Anahat Singh’s Dream Run Ends at Silicon Valley Open
India's squash star Anahat Singh's run at the Silicon Valley Open ends with a 3-1 defeat to Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam.
India's squash sensation Anahat Singh saw her impressive campaign at the Silicon Valley Open come to an end on Friday. In a high-stakes encounter in Redwood City, California, the 18-year-old prodigy was defeated 3-1 by Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam.
A Strong Start, A Tough Comeback
The match began with Anahat asserting her dominance, showcasing the skill that has made her a rising star in the sport. She stormed to a convincing 11-5 victory in the opening game, leaving the Malaysian player struggling to find her footing.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically after the first set. Sivasangari staged a resilient comeback, reclaiming control of the court and winning the subsequent three games consecutively. The final scoreline read 5-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 in favor of the Malaysian.
A Recurring Rivalry
This loss marks another chapter in the competitive rivalry between the two athletes. Sivasangari had previously stood between Anahat and the gold medal during the women's singles squash event at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.
Reflecting on the match, Sivasangari expressed high praise for the young Indian, describing her as a "dangerous" and "very talented" opponent who already ranks among the top female players despite her youth.
"Coming into today’s match, I started a bit slow but got myself back into it, and I’m glad with the way I finished it. Obviously it’s easy to fall into her game... I needed to find my accuracy and once I found that, the game changed," Sivasangari stated via the PSA website.
History Made Despite the Exit
While the semi-final loss was a disappointment, Anahat Singh leaves the tournament having etched her name in the history books. Earlier in the event, she achieved a landmark victory by defeating world No. 14 Salma Hany in a grueling 42-minute battle, winning 3-2 (4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5).
With that victory, Anahat became the first Indian woman squash player since 2019 to reach the semifinals of a PSA Tour Gold-level event, marking her maiden appearance at this elite stage of the tour.