London Squash Classic: Anahat, Ramit reach pre-quarters with straight wins
Synopsis
Anahat Singh needed just 11 minutes to demolish her Egyptian opponent 11-3, 11-2 — the fastest Indian win of the day at the London Squash Classic. With Ramit Tandon also through, India has two players in the pre-quarters of a USD 144,000 PSA Gold event, even as Veer Chotrani's early exit serves as a reminder of how fine the margins are at this level.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh (world No.
20 ) beat Egypt's Mariam Metwally 11-3, 11-2 in just 11 minutes to reach the pre-quarters.
Ramit Tandon (world No.
42 ) defeated Qatar's Abdullah Al-Tamimi 11-6, 11-7 in 20 minutes .
Veer Chotrani (world No.
38 ) lost to Switzerland's Yannick Wilhelmi 9-11, 9-11 and is out of the tournament.
Anahat faces Belgium's world No.
11 Nele Gilis in Thursday's pre-quarterfinal.
Tandon's next opponent is eighth seed Mohamed ElShorbagy , who now represents England .
The London Squash Classic carries a prize purse of USD 144,000 and is a PSA World Tour Gold event.
Anahat Singh and Ramit Tandon advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the London Squash Classic, a USD 144,000 PSA World Tour Gold event, with commanding straight-game victories on Wednesday, 2 September, while Veer Chotrani suffered a first-round exit. The twin wins gave India a positive opening day at one of the season's marquee PSA Gold fixtures.
Anahat Singh's Dominant Display
Women's world No. 20 and reigning junior world champion Anahat Singh produced the standout Indian performance of the day, dismantling Egypt's Mariam Metwally — ranked No. 30 — by 11-3, 11-2 in a blistering 11 minutes. The Indian teenager seized control from the very first exchange, leaving Metwally with no room to settle.
Anahat raced through the opener and was equally relentless in the second game, wrapping up the match in near-record time for the tournament. Her next test, however, will be considerably steeper: Belgium's world No. 11 Nele Gilis awaits her in Thursday's pre-quarterfinal, a significant step up in ranking and experience.
Ramit Tandon Books Pre-Quarter Berth
In the men's draw, world No. 42 Ramit Tandon was equally efficient, defeating Qatar's Abdullah Al-Tamimi 11-6, 11-7 in a 20-minute opening-round contest. Tandon maintained disciplined control across both games, never allowing Al-Tamimi to build momentum.
His pre-quarterfinal opponent is eighth seed Mohamed ElShorbagy — an Egyptian-born player who now represents England — a formidable challenge that will test Tandon's ability to compete at the top end of the PSA Gold draw.
Chotrani Exits in Tight Opening Round
There was disappointment for world No. 38 Veer Chotrani, who was edged out by Switzerland's Yannick Wilhelmi, ranked No. 34, in a closely contested straight-game encounter. Wilhelmi won both games by identical 11-9 margins, ending Chotrani's campaign at the first hurdle.
Notably, both Anahat Singh and Chotrani are part of India's squash squad preparing for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, making the London Classic an important competitive platform ahead of that multi-sport showpiece.
India's Road Ahead at the London Classic
With two players safely through to the pre-quarterfinal stage, India will look to build on a strong opening day. The draws present contrasting challenges — Anahat faces a top-15 opponent in Gilis, while Tandon squares off against an England-ranked seed in ElShorbagy. Both matches are scheduled for Thursday. How India's players fare in these rounds will carry additional significance as preparation for the Asian Games gathers pace.
Point of View
And how Anahat handles that step up will say far more about her readiness for the Asian Games than any first-round win could. Tandon's path to ElShorbagy is similarly revealing: consistent straight-game wins against lower-ranked opponents are expected at this level; what India's men's game needs is a deep run against seeded opposition. Chotrani's exit on 11-9 margins in both games underscores how thin the line is between progress and an early flight home at PSA Gold events.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the London Squash Classic?
The London Squash Classic is a PSA World Tour Gold event with a prize purse of USD 144,000, featuring top-ranked players from across the global squash circuit. It is one of the prominent tournaments on the PSA calendar and serves as important competitive preparation for multi-sport events such as the Asian Games.
How did Anahat Singh perform in her opening match?
Anahat Singh defeated Egypt's Mariam Metwally 11-3, 11-2 in just 11 minutes, one of the fastest wins of the day at the tournament. The world No. 20 and reigning junior world champion dominated from the first exchange, giving her opponent no opportunity to settle.
Who does Anahat Singh face in the pre-quarterfinals?
Anahat Singh will face Belgium's Nele Gilis, ranked world No. 11, in Thursday's pre-quarterfinal. It represents a significant step up in opposition for the Indian teenager.
Why did Veer Chotrani lose at the London Squash Classic?
Veer Chotrani was beaten by Switzerland's Yannick Wilhelmi, ranked No. 34, by identical 11-9 margins in both games. The world No. 38 Indian player was edged out in a closely contested straight-game encounter and exits in the first round.
What is the significance of the London Classic for India's Asian Games squad?
Both Anahat Singh and Veer Chotrani are part of India's squash squad preparing for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, making the London Classic a key preparatory event. Strong performances here provide competitive match practice at the highest PSA level ahead of the continental showpiece.
