Anahat Singh exits London Squash Classic quarterfinal, loses 11-4, 11-4 to Sivasangari
Synopsis
World junior champion Anahat Singh's London Squash Classic campaign ended in a 17-minute, 11-4 11-4 defeat to Asia's top-ranked Sivasangari — a result that doubles as a stark preview of the Asian Games challenge ahead, where the singles gold earns a 2028 Olympics berth for squash's historic debut.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh , ranked 20th in the world , lost 11-4, 11-4 to Sivasangari Subramaniam in the London Squash Classic quarterfinals on 5 September .
The match lasted just 17 minutes , with Sivasangari controlling rallies by targeting the back corners.
Anahat had beaten eighth-seeded Nele Gilis in three games to reach the quarterfinals.
Sivasangari advances to face world champion Amina Orfi in the semifinals.
The Asian Games singles gold earns direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics , where squash makes its Olympic debut.
Anahat next competes at the Qatar Classic from 12 September .
Indian teenager Anahat Singh was knocked out of the London Squash Classic in the women's quarterfinals on Friday, 5 September, as Malaysian third seed Sivasangari Subramaniam delivered a clinical 11-4, 11-4 victory in a swift 17 minutes. The result ended Anahat's run at the USD 144,000 PSA Gold event.
How the Match Unfolded
The 18-year-old Indian, ranked 20th in the world and the reigning world junior champion, found little room to settle against the world No. 5 from the opening rally. Sivasangari dictated the pace throughout, consistently driving Anahat deep into the back corners and neutralising the Indian's attacking instincts. The scoreline — 11-4, 11-4 — reflected the Malaysian's total dominance.
Notably, Anahat had shown considerable form in the previous round, defeating eighth-seeded Belgian Nele Gilis in a hard-fought three-game encounter to reach the last eight. Friday's defeat, however, underscored the significant gap that still exists between her and the world's elite.
What Sivasangari Said
Sivasangari, a former London Squash Classic champion, explained her game plan after the win. 'I'm happy with how I played today; Anahat is a very talented player. She's beaten some of the top players and challenged the majority of them,' the Malaysian told SquashTV.
'I put extra intensity in my hitting towards the back corners. Anahat is very dangerous when she has time, so I tried to take that away from her. Obviously, there are a lot of nerves coming into these matches with the best of three format, so I had to get my confidence and happy with how I dealt with things today,' she added.
What Comes Next for Sivasangari
Sivasangari advances to the semifinals, where she will face second-seeded Egyptian Amina Orfi, the reigning world champion. The last-four clash is expected to be one of the highlights of the tournament.
The Asian Games Dimension
For Anahat, the defeat carries implications beyond the London event. Sivasangari is currently the highest-ranked player from Asia and is expected to be one of India's most formidable rivals at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. The stakes are particularly high: the singles gold medallist at the Asian Games will earn direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where squash will make its long-awaited Olympic debut.
Anahat is scheduled to compete at the Qatar Classic from 12 September before turning her full attention to the continental showpiece. The tournament will serve as a key preparation marker ahead of what could be a defining stretch of her young career.
Point of View
Denying Anahat time on the ball, which is precisely the kind of disciplined game plan India will face at the Asian Games. With an Olympic berth tied to the continental gold, the gap Anahat needs to close is now quantifiable: she must solve the very player who just beat her in under a quarter of an hour. The Qatar Classic will tell us whether Friday was a one-off or a structural problem.
NationPress
5 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Anahat Singh at the London Squash Classic?
Anahat Singh was eliminated in the women's quarterfinals of the London Squash Classic on 5 September, losing 11-4, 11-4 to Malaysian third seed Sivasangari Subramaniam in just 17 minutes. It ended her run at the USD 144,000 PSA Gold event.
Who is Sivasangari Subramaniam?
Sivasangari Subramaniam is a Malaysian squash player ranked world No. 5 and a former London Squash Classic champion. She is currently the highest-ranked player from Asia and a strong contender at the upcoming Asian Games.
Why does the Asian Games squash result matter for the Olympics?
The singles gold medallist at the Asian Games will earn direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where squash will make its historic Olympic debut. This makes the continental event especially high-stakes for players like Anahat Singh.
What is Anahat Singh's next tournament?
Anahat Singh is scheduled to compete at the Qatar Classic beginning 12 September, which she will use as preparation ahead of the Asian Games in Japan.
Who does Sivasangari face in the London Squash Classic semifinals?
Sivasangari Subramaniam will face second-seeded Egyptian Amina Orfi, the reigning world champion, in the semifinals of the London Squash Classic.
