Anahat Singh stunned the world of squash as she defeated top seed Nour El Sherbini in straight games at the PSA Gold Chicago Open, advancing to the quarter-finals in a landmark victory.
India’s rising sporting sensation, Anahat Singh, scripted history on Thursday as she claimed the biggest victory of her career so far, dismantling top seed and world legend Nour El Sherbini in straight games to storm into the quarter-finals of the PSA Gold-level Chicago Open. Currently ranked World No. 15, Anahat, who came into the tournament on the back of a sensational silver medal in the Asian Games 2026, produced a tactical masterclass to completely dominate the World No. 3 Egyptian, also her idol, sweeping the match 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in breathtaking fashion.
Despite facing a multiple-time World Champion and tournament favourite, the 18-year-old Anahat displayed extraordinary composure from the opening serve. She controlled the pace, minimised unforced errors, and refused to let El Sherbini establish her trademark rhythm, wrapping up a historic win that sent shockwaves through the squash world. Speaking after the match, Anahat herself couldn’t believe that the game ended on her side of the court.
Reflecting on her monumental upset after the match, Anahat admitted that she had initially expected a far tougher period of adjustment against a player she has idolised since the moment she became a professional squash player.
“I mean, going into the match, of course, I have the national coach of India here with me, and he was telling me that I definitely do have a shot if I, you know, play really, really well,” Anahat said after the historic victory. “And, of course, I’ve grown up watching every single match of hers. We have the same coach, Greg, as well, and, you know, I admire her and, you know, want to achieve the things she’s done in her career.
“I’ve grown up watching every single match of hers” The thoughts of India’s @Anahat_Singh13 after she claimed the biggest win of her career – beating idol Nour ElSherbini https://t.co/UDIaalVUg8
— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) October 22, 2026
Coached by former world No. 1 Gregory Gaultier alongside Saurav Ghosal and Stephane Galifi, Anahat has emerged as one of India’s most promising athletes over the last couple of years. She also won the World Junior Championship title earlier this year, having turned professional in 2023. Anahat has already collected multiple PSA titles while becoming the youngest Asian player to crack the top 20.
El Sherbini, on the other hand, is a dominant force who has held the world No. 1 ranking for whopping 265 weeks. Over the course of her career, she has been crowned world champion a total of 8 times and has won four British Opens. She arrived in California as the outright favourite.
