Anahat Singh withdraws from Canadian Open squash QF with injury
Synopsis
Anahat Singh's stunning 2026 run — World Junior champion, Asian Games silver medallist, and giant-killer of eight-time world champion Nour ElSherbini — hit a painful pause in Toronto as injury forced her out of the Canadian Women's Open quarterfinal. For Indian squash, this is a rare and sobering setback for its brightest young star.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh withdrew from the Canadian Women's Open quarterfinal in Toronto on 28 October 2026 due to injury.
Top seed and world No.
7 Fayrouz Aboelkheir received a walkover into the semifinals.
Last week, Anahat defeated eight-time world champion Nour ElSherbini in straight games at the Silicon Valley Open — the biggest win of her career.
At the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya , she became the first Indian woman to reach the squash singles final, claiming a silver medal.
Earlier in 2026, she won the World Junior Squash Championships title, ending Egypt's 15-year reign in the event.
Indian squash prodigy Anahat Singh was forced to withdraw from the Canadian Women's Open due to injury on 28 October 2026, pulling out ahead of her quarterfinal clash in Toronto, according to the PSA Tour website. The withdrawal ends what had been a strong run at the PSA Silver-level tournament for the world No. 15.
What Happened in Toronto
Anahat had fought her way into the last eight by defeating England's Saran Nghiem in four games — a competitive win that set up a high-profile quarterfinal against Egyptian world No. 7 and top seed Fayrouz Aboelkheir. However, the injury sustained forced her withdrawal before that match could take place. As a result, Aboelkheir received a walkover into the semifinals.
A Career in Full Momentum
The withdrawal is particularly unfortunate given the form Anahat had been carrying into the tournament. Just last week, she produced what is widely regarded as the biggest win of her career — stunning Egyptian eight-time world champion Nour ElSherbini in straight games at the Silicon Valley Open in Redwood City, United States. Back-to-back deep runs in the United States and Canada had underlined her rapid rise on the women's PSA circuit, offering valuable match time against elite international opposition.
Historic Asian Games Campaign
Anahat's broader 2026 campaign has been defined by milestone after milestone. At the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, she became the first Indian woman to reach the squash singles final at the continental meet — a landmark moment for Indian squash. She ultimately claimed the silver medal after going down 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-7) to Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam, the defending champion, in the women's singles final. This adds to her two bronze medals from the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou — won in the women's team and mixed doubles events.
World Junior Title and Egypt's Reign Ended
Earlier in 2026, Anahat also captured the World Junior Squash Championships girls' singles title, becoming the first Indian to win the crown and ending Egypt's 15-year dominance in the event. That victory, combined with her Asian Games silver and PSA results, has cemented her status as one of the most exciting young players on the global squash circuit.
What's Next
The nature and severity of the injury have not been disclosed, and her participation in upcoming PSA events will depend on her recovery. Given her trajectory, the squash world will be watching closely for her return to competitive action.
Point of View
An Asian Games final, and a win over Nour ElSherbini — but sustained success at the PSA level demands physical durability as much as technical brilliance. India has historically struggled to convert junior prodigies into long-term world-tour regulars; how Anahat manages this injury and the workload that follows will be as telling as any match result. The fact that she is already competing at PSA Silver level and troubling world Top-10 players at age suggests the ceiling is high — the question is whether the support system around her matches the ambition.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Anahat Singh withdraw from the Canadian Women's Open?
Anahat Singh withdrew from the Canadian Women's Open quarterfinal in Toronto on 28 October 2026 due to injury, according to the PSA Tour website. The nature and severity of the injury have not been officially disclosed.
Who did Anahat Singh beat to reach the Canadian Open quarterfinals?
Anahat defeated England's Saran Nghiem in four games to advance to the quarterfinals of the Canadian Women's Open. She was subsequently scheduled to face world No. 7 and top seed Fayrouz Aboelkheir before her withdrawal.
What is Anahat Singh's biggest career win to date?
Anahat's biggest career win is widely considered her straight-games victory over Egyptian eight-time world champion Nour ElSherbini at the Silicon Valley Open in Redwood City, United States, just days before her Canadian Open withdrawal.
What did Anahat Singh achieve at the Asian Games 2026?
At the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Anahat became the first Indian woman to reach the squash singles final at the continental meet. She won the silver medal after losing 3-0 to Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam in the final.
Has Anahat Singh won any world-level titles?
Yes. Earlier in 2026, Anahat won the World Junior Squash Championships girls' singles title, becoming the first Indian to claim the crown and ending Egypt's 15-year dominance in the event.
