India’s teenage squash sensation Anahat Singh continued to underline her growing stature on the professional circuit, advancing to the Round of 16 at the China Open 2025, a PSA Gold-level event, before bowing out to Egypt’s No.8 seed Sana Ibrahim.
Playing at the Diamond Squash Center in Shanghai, the 15-year-old from Delhi began her campaign with a commanding 3–0 victory over Egypt’s Menna Hamed, winning 11–6, 11–8, 11–3 in just 24 minutes. The result showcased both her composure and control against a more experienced opponent on one of the biggest stages of her young career. Her next match, however, proved to be a sterner test. Facing Ibrahim, ranked among the world’s top 20, Anahat started brightly, taking the opening game 11–5 with fluent shot-making and aggressive front-court play.
But the Egyptian soon adjusted her length and tempo, turning the contest around to win 5–11, 11–6, 11–4, 11–7, ending the Indian’s spirited run in the Round of 16.
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Anahat’s first-round performance against Menna Hamed reflected the confidence and maturity that have marked her steady rise over the past two seasons. The Indian junior No.1 dictated the tempo from the opening rallies, keeping the rallies short and forcing Hamed into defensive positions early. Her deft use of cross-court drops and clever deception near the ‘T’ made the difference as she took the first game 11–6.
The second game was more competitive, with Hamed using her reach and experience to extend rallies. But Anahat’s calmness under pressure stood out she stayed patient in long exchanges, countering Hamed’s physicality with tactical variety. Once she took a 2–0 lead, the Egyptian’s resistance crumbled. In the third, the Indian ran away with it 11–3, closing the match in dominant fashion.
It was a near-perfect start to the tournament and another signal that Anahat belongs among the elite, even as she continues to balance junior and senior competition on the PSA circuit.
Pushing the 8th Seed to the Limit
In her Round of 16 encounter against Sana Ibrahim, Anahat showed why she’s widely considered one of the most promising young talents in world squash. Playing without fear, she started aggressively, varying her lengths and attacking early opportunities to take the first game 11–5. However, Ibrahim, a more seasoned campaigner with several deep PSA runs to her name, recovered well. She began dominating the middle of the court, taking advantage of her superior reach and court coverage to neutralize Anahat’s attacking rhythm.
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Despite losing the next three games, Anahat continued to test the Egyptian with her quick movement and sharp shot placement. The match lasted 38 minutes a competitive showing that, while ending in defeat, will serve as a valuable learning experience in her evolving career.
While Anahat’s performance was the highlight of India’s campaign in Shanghai, the men’s results reflected the difficulty of competing in a high-calibre PSA Gold draw. Abhay Singh fell 0–3 (8–11, 7–11, 4–11) to France’s Baptiste Masotti, while Velavan Senthilkumar produced a strong fight but eventually went down 0–3 (8–11, 12–14, 6–11) to Egypt’s Mohamed Abouelghar. Both matches demonstrated the fine margins that separate the top 30 players from those chasing entry into the elite tier.
For Abhay, who has been in good form on the Challenger circuit, the challenge was adapting to Masotti’s relentless pace and low error count. Velavan, meanwhile, can take heart from his competitiveness in the second game against Abouelghar, where he held three game points before the Egyptian closed it out 14–12.
The China Open’s PSA Gold status makes it one of the premier events on the world tour, drawing top-20 players from across Egypt, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Europe. For India’s contingent, it offered a critical exposure opportunity ahead of a busy 2026 season that includes the Asian Individual Championships and World Team Championships.
For Anahat Singh, in particular, this tournament reinforces her trajectory as India’s next big name in women’s squash. Her first-round victory and fearless approach against higher-ranked opponents mirror the qualities that have long defined India’s top female players from Joshna Chinappa’s longevity to Dipika Pallikal’s breakthrough years. Already competing regularly on the PSA circuit and balancing her junior career, Anahat’s focus now shifts to building physical strength and endurance to sustain long, intense matches at the Gold and Platinum level.
Despite her Round of 16 exit, Anahat’s performances in Shanghai underline her readiness to transition from promising junior to genuine senior competitor. Every outing against the sport’s best adds a layer of experience particularly in tournaments like the China Open, where she now shares the draw with seasoned professionals such as Hania El Hammamy, Olivia Weaver, and defending champion Rachel Arnold.
For Indian squash, her progress is a reason for optimism. In a year where the men’s circuit continues to rebuild and the women’s depth is still developing, Anahat’s rise represents both hope and renewal.
At just 17, she’s already competing and winning at PSA Gold level. The future, clearly, is bright.
Results – Indian Players (China Open 2025):
- Anahat Singh (IND) def. Menna Hamed (EGY) 3–0 (11–6, 11–8, 11–3)
- Anahat Singh (IND) lost to [8] Sana Ibrahim (EGY) 1–3 (11–5, 6–11, 4–11, 7–11)
- Abhay Singh (IND) lost to Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 0–3 (8–11, 7–11, 4–11)
- Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) lost to Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 0–3 (8–11, 12–14, 6–11)
