Indian teenager Anahat Singh finished runner-up in the women’s singles event at the NSW Squash Bega Open 2025 after her trailblazing run ended in the final on Sunday.
The 17-year-old became the first Indian woman to reach the final of a PSA World Tour Copper level meet. The teenager, however, was forced to retire hurt from her summit clash against Egypt’s Habiba Hani.
Copper level tournaments, introduced last year, are a part of the PSA World Tour, designed to offer lower-ranked players opportunities to gain experience and ranking points.
Anahat, however, was one point away from losing the match at the time of conceding at the Baga Country Club in New South Wales, Australia.
The Indian squash player made a strong start by taking the opening game 11-9, but Hani fought back to claim the next two. Trailing 4-10 in the fourth, Anahat, who had been struggling with an ankle injury, retired from the contest.
On her way to the final, Anahat produced a string of impressive performances. In the semi-finals, the second-seeded Indian squash player edged past Egypt’s Nour Khafagy 3-2 (10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7) after battling through her injury.
Anahat defeated South Africa’s Hayley Ward 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 14-12) in the quarter-finals after beating Australia’s Sarah Cardwell 3-0 (11-3, 11-3, 11-4) in the round of 16. She had earlier received a bye in the opening round.
Habiba Hani, meanwhile, had defeated India’s fifth seed Akanksha Salunkhe 3-1 (11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 11-6) in her semi-finals. Another Indian, Tanvi Khanna, exited in the second round, while Remashree Muniady bowed out in the first.
Anahat Singh has been in terrific form for the past two years. She won the bronze medal at the World Junior Squash Championships 2025 in Egypt in July, ending the country’s 15-year wait for an individual medal at the under-19 event.
She also won the Asian senior titles in women’s and mixed doubles earlier this year and made her senior World Championship debut in Chicago.
In 2024, the Indian squash player won an astonishing nine PSA Challenger titles and kicked off 2025 with the British Junior Open U-17 crown in January. She was also part of India’s bronze-winning women’s team at the Asian Games 2023.
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