Daijiworld Media Network – Toronto
Toronto, Oct 29: India’s 17-year-old squash prodigy Anahat Singh produced a sensational performance to defeat defending champion and second seed Tinne Gilis of Belgium, storming into the semifinals of the Canadian Women’s Open in Toronto.
Unseeded Anahat defeated world number 7 Gilis in straight games — 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 — in a thrilling 36-minute quarterfinal encounter. Currently ranked 43rd in the world, this victory marks the biggest milestone of her young career and her first-ever win over a top-10 player.
The Delhi-based teenager has been in dazzling form throughout the PSA Tour Silver-level event, earlier toppling world number 20 Melissa Alves of France in the pre-quarterfinals.
Speaking after her win, Anahat said, “I’m really excited. She’s a top-10 player and this is the first time I’ve beaten someone in the top 10. I just came in with the mentality to play my best squash, and it paid off.”
She credited her improved performance to a short training stint with former world champion Greg Gaultier ahead of the tournament. “I wasn’t playing too well the week before, but training with Greg during the US Open helped me refocus. I knew if I stayed sharp, I had a real chance here,” she added.
Anahat will next face world number 10 and fourth seed Gina Kennedy of England in the semifinals, aiming to continue her dream run on the world stage.