Indian squash continues to discover new peaks, and at the centre of this rise stands 17-year-old Anahat Singh poised, fearless, and rapidly becoming the face of the country’s women’s game.
On a gripping evening in Indore, Anahat captured her 13th professional title, defeating Indian veteran and former national champion Joshna Chinappa in a pulsating five-game final at the Indian Open Challenger 15K. The top seed prevailed 3–2 (11–8, 11–13, 11–9, 6–11, 11–9) after 54 minutes of high-intensity squash that blended attacking flair with remarkable mental fortitude.
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The championship match carried a narrative beyond just points and rallies. On one side stood Joshna, a trailblazing figure who has pushed Indian women’s squash into the global spotlight for nearly two decades. On the other stood Anahat, the teenager widely regarded as the future of the sport in India. Their clash brought not only technical brilliance but a symbolic passing-of-the-baton moment in Indian squash.
Anahat started sharply, taking the first game 11–8 with her trademark early-taking volleys and tight drops. Joshna, using her experience and superior length, responded in the second, edging it 13–11 as she slowed the pace and forced errors. The match swung again in the third. Anahat regained her rhythm, mixing deception at the front court with aggressive mid-court interceptions to claim it 11–9. But the veteran refused to fade. Joshna dominated the fourth game, using controlled lines and better court positioning to push the contest into a deciding fifth.
At 9–9 in the final game, the tension was palpable. Anahat, displaying maturity beyond her years, produced two decisive rallies finished off with crisp winners to seal the championship. The final game score of 11–9 captured the knife-edge nature of the contest.
A Gritty Road to the Title
While the final was a spectacle, Anahat’s route to the trophy was equally eventful. She had to navigate tough opposition throughout the week, particularly in her semifinal against world No. 67 Hannah Craig of Ireland.
In that last-four match, Anahat staged a spirited comeback, overturning a 1–2 deficit to eventually prevail 3–2 (11–4, 10–12, 9–11, 11–6, 11–4). After a fast start, she momentarily lost control in the second and third games, where Craig’s aggressive pace paid off. But the top seed quickly recalibrated, tightening her lines and increasing pressure through higher-tempo rallies. The final two games saw Anahat back at her best, dictating play and closing out the match with authority.
Joshna, meanwhile, pulled off one of the notable results of the tournament in her semifinal, defeating Egyptian second seed Nadien Elhammamy 3–1. Her consistency and ability to extend rallies disrupted the younger opponent’s rhythm and set up the much-anticipated India-versus-India final.
Dominance in Early Rounds
Before the pressure of the later stages, Anahat had cruised through her opening matches.
- In the Round of 16, she defeated India’s Pooja Arthi 3–0, showcasing clean ball control and an aggressive attacking shape.
- In the quarterfinals, she outplayed Germany’s Katerina Tycova, again winning 3–0 in a performance marked by crisp movement and ruthless accuracy at the front of the court.
Her progression straight-game wins in R16 and quarters, followed by two five-game tests in the semis and final highlighted not only her technical range but her growing ability to adjust under pressure.
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With this victory, Anahat adds yet another title to what has become a remarkable record for someone so young. Thirteen professional trophies by 17 signals not just talent, but a deep understanding of competitive squash and an ability to thrive in varied match situations.
She has already established herself as India’s No. 1 women’s player, and performances like this underline why she is increasingly seen as a future top-20 contender on the PSA Tour. Her fitness, shot selection, and composure especially in tight deciders showcase a maturity that continues to impress coaches and observers.
A New Chapter for Indian Women’s Squash
The Indore final represented a symbolic moment: a legend of the sport pushing the next superstar to her limits, and a teenager demonstrating she is ready for the next stage of her professional journey. Joshna’s run to the final was itself a reminder of her enduring class, but the week belonged to Anahat Singh sharp, resilient, and clearly on an upward trajectory.
As Indian squash looks to expand its international presence, performances like these signal a promising future. Anahat’s 13th title may just be another milestone on paper, but the manner in which it came through grit, quality, and a dramatic five-game finale cements her status as the new standard-bearer of women’s squash in India.
