Anahat Singh reaches World Junior Squash quarterfinals as top seed
Synopsis
Top-seeded Anahat Singh is through to the World Junior Squash quarterfinals with a clinical straight-games win, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Egypt's Habiba Rizk. Meanwhile, India's men's hope Aryaveer Dewan — the reigning Asian U-19 champion — crashed out in a surprise straight-games loss to the USA's Yaseen Shalaby, leaving India's individual medal hopes resting squarely on Anahat's shoulders.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh , India's No.
1 seed , beat Malaysia's Doyce Ye San Lee 11-4, 11-8, 11-3 to reach the women's quarterfinals.
Anahat will next face Egypt's Habiba Rizk (seeded 5/8 ) in the quarterfinals.
India's Aryaveer Dewan (seeded 5/8 ), the reigning Asian U-19 champion , lost 4-11, 1-11, 5-11 to the USA's Yaseen Shalaby .
The individual competition runs until 25 July ; team events begin 26 July in Ontario.
India's men's team enters the team event as bronze medallists from Cairo , ending a 13-year medal drought last year.
Top-seeded Indian squash player Anahat Singh advanced to the women's quarterfinals of the World Squash Junior Individual Championships 2026 in Ontario on 23 July, defeating Malaysia's Doyce Ye San Lee in a commanding straight-games victory. The result keeps India's medal hopes alive at one of junior squash's most prestigious global events.
Anahat's Dominant Pre-Quarterfinal Win
Anahat, who claimed bronze at last year's edition, swept past her 13/16-seeded Malaysian opponent 11-4, 11-8, 11-3, barely breaking a sweat across all three games. The win underlines her status as the tournament's top seed and sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal clash against Egypt's Habiba Rizk, seeded 5/8. Rizk had earlier edged past the USA's Charlotte Sze in a hard-fought four-game contest, making the next round a genuine test for Anahat.
Other Women's Section Results
Belgium's Savannah Moxham produced a spirited comeback to defeat Hong Kong, China's Ena Kwong 3-1. Egypt's Malika Elkaraksy also progressed, beating the USA's Diya Yadav to advance. Hong Kong, China's Helen Tang moved through with a win over Malaysia's Harleein Tan. In the men's draw, No. 1 seed Mohamad Zakaria progressed after defeating Pakistan's Nauman Khan, while France's Amir Khaled-Jousselin advanced in straight games over England's Ronnie Hickling.
Upset Alert: India's Aryaveer Dewan Exits
The men's section witnessed a series of upsets involving top-eight seeds. India's Aryaveer Dewan, seeded 5/8 and the reigning Asian U-19 champion, was knocked out by the USA's Yaseen Shalaby in a straight-games thrashing — 4-11, 1-11, 5-11. The loss is a significant blow to India's men's individual campaign. Elsewhere, Brazil's Laura Silva fell short against Malaysia's Whitney Wilson, while Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Alnasfan reached the last eight after a gripping five-game win over England's Dylan Roberts.
What's Next at World Junior Squash 2026
The individual competition runs from 20 to 25 July in Ontario, after which the men's and women's team events take centre stage from 26 to 31 July at the same venue. India's men's team arrives with momentum, having claimed bronze in Cairo last year — ending a 13-year medal drought at the championships. With Anahat still in contention on the individual front, India has a real shot at adding to that tally.
Point of View
11-8, 11-3 is not just progressing; she is conserving energy and sending a message ahead of a tougher Egyptian challenge. The real story, however, is Aryaveer Dewan's exit: losing 4-11, 1-11, 5-11 as the reigning Asian U-19 champion is a sharp reality check. India's individual medal hopes now rest entirely on Anahat, making her quarterfinal against Rizk — herself a proven winner — the defining contest of India's campaign at Ontario 2026.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Anahat Singh perform in the World Junior Squash pre-quarterfinals?
Anahat Singh defeated Malaysia's Doyce Ye San Lee 11-4, 11-8, 11-3 in straight games to advance to the women's quarterfinals of the World Squash Junior Individual Championships 2026 in Ontario. As the top seed, she was dominant throughout the match.
Who will Anahat Singh face in the quarterfinals?
Anahat Singh will face Egypt's Habiba Rizk, seeded 5/8, in the women's quarterfinals. Rizk reached the last eight by beating the USA's Charlotte Sze in a four-game contest.
What happened to India's Aryaveer Dewan at the World Junior Squash Championships?
Aryaveer Dewan, seeded 5/8 and the reigning Asian U-19 champion, was eliminated in the pre-quarterfinals by the USA's Yaseen Shalaby, losing 4-11, 1-11, 5-11 in straight games. It was one of several upsets involving top-eight seeds in the men's draw.
When do the team events begin at World Junior Squash 2026?
The individual competition runs from 20 to 25 July in Ontario, with the men's and women's team events scheduled from 26 to 31 July at the same venue.
What is India's recent record at the World Junior Squash Championships?
India's men's team won bronze at the World Junior Squash Championships in Cairo last year, ending a 13-year medal drought at the event. The team heads into the Ontario 2026 team competition on the back of that result.
