Mumbai, March 22 (NationPress) It was a night filled with joy for squash enthusiasts in India as local stars Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh clinched the men’s and women’s championships, respectively, during the final day of the Indian Open 2026 at CCI on Sunday.

The men’s final was an all-Indian affair, with the second-seeded Abhay defeating his compatriot and fourth seed Veer Chotrani decisively with a score of 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-4). Meanwhile, the young prodigy Anahat triumphed over Hana Moataz from Egypt with a 3-1 victory (11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6) in the women’s final.

Abhay showcased remarkable skill throughout his match. Although Chotrani fought valiantly in the initial games, the second seed elevated his performance as the contest progressed.

The first game was a tightly contested duel, with both players fiercely vying for every point. Ultimately, Abhay Singh emerged victorious in this back-and-forth battle, winning the first game 11-9.

The second game followed a similar pattern, with long rallies keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. Abhay successfully countered Chotrani’s intense challenge to secure an 11-8 win and extend his lead.

In the third game, Abhay intensified his play, leaving Chotrani struggling to anticipate his clever angles and powerful shots. The second seed closed the match with an 11-4 victory, claiming the championship title.

After winning the Indian Open 2026, Abhay Singh (ranked #2 in India) expressed his joy, stating, “I’m truly delighted to have won this tournament. The state of Indian squash is thriving, with four men in the top 50 and Anahat leading in the Women’s World Championships. My individual goal is the LA Olympics, but we also have a significant year ahead to defend our gold. While we compete against each other on tour, this year is about coming together to support one another in our quest for gold in Japan.”

Earlier, the top-seeded Anahat Singh delivered an outstanding performance, defeating Hana Moataz of Egypt to secure the women’s championship.

Despite facing a more experienced second seed in Hana, the younger Anahat demonstrated her prowess. She utilized a lethal mix of deceptive shots and quick cross-court movements that left her opponent struggling to keep pace.

Initially, both competitors were evenly matched, exchanging points effortlessly. The first game saw the lead shift frequently before the Indian player surged ahead with six consecutive points to claim it 11-5.

Anahat maintained her form in the second game, quickly establishing a 5-1 lead. Although Hana fought back valiantly, she couldn't keep up with the in-form Indian, who won the second game 11-6, doubling her lead.

In the third game, Hana mounted a spirited comeback, narrowly winning 11-9 to remain in contention.

Attempting to slow the pace of the match, Hana utilized her tricky shot angles effectively.

The loss of the third game seemed to disrupt Anahat's rhythm, as Hana quickly raced to a 4-1 lead in the fourth. However, Anahat regrouped, fought back to take the lead at 5-4, and ultimately clinched the game 11-6 to win the title.

Reflecting on her victory at the Indian Open for the second year in a row, Anahat Singh (ranked #1 in India) said, “I believe I played well in the initial two games; I lost my way a bit in the third. I was excited about my performance. My coach advised me to focus on starting strong to avoid letting it go to a fifth game. I’m thrilled I managed to pull through.” She also praised Hana for her impressive performance, noting, “I’m glad we could deliver an exciting match for the fans.”