In a blistering 30‑minute affair, 18‑year‑old Anahat Singh demolished Egypt’s eight‑time champion Nour ElSherbini, taking straight‑sets 11‑8, 11‑8, 11‑7 to book her place in the quarter‑finals of the Silicon Valley Open.
The match saw Singh dominate from the first game, her footwork slicing through ElSherbini’s rhythm. After a 6‑2 lead in the first game, Singh’s aggressive play kept the Egyptian on the back foot, and the 11‑8 scoreline reflected the pressure she applied. The second set mirrored the first, with Singh’s pinpoint service and quick reflexes denying the world No. 3 any chance to mount a comeback.
Coached by former world No. 1 Grégory Gaultier, Singh has been honing her game since turning pro in 2023, and the victory over a player who has held the top spot for years is the biggest of her career. She said after the match, “I grew up watching every single match of Nour; defeating her feels like a personal milestone.”
With the win, Singh joins a new generation of players challenging the Egyptian dominance that has long ruled squash. The quarter‑finals will pit her against the tournament’s top seed, and a victory could propel her into the semi‑finals and further up the world rankings ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut in 2028.