Anahat Singh exits Silicon Valley Open in SF loss to Sivasangari
Synopsis
Anahat Singh lost her Silicon Valley Open semifinal to World No. 4 Sivasangari Subramaniam, but the 18-year-old's run — featuring a straight-games win over eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini and a first-ever PSA Gold semifinal — signals that Indian squash has a genuine contender for the sport's highest honours.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh lost 1-3 (5-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7) to Sivasangari Subramaniam in the Silicon Valley Open semifinal on 24 October 2026 .
The 18-year-old from Delhi , ranked World No.
15 , reached her first PSA Gold-level semifinal.
She defeated top seed and eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in straight games en route to the semifinal.
The defeat is Anahat's fourth career loss to Subramaniam, including three on the PSA Tour .
Anahat also won the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships girls' singles title — the first Indian to do so, ending Egypt's 15-year grip on the crown.
She became the first Indian woman to reach the Asian Games women's singles final, winning silver at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 .
Anahat Singh, India's rising squash star, bowed out of the Silicon Valley Open on 24 October 2026 in Redwood City after a 1-3 semifinal defeat to Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam — yet her campaign will be remembered for a stunning upset over eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini. The 18-year-old from Delhi, ranked World No. 15, reached her first ever PSA Gold-level semifinal in what has been a breakout year on the international circuit.
How the Match Unfolded
Anahat came out aggressively, claiming the opening game 11-5 after stringing together eight consecutive points to seize early control. World No. 4 Subramaniam, however, recalibrated quickly and asserted her authority in the following three games, eventually sealing the match 5-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 in just 37 minutes.
The Indian teenager mounted a brief fightback in the fourth game, clawing back from 3-7 to within a single point. Subramaniam held firm at the decisive moment, closing out the contest without conceding the initiative again.
A Rivalry That Keeps Growing
The defeat extended Anahat's losing streak against the Malaysian to four matches overall, including three on the PSA Tour. Their most recent prior meeting came at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where Subramaniam beat Anahat in the women's singles final. That silver medal, however, made Anahat the first Indian woman to reach a singles final at the Asian Games — a landmark in itself.
The Standout Moments That Defined Her Run
Anahat's campaign in Silicon Valley was anything but routine. She opened with a straight-games victory over top seed El Sherbini — one of the tournament's biggest upsets — to advance to the quarterfinals. She then produced a determined five-game comeback against Egypt's sixth seed Salma Hany, recovering from 1-2 down to win 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 in 42 minutes. That result secured her maiden PSA Gold-level semifinal berth.
A Landmark Year for Indian Squash
The Silicon Valley semifinal run is only the latest chapter in what has been a historic year for Anahat. Earlier in 2026, she won the girls' singles title at the World Junior Squash Championships, becoming the first Indian to claim that crown and ending Egypt's 15-year dominance of the event. She had previously won two bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou — in the women's team and mixed doubles — before adding the Asian Games singles silver in 2026.
At just 18, Anahat is establishing herself as a genuine force on the senior PSA Tour, and her ability to upset top-10 players suggests the gap to the elite tier is narrowing fast.
Point of View
Widely regarded as the benchmark for women's squash. For Indian squash, which has historically punched above its weight in team formats but struggled to produce senior singles contenders, Anahat's emergence at 18 as a genuine PSA Gold semifinalist is a structural shift worth tracking, not just a feel-good headline.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Anahat Singh at the Silicon Valley Open?
Anahat Singh lost 1-3 to Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam in the semifinals of the Silicon Valley Open on 24 October 2026 , ending her run at the PSA Gold-level event. She had reached the last four by defeating top seed Nour El Sherbini.
Who is Sivasangari Subramaniam and why is she significant in this match?
Sivasangari Subramaniam is Malaysia's World No. 4 squash player and the third seed at the Silicon Valley Open. She has now beaten Anahat Singh on four occasions overall, including three times on the PSA Tour, and also defeated her in the 2026 Asian Games women's singles final.
What was Anahat Singh's biggest result at the Silicon Valley Open?
Anahat's standout result was defeating top seed and eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini of Egypt in straight games in the quarterfinals. She also came from 1-2 down to beat sixth seed Salma Hany in five games, securing her first-ever PSA Gold-level semifinal appearance.
What other major achievements has Anahat Singh had in 2026?
Anahat won the girls' singles title at the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships , becoming the first Indian to do so and ending Egypt's 15-year dominance of the event. She also won the women's singles silver at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya , becoming the first Indian woman to reach the singles final at the Games.
What is Anahat Singh's current world ranking?
Anahat Singh is ranked World No. 15 on the PSA Tour. At 18, she is considered one of the brightest prospects in women's squash globally, with her Silicon Valley run reinforcing her standing among the top players on the circuit.
