path Anahat had to take to get there. This was not a lucky draw or a soft route to the title. It was a brutal gauntlet of elite opponents, and she beat every one of them on merit. In the quarterfinals, she came up against the World No.17 and second seed, a player who, on paper, should have been far too strong for a 17-year-old ranked outside the top 30.

Anahat, however, produced one of the grittiest performances of the tournament, coming back from two games down to win in five. That comeback showed her growing resilience and her refusal to be overawed by ranking or reputation.

In the semifinals, the challenge grew tougher. Facing World No.23, Anahat was up against an opponent who had been in excellent form throughout the week. Once again, she found a way, controlling the tempo and outplaying her rival to book her place in the final. Then came the ultimate test: World No.10 Georgina Kennedy, the top seed and Commonwealth Games champion. Instead of merely competing, Anahat dominated. To defeat World No.17, World No.23, and World No.10 in consecutive matches, all in a single PSA event, is something even established professionals struggle to do. For a teenager still learning the rhythms of the tour, it was extraordinary.

A milestone for Indian squash

Indian women’s squash has waited a long time for a moment like this. While the country has produced world-class players before, wins of this magnitude at the professional level have been rare. Anahat’s triumph signals a shift.

At 17, she is already showing the hallmarks of a future world-beater: supreme fitness, calm under pressure, intelligent shot selection, and, most importantly, a fearless mindset. Against Kennedy, she did not just survive the big moments – she thrived in them. This title will also bring a significant jump in her PSA ranking, pushing her closer to the world’s elite and opening doors to even bigger tournaments. More importantly, it gives her something invaluable: belief that she can beat anyone.

One title does not define a career, but it can change its trajectory. For Anahat Singh, the Squash On Fire Open could well be that turning point. She has now proven that she can go toe-to-toe with the world’s best and come out on top.

The challenge now will be consistency. The PSA Tour is relentless, and maintaining this level week after week is the true test of a champion. But if this week in Washington DC is any indication, Indian squash has a genuine star in the making. On a cold American evening, Anahat Singh did far more than lift a trophy. She announced herself to the global squash community. And judging by the way she dismantled the World No.10, it feels like this is only the beginning.