Anahat Singh exits Qatar Classic in five-game thriller against Tinne Gilis
Synopsis
Anahat Singh led by two games before Belgian World No. 9 Tinne Gilis steadied to win 11-4 in the decider at the USD 242,000 Qatar Classic. The result is a near-miss for the 17-year-old world junior champion, who beat a top-20 opponent in the prior round — and now heads to the Asian Games as one of India's most-watched squash prospects.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh (World No.
20) lost to Tinne Gilis (World No.
9, Belgium) 4-11, 11-8, 11-9, 4-11, 3-11 in the women's second round of the Qatar Classic on 13 September 2026 .
Anahat had taken a 2-1 game lead before Gilis, a former career-high No.
5, turned the match around.
The 17-year-old had beaten World No.
16 Farida Mohamed of Egypt in the first round.
Anahat won the world junior championship in July 2026 , making her PSA Platinum performances particularly significant.
24) and Veer Chotrani (No.
38) also exited, losing to Dimitri Steinmann and Paul Coll respectively.
All four Indian players — Anahat, Abhay, Chotrani and Tanvi Khanna — now target the Asian Games in Japan .
Indian squash prodigy Anahat Singh was eliminated from the Qatar Classic in Doha on 13 September 2026 after a hard-fought five-game defeat to Belgian World No. 9 Tinne Gilis in the women's second round of the USD 242,000 PSA Platinum event. The 17-year-old world No. 20 led by two games before Gilis steadied her nerve to clinch the decider, ending India's most promising singles run at the tournament.
How the Match Unfolded
Eighth-seeded Gilis made her authority felt early, taking the opening game 11-4. Anahat refused to be rattled, lifting her game considerably to reel off the next two games 11-8 and 11-9, putting herself within one game of a quarterfinal berth.
The Belgian, who has previously climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 5, then leaned on her experience to orchestrate a turnaround. Gilis levelled with a dominant fourth game 11-4 before sealing the contest in the decider 11-3, booking her place in the next round.
Context: A Promising Run by the Teenager
The defeat does not diminish what has been an encouraging campaign for Anahat. She had entered the main draw in strong form, defeating World No. 16 Farida Mohamed of Egypt 13-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7 in the opening round — a result that underlined her capacity to compete against established senior professionals.
Notably, this performance comes just weeks after Anahat claimed the world junior championship in July, making her transition from junior ranks to the PSA Platinum circuit one of the more compelling storylines in Indian squash this year.
India's Other Contenders Also Exit
India had fielded a four-member singles contingent at the Qatar Classic, comprising Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, and Tanvi Khanna alongside Anahat. The results were difficult across the board.
Abhay Singh, ranked No. 24, was eliminated in the men's opening round by Swiss World No. 22 Dimitri Steinmann, going down 7-11, 9-11, 12-14. World No. 38 Veer Chotrani suffered a heavier defeat, losing 11-2, 11-3, 11-1 to second-ranked New Zealander Paul Coll.
What Comes Next for Indian Squash
All four Indian players — Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, and Tanvi Khanna — are now expected to shift focus to the Asian Games in Japan, where they will spearhead India's singles challenge. For Anahat in particular, the Qatar Classic outing offers valuable high-stakes match practice ahead of a multi-sport stage where she will carry significant national expectations.
Point of View
With a world junior title fresh in her cabinet, she is competing regularly in PSA Platinum draws where most players her age would still be on the Challenger circuit. The concern, if any, is whether India's broader squad depth can match her trajectory: Abhay Singh and Veer Chotrani both went out without winning a game against lower-seeded opponents, which underscores that India's senior squash pipeline beyond Anahat still has structural gaps to address before the Asian Games.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Anahat Singh exit the Qatar Classic 2026?
Anahat Singh lost to Belgian World No. 9 Tinne Gilis in a five-game match in the women's second round of the Qatar Classic in Doha. She led 2-1 in games but Gilis won the fourth and fifth games convincingly to advance.
What is the Qatar Classic squash tournament?
The Qatar Classic is a PSA Platinum-tier squash event held in Doha with a total prize purse of USD 242,000, one of the higher-value stops on the professional squash calendar. It attracts top-ranked men's and women's players from around the world.
How did other Indian squash players perform at the Qatar Classic?
Abhay Singh (No. 24) lost to Swiss World No. 22 Dimitri Steinmann 7-11, 9-11, 12-14 in the men's first round, while Veer Chotrani (No. 38) was beaten 11-2, 11-3, 11-1 by second-ranked New Zealander Paul Coll. Tanvi Khanna was also part of the Indian contingent.
What is Anahat Singh's next tournament?
Anahat Singh, along with Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, and Tanvi Khanna, is expected to compete at the Asian Games in Japan, where they will lead India's squash singles challenge.
What did Anahat Singh win before the Qatar Classic?
Anahat Singh won the world junior squash championship in July 2026, making her Qatar Classic campaign — which included a first-round win over World No. 16 Farida Mohamed — all the more noteworthy as she steps up on the senior PSA circuit.
