Anahat Singh reaches maiden PSA Gold semis at Silicon Valley Open
Synopsis
Anahat Singh, just 18, is two wins away from a PSA Gold title — having already eliminated eight-time world champion Nour ElSherbini and world No. 14 Salma Hany in back-to-back days at the Silicon Valley Open. The reigning world junior champion now faces the player who beat her in the Asian Games final, making this semifinal a high-stakes personal rematch.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh (world No.
15) reached her maiden PSA Gold-level semifinal at the Silicon Valley Open on 23 October 2026 .
She defeated Egyptian sixth seed Salma Hany (world No.
14) 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 in 42 minutes , coming back from 2-1 down in games.
A day earlier, she had eliminated Nour ElSherbini — world No.
3 and eight-time world champion — in straight games.
Anahat next faces Malaysian world No.
4 Sivasangari Subramaniam , the reigning Asian Games champion who beat her in the Asian Games 2026 singles final.
The 18-year-old is the reigning world junior champion and the first Indian woman to reach an Asian Games squash singles final .
India's Anahat Singh, ranked world No. 15, stormed into her first-ever PSA Gold-level semifinals at the Silicon Valley Open in Redwood City on 23 October 2026, defeating Egyptian sixth seed Salma Hany (world No. 14) in a gripping five-game quarterfinal battle. The 18-year-old from Delhi claimed the win 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 in just 42 minutes, completing a remarkable comeback from 2-1 down in games.
A Back-to-Back Upset Run
The victory came just 24 hours after Anahat had stunningly downed Egyptian world No. 3 and eight-time world champion Nour ElSherbini in straight games — one of the biggest wins of her young career. Now, in consecutive matches, she has eliminated two of the world's top Egyptian players at the same event, underlining her rapid ascent on the PSA Tour.
How the Match Unfolded
Anahat's quarterfinal against Hany was anything but straightforward. She dropped the first game 4-11 before levelling with an 11-8 second. A third-game loss at 4-11 put her on the back foot, but the young Indian showed composure rarely seen at her age, reeling off dominant 11-2 and 11-5 wins to seal the tie decisively.
'I've never played her before, and I didn't know what to expect coming on to the court. I have watched her play so many times, and she is so experienced on the PSA Tour,' Anahat said of Hany after the match.
'Especially after winning yesterday (against ElSherbini), I know that if I'm playing well I had a chance against whoever I played. I wanted to come in with that mindset,' she added. The Delhi teenager also acknowledged the physical toll: 'I was a bit tired coming into the match because of the emotions after winning yesterday. I just didn't want to let go of the momentum today, I wanted to give it my all and I'm happy to get one step further in the tournament.'
What's at Stake in the Semis
Anahat next faces Malaysian world No. 4 and reigning Asian Games champion Sivasangari Subramaniam — the same player who defeated her in the Asian Games 2026 women's singles final in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Subramaniam's Asian Games gold also earned her a spot at the Los Angeles Olympics, where squash is set to make its Olympic debut. The semifinal rematch, therefore, carries extra personal and competitive significance for Anahat.
Anahat's Remarkable Rise
This PSA Gold run is the latest chapter in a breathtaking 12-month surge for Anahat. Earlier in 2026, she became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships girls' singles title, ending Egypt's 15-year stranglehold on the crown. At the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, she won women's singles silver — becoming the first Indian woman to reach an Asian Games squash singles final. At the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, she had claimed two bronze medals in the women's team and mixed doubles events. The reigning world junior champion is now steadily converting junior pedigree into senior PSA impact, and a Gold-level title would be the most significant scalp of her senior career.
Point of View
It would be a landmark for the sport in the country.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anahat Singh achieve at the Silicon Valley Open 2026?
Anahat Singh reached the semifinals of the Silicon Valley Open squash tournament — her first-ever PSA Gold-level semifinal — after defeating Egyptian world No. 14 Salma Hany 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 in the quarterfinals on 23 October 2026.
Who did Anahat Singh beat to reach the Silicon Valley Open semifinals?
Anahat beat two high-ranked Egyptian players in successive rounds: world No. 3 and eight-time world champion Nour ElSherbini in the round of 16, and sixth seed Salma Hany (world No. 14) in the quarterfinals.
Who will Anahat Singh play in the PSA Gold semifinals?
Anahat will face Malaysian world No. 4 Sivasangari Subramaniam — the reigning Asian Games champion who defeated Anahat in the Asian Games 2026 women's singles final in Aichi-Nagoya.
What are Anahat Singh's major career achievements so far?
Anahat is the reigning World Junior Squash Champion (2026), the first Indian to claim the girls' singles title at that event, ending Egypt's 15-year dominance. She also won silver at the Asian Games 2026 (becoming the first Indian woman to reach an Asian Games squash singles final) and two bronzes at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou.
How significant is a PSA Gold title in squash?
PSA Gold events are among the highest tier on the Professional Squash Association tour, just below the Platinum level, and attract the world's top-ranked players. A title at this level would be a landmark achievement for any 18-year-old and would represent the most significant senior-level victory in Indian women's squash history.
