Anahat Singh beats world No. 16 to advance in Qatar Classic squash
Synopsis
Fresh off her Junior World Championship crown in July, 19-year-old Anahat Singh is making her mark at one of squash's richest Platinum events — beating a higher-ranked Egyptian in four games on Day 1 in Doha. With the Asian Games in Japan just weeks away, every match doubles as preparation for India's continental campaign.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh (world No.
20) beat Farida Mohamed (world No.
16) 13-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7 in the Qatar Classic first round on 12 September .
Anahat became Junior World Champion in July 2025 , adding pedigree to her PSA run.
Her next opponent is Belgian Tinne Gilis , ranked world No.
24) and Veer Chotrani (No.
38) also play their men's first-round matches at the USD 242,000 PSA Platinum event.
Anahat, Abhay, Chotrani, and Tanvi Khanna will represent India in squash singles at the Asian Games in Japan this month.
Top seeds Mostafa Asal , Nouran Gohar , Nour El Sherbini , and defending champion Diego Elias headline the star-studded draw.
Indian squash star Anahat Singh, ranked world No. 20, opened her campaign at the Qatar Classic in Doha on 12 September with an impressive four-game victory over higher-ranked Egyptian Farida Mohamed (world No. 16) in the first round of the USD 242,000 PSA Platinum event. The win marks a significant early statement from the teenage sensation, who claimed the Junior World Championship title just two months ago in July.
Match Details and Next Challenge
Anahat dispatched Farida 13-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7 in a contest that required composure after dropping the second game. The 19-year-old's ability to regroup and dominate the third and fourth games underscored her growing maturity on the PSA circuit. She will next face Belgian world No. 9 Tinne Gilis in the second round — a stiffer test that will gauge her readiness for the top tier.
Indian Men's Contingent in Action
The Indian challenge in Doha extends beyond Anahat. World No. 24 Abhay Singh is set to face Swiss World No. 22 Dimitri Steinmann in the men's opening round, while World No. 38 Veer Chotrani takes on New Zealand's formidable World No. 2 Paul Coll. The results of those matches were not yet available at the time of filing. Tanvi Khanna is also part of the Indian singles contingent at the tournament.
Asian Games Context
This performance carries added significance: Anahat, Abhay, Chotrani, and Tanvi Khanna all form India's squash singles team for this month's Asian Games in Japan. A strong run in Doha would provide crucial momentum and match practice heading into the continental showpiece — a competition India has historically targeted for squash medals.
Star-Studded Field at Qatar Classic
The Qatar Classic boasts one of the strongest draws on the global squash calendar. The men's competition features defending champion Diego Elias of Peru (world No. 2), alongside Paul Coll (world No. 3), Wales' Joel Makin (world No. 4), and British stars Marwan ElShorbagy and Mohamed ElShorbagy. Egypt's top-ranked Mostafa Asal and Nouran Gohar lead the field overall. On the women's side, Egypt's Nour El Sherbini (world No. 2 and 2024 defending champion) and Hania El Hammamy (world No. 3), along with England's Georgina Kennedy (world No. 4), are among the title favourites. Qatar's home hopes rest on Abdulla Al-Tamimi (world No. 22), with Salem Al-Malki and Ali Al-Darwish competing via wild cards. The total prize money stands at $231,500 each for the men's and women's draws. Notably, Egypt's Mohamad Zakaria, a three-time World Junior Champion, also progressed after a testing contest against Germany's Raphael Kandra, who threatened a comeback before Zakaria held firm.
Other Women's First-Round Results
Among other first-round results, second seed Aamina Orfi beat Hana Ramadan 3-0 (11-2, 11-5, 11-5) in 45 minutes; Aifa Azman overcame Marina Stefanoni 3-1 (11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10) in 40 minutes; sixth seed Fayrouz Aboelkheir defeated Nadien Elhammamy 3-0 (11-3, 11-5, 11-6) in 26 minutes; and Nardine Garas edged Nour Heikal 3-2 (11-9, 11-5, 1-11, 7-11, 11-7) in 43 minutes. All eyes now turn to whether India can build further on Anahat's bright start in the rounds ahead.
Point of View
000 field is not routine — it confirms she is no longer just a junior prodigy but a competitive senior-circuit force. The timing matters: weeks before the Asian Games, match wins against top-30 players sharpen both her ranking trajectory and her competitive edge. What the result also signals is India's quiet rise as a squash nation — fielding four ranked singles players at a PSA Platinum event while simultaneously preparing for the continental stage is a depth India rarely showed a decade ago. The harder question is whether institutional support will match the talent on court.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Anahat Singh perform in the Qatar Classic opening round?
Anahat Singh defeated Egyptian world No. 16 Farida Mohamed 13-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7 in four games to advance to the second round of the Qatar Classic in Doha on 12 September. The result was notable as Anahat entered the match ranked four places below her opponent.
Who does Anahat Singh play next at the Qatar Classic?
Anahat Singh's second-round opponent is Belgian world No. 9 Tinne Gilis. The match represents a tougher challenge and will be a key test of her ability to beat top-ten players on the PSA Platinum stage.
What is the Qatar Classic and why is it significant?
The Qatar Classic is a USD 242,000 PSA Platinum squash event held in Doha, regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the global squash calendar. It is the season's first PSA Platinum event and carries a prize pot of $231,500 each for the men's and women's draws.
Which Indian players are competing at the Qatar Classic?
India's contingent includes Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh (world No. 24), Veer Chotrani (world No. 38), and Tanvi Khanna. All four also form India's squash singles team for the Asian Games in Japan later this month.
Who are the top contenders at the Qatar Classic 2025?
The men's draw is headlined by world No. 1 Mostafa Asal and defending champion Diego Elias of Peru (world No. 2), while the women's draw features world No. 1 Nouran Gohar and 2024 defending champion Nour El Sherbini (world No. 2). Both draws are widely considered among the strongest in the sport.
