Abhay Singh Shines While Anahat Singh Exits at El Gouna Squash Open
Synopsis
In a dramatic first round at the El Gouna Open, Abhay Singh secured a thrilling victory against Aly Abou Eleinen, while Anahat Singh faced elimination against the world’s top-ranked player. Read on for highlights of these matches and what’s next for both players.
Key Takeaways
Abhay Singh stages a remarkable comeback against a higher-ranked opponent.
Anahat Singh shows resilience despite being eliminated.
The El Gouna Open is a significant event in the squash calendar.
Competitive squash continues to showcase thrilling matches.
El Gouna, Egypt - April 5 (NationPress) In a thrilling match, Abhay Singh triumphed over Egyptian world No. 13 Aly Abou Eleinen with scores of 9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-4, and 11-8 during the men's first round of the El Gouna Open, a prestigious PSA Platinum event.
Eleinen claimed the first game narrowly at 11-9. However, Singh quickly regained his composure in the second game, leveling the match with an 11-8 win. The contest saw Eleinen seizing control in the third game, taking it 11-3 by exploiting Singh's unforced errors.
With the score at 1-2 against him, Abhay came back fiercely in the fourth game, dominating with an 11-4 victory to push the match into a deciding game. He showcased remarkable resilience by battling back from a 7-3 deficit in the final game.
Now ranked world No. 25, Abhay will face sixth seed and world No. 7 Youssef Ibrahim in his next match.
Meanwhile, in the women's bracket, world No. 20 Anahat Singh was eliminated by the top-seeded Hania El Hammamy, who secured her spot with a scoreline of 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8 in the opening round.
The young Indian star, who recently won the Indian Open, started strong with her unique attacking style, building an early lead of 7-5. Yet, El Hammamy recovered, taking the first game 11-8 and dominating the second at 11-5.
Despite being 4-0 down in the third, Anahat displayed remarkable tenacity to come back, winning nine out of the next ten points. Though El Hammamy managed to bring the score to 10-9, Singh clinched the game, forcing a fourth round with a spectacular game-ball winner.
As the fourth game progressed, Singh's clever shots continued to challenge El Hammamy, but the 2022 champion maintained her composure towards the end to secure the match with scores of 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8 after nearly 49 minutes of intense competition.
Point of View
The El Gouna Open showcases the pinnacle of squash talent, with Abhay Singh's resilience highlighting the competitive spirit of the sport. However, Anahat Singh's early exit reminds us of the challenges even seasoned players face against top-ranked opponents. Overall, both matches provide a fascinating glimpse into the current state of competitive squash.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the match between Abhay Singh and Aly Abou Eleinen?
Abhay Singh won the match with scores of 9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-4, 11-8.
What is the next matchup for Abhay Singh?
Abhay Singh will face sixth seed and world No. 7 Youssef Ibrahim in the next round.
How did Anahat Singh perform against Hania El Hammamy?
Anahat Singh lost to Hania El Hammamy with scores of 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8.
What is the significance of the El Gouna Open?
The El Gouna Open is a PSA Platinum event, featuring some of the best squash players in the world.
