Anahat Singh beats Egypt’s Salma Hany to enter Silicon Valley Open semifinal

File photo: Anahat Singh has reached her maiden PSA Gold-level semifinals. | Photo Credit: PTI

Women’s world No. 15 Anahat Singh entered her maiden PSA Gold-level semifinals at the Silicon Valley Open squash in Redwood City (US) with a thrilling five-game win over Egyptian sixth seed Salma Hany.

A day after taking out Egyptian world No. 3 and eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in straight games, 18-year-old Anahat beat world No. 14 Hany 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 in 42 minutes in the quarterfinals.

“I’ve never played her before, and I didn’t know what to expect coming onto the court. I have watched her play so many times, and she is so experienced on the PSA Tour,” 18-year-old Anahat said of Hany after fighting back to win from 2-1 down.

“Especially after winning yesterday (against El Sherbini), I know that if I’m playing well, I have a chance against whoever I play. I wanted to come in with that mindset. I was a bit tired coming into the match because of the emotions after winning yesterday. I just didn’t want to let go of the momentum today; I wanted to give it my all, and I’m happy to get one step further in the tournament,” said Anahat, who is the reigning world junior champion.

Anahat next plays Malaysian world No. 4 and reigning Asian Games champion Sivasangari Subramaniam.