“Potential to Be a Top-10 Player”: Cyrus Poncha Lauds Anahat Singh’s Rise After Stunning Nour El Sherbini at Silicon Valley Open

New Delhi, Oct 23: From stunning eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini to reaching her maiden PSA Gold semi-final, Anahat Singh’s remarkable run reflects the fearless mindset and relentless ambition driving Indian squash forward.

There is something remarkable about the way Anahat Singh refuses to let a match slip away. Even when the odds are stacked against her, the Indian teenager continues to chase every ball, challenge every opponent, and search for a way back into the contest. At the Silicon Valley Open, that fearless approach carried her into uncharted territory, making her the first Indian squash player to reach a PSA Gold semi-final.

Ranked World No. 15, Anahat produced one of the finest performances of her career to overcome Egypt’s Salma Hany, the World No. 14, in a five-game encounter. Twice forced to recover from a deficit, she eventually prevailed 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5, underlining the resilience that has become a defining feature of her game. For Anahat, the victory was as much about character as it was about skill.

“I wanted to find a way to make my way back into the match and put up a fight. Whether it resulted in a win or a loss, I did not want to let it go too easily,” she said after securing her place in the semi-final.

That determination had already been on display earlier in the tournament when she dismantled Egypt’s eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in straight games, winning 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in just 30 minutes. Defeating a player of El Sherbini’s stature was a statement of intent. Her subsequent triumph over Hany demonstrated that the result was no isolated upset.

For Cyrus Poncha, the Dronacharya Award recipient and a former Indian squash player, Anahat’s progress reflects a player whose potential is increasingly translating into performances against elite opposition.

“Anahat has been on a very positive trajectory. Following the World Junior Championships and her performances at the Asian Games, these recent outings have shown that she has the potential to be a top-10 player,” Poncha told myKhel.

Strength Of Fearless Mind

Anahat’s game is built on more than technical proficiency. Her movement, accuracy and ability to retrieve seemingly unreachable shots place opponents under sustained pressure. Yet, it is her temperament that may prove to be her greatest asset as she transitions from junior prodigy to an established contender on the professional circuit.

“She does not let the scoreline or her opponents affect her. She remains very positive and has a tremendous never-say-die attitude,” Poncha said, identifying her mental resilience as a significant advantage.

That composure has become particularly important as Anahat encounters opponents with considerably more experience on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour. Rather than being overwhelmed by reputations, she has begun to challenge them on her own terms.

Her performances have also raised questions about the balance of power in international squash. Egypt continues to dominate the sport, producing an exceptional pool of elite players. However, the emergence of challengers from India and other Asian nations suggests that the competitive landscape is broadening.

Poncha cautioned against interpreting individual victories as the end of Egyptian supremacy, but welcomed the growing challenge from other countries.

“Egypt remains the best country in the world in squash. What has changed is that other countries are also working hard, putting in the hours and raising their standards,” he said.

Building Beyond One Star

Anahat’s rise has coincided with sustained efforts to strengthen Indian squash through domestic competitions, international tournaments hosted in India and coach education, supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India.

While she currently stands apart from her peers, Poncha believes the country must continue investing in younger age groups to ensure that her success becomes part of a broader movement.

The immediate challenge, however, is formidable. Anahat is set to face Malaysia’s World No. 4 Sivasangari Subramaniam, who defeated her in the Asian Games 2026 gold-medal match. The Malaysian enters the contest as the favourite, but Anahat’s recent performances suggest that rankings alone will not determine the outcome.

“She will give it her best shot, and you never know, we could be in for a surprise,” Poncha said.

For Indian squash, the significance of Anahat’s campaign extends beyond a potential final appearance. With the sport preparing for its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, her progress offers a glimpse of what Indian players can achieve against the world’s best.

The immediate dream is a place in the final. The larger ambition is to build a generation capable of sustaining India’s presence at the highest level. And if Anahat’s journey has demonstrated anything, it is that the distance between ambition and achievement can narrow rapidly when talent is matched by fearless conviction.