India's Anahat Singh (ANI Photo)
Indian squash sensation Anahat Singh continued her giant-killing run at the Silicon Valley Open 2026, producing a remarkable comeback to defeat Egypt's Salma Hany in a five-game thriller and book her maiden semi-final berth at a PSA Gold-level event.
The 18-year-old World No. 15 recovered from a 1-2 deficit to register a 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 victory over the sixth-seeded Egyptian in 42 minutes in Redwood City, California.Anahat showed tremendous resilience after twice falling behind in the contest, raising her level in the final two games to complete an impressive turnaround. Having conceded the opening and third games, the Indian dominated the closing stages, dropping just seven points across the last two games to seal a landmark win.The victory marks another significant milestone in Anahat's burgeoning career and comes on the back of her stunning second-round upset of eight-time world champion and World No. 3 Nour ElSherbini.
Anahat rallies from behind to seal historic victory
Hany made a strong start, capitalising on Anahat's errors to take the opening game 11-4. The Indian responded with an improved performance in the second, winning it 11-8 to restore parity.However, the Egyptian regained control in the third game, cruising to another 11-4 win to move within a game of victory.
With her quarter-final hopes hanging in the balance, Anahat produced a superb response, stepping up her intensity to dismantle Hany 11-2 in the fourth game.The teenager carried that momentum into the decider, maintaining her composure and dictating the rallies to close out the contest 11-5. Her emphatic finish underlined her ability to respond under pressure against an experienced opponent.The win ensures Anahat reaches the last four of a PSA Gold event for the first time in her career, further strengthening her growing reputation on the international squash circuit.
Asian Games final rematch awaits Anahat in semi-finals
Anahat's reward for the hard-fought quarter-final victory is a semi-final showdown against Malaysia's World No. 4 Sivasangari Subramaniam, who booked her place in the last four with a straight-games win over compatriot Rachel Arnold.
The clash will renew a rivalry established at the 2026 Asian Games, where Sivasangari defeated Anahat 3-0 in the women's singles final to claim gold, leaving the Indian with silver.
Anahat had made history at the continental event by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the squash singles final.Anahat has enjoyed an impressive campaign in Redwood City. She began by defeating Egypt's Nour Aboulmakarim 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 in the opening round before producing one of the biggest wins of her career against ElSherbini, beating the top-tier Egyptian 11-8, 11-8, 11-7.