Indian squash witnessed another defining moment on the global stage as teenage prodigy Anahat Singh produced a stunning comeback to defeat second seed Sana Ibrahim of Egypt and march into the semifinals of the Squash On Fire Open, a PSA Bronze Tour event being held in Washington DC.
In a gripping five-game contest that lasted well over an hour, the 17-year-old Indian overturned a two-game deficit to prevail 8–11, 8–11, 11–7, 11–8, 11–7, scripting one of the biggest wins of her young career.
Ranked World No. 31, Anahat entered the tournament as the seventh seed, but few could have predicted that she would knock out a player of Sana Ibrahim’s pedigree. The Egyptian, ranked World No. 17, is one of the most consistent performers on the women’s PSA Tour and arrived in Washington as one of the favourites for the title. Yet, on a cold winter evening in the US capital, it was the fearless Indian who stole the spotlight.
A rocky start against a top seed
The match began with Ibrahim imposing her authority. Using her trademark precision and length, the Egyptian controlled the opening two games, forcing Anahat deep into the back corners and capitalising on any loose ball. Ibrahim’s ability to dictate the pace saw her take the first two games 11–8, 11–8, putting the Indian teenager firmly on the back foot.
For Anahat, the early stages were a test of resilience. Ibrahim’s consistency and court coverage made it difficult for her to find attacking openings, and several long rallies ended in the Egyptian’s favour. But what separates elite athletes from merely talented ones is the ability to adapt under pressure and that is exactly what Anahat began to do from the third game onward.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
The third game marked a clear shift in momentum. Anahat began stepping forward with greater intent, cutting off Ibrahim’s length and injecting more pace into the rallies. Her tight volleys and fearless drives started to draw errors, and suddenly the rallies were no longer one-sided.
Anahat raced to a lead and never looked back in that game, taking it 11–7 and announcing that the contest was far from over. More importantly, the young Indian had found belief and her body language reflected it. The fourth game was arguably the turning point of the match. With Ibrahim keen to close things out, Anahat matched her stroke for stroke. The rallies grew longer, the exchanges more intense. But the Indian held her nerve, repeatedly retrieving difficult shots and counter-punching with precision. At 11–8, Anahat levelled the match at two games apiece, setting up a decider that few in the crowd would forget.
Ice in her veins
The fifth and final game was a test of mental toughness. With both players sensing a place in the semifinals, every rally became a battle of will as much as skill. Ibrahim tried to reassert control with her experience, but Anahat refused to back down. Time and again, the teenager absorbed pressure and turned defence into attack. Her court movement was exceptional, retrieving seemingly impossible balls and forcing Ibrahim to hit one more shot. Slowly but surely, the errors crept into the Egyptian’s game.
At 11–7, Anahat completed a remarkable comeback, collapsing in joy as she realised she had just eliminated one of the top seeds and booked her place in the semifinals.
One step from a career-defining final
With this win, Anahat moves into the last four, where she will face Sabrina Sobhy of the United States (World No. 23). Sobhy has been in strong form and will present another stiff challenge, but Anahat’s victory over Sana Ibrahim has already shown that rankings and reputations mean little when she steps on court with confidence and clarity.
For Indian squash, Anahat’s run in Washington is hugely significant. Still just 17, she is competing and winning against some of the world’s best professionals, underlining her status as one of the most exciting young players in the global game.
Veer Chotrani bows out after a memorable run
While Anahat was scripting history, India’s men’s challenge took a hit as Veer Chotrani’s impressive campaign came to an end. Chotrani, who had earlier produced a major upset to reach the quarterfinals, lost 1–3 to Declan James in his last-eight clash. Despite the defeat, Chotrani’s performance throughout the tournament was one of the standout stories of the week. His run highlighted the growing depth of Indian men’s squash, and his ability to compete with higher-ranked international opponents will give him immense confidence going forward.
Anahat Singh’s march into the semifinals of a PSA Bronze event against such elite competition is not just a personal triumph it is a statement for Indian squash. Her fearless approach, tactical maturity, and mental strength in pressure situations reflect the new generation of Indian athletes who are ready to challenge the global order.
With one more win separating her from the biggest final of her career, Anahat has already ensured that the Squash On Fire Open will be remembered as a breakthrough moment. Whether she goes one step further or not, the message is clear: Indian squash has found a new star, and she is not afraid of anyone.
