India’s 17-year-old rising star in squash, Anahat Singh, continued her impressive performance at the Canadian Open in Toronto. She caused a major upset by defeating defending champion Tinne Gilis to secure a spot in the tournament’s semi-finals.
Anahat, ranked 43rd globally, achieved her first victory against a top-10 ranked player, triumphing in straight games in an intense match that lasted 36 minutes. The scores were 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 in favor of the unseeded player.
Throughout the competition, the young talent from Delhi showcased exceptional form. In the previous round, she defeated the 20th-ranked player in the world, Melissa Alves of France.
Expressing her excitement, Anahat mentioned, “I’m really thrilled, Tinne Gilis is a top 10 player, and this win against her is a significant milestone for me.” She credited her coaches for motivating her to play at her best, leading to her success in the tournament.
Despite not having high expectations due to her previous performance, Anahat’s training sessions with former champion Greg Gaultier proved beneficial. In a surprising turn of events, she also defeated Melissa Alves in a challenging match that lasted 41 minutes.
Anahat’s journey in the tournament began with a convincing victory over Switzerland’s Cindy Merlo in straight games. Looking ahead, she is set to face the 10th-ranked player in the world and fourth seed, Gina Kennedy of England, in the semi-finals.
Earlier this year, Anahat clinched a bronze medal at the World Squash Junior Championships, showcasing her promising talent in the sport.
– Ends