Seventeen-year-old Anahat Singh has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach a PSA World Tour Copper-level final, finishing runner-up at the NSW Squash Bega Open 2025 despite battling an ankle injury.
The rising Indian star’s remarkable run ended at the Bega Country Club when she was forced to retire from the final against Egypt’s Habiba Hani, trailing 10-4 in the fourth game.
Singh had taken the opening game 11-9, but Hani fought back to claim the next two games 11-5 and 11-8, before the injury forced Singh to concede the match.
Singh’s journey to the final was nothing short of spectacular. In the semi-finals, she overcame Egypt’s Nour Khafagy 3-2 (10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7) despite her ankle issue.
Earlier, she had defeated South Africa’s Hayley Ward 3-0 and Australia’s Sarah Cardwell 3-0, after receiving a first-round bye.
Hani, ranked World No.61, claimed her first World Tour title, fighting back from a game down to win in four. She had defeated India’s fifth seed Akanksha Salunkhe 3-1 in the semi-finals. Other Indian participants, Tanvi Khanna and Remashree Muniady, exited in the second and first rounds, respectively.
Singh has been in outstanding form over the past two years. She won bronze at the World Junior Squash Championships 2025 in Egypt, ending India’s 15-year wait for an under-19 individual medal, and earlier this year claimed Asian senior titles in women’s and mixed doubles. She also made her senior World Championship debut in Chicago.
In 2024, Singh won nine PSA Challenger titles and began 2025 with the British Junior Open U-17 crown. She was also part of India’s bronze-winning women’s team at the 2023 Asian Games.
With squash set to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, Anahat Singh’s historic run signals India’s rising presence on the global squash stage, showcasing her grit, skill, and resilience even in the face of injury.
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