India’s 17-year-old squash prodigy, Anahat Singh continued her sensational run in the Canadian Open. Playing in Toronto on Wednesday, Anahat stunned defending champion Tinne Gilis to qualify for the semi-final of the tournament.
Ranked 43 in the world, this was Anahat’s first win against a top-10 ranked player. Unseeded Anahat won in straight games in a riveting encounter. Anahat took 36 minutes to beat the second seed 12-10, 11-9, 11-9.
The 17-year-old Delhi-born has been in tremendous form in the tournament. In the pre-quarterfinals of the competition, she beat world number 20 Melissa Alves of France.
“I’m really excited, and she’s (Tinne Gilis) a top 10 player, and this is the first time (to beat a player in top 10),” said Anahat.
“I’ve been really happy with the way I’ve been playing this week, and I was talking to my coaches earlier today, and they said if I play the way I played yesterday, I have a chance against anyone. I just came in with the mentality that I’m just coming in to play my best squash, and it paid off in the end,” she added.
Speaking about the expectations from the tournament, Anahat admitted that she did not think that she would have a long run in the tournament. Anahat had not been playing too well in the build-up to the competition.
Anahat revealed that she trained with former champion Greg Gaultier, which did the world of good for her.
Before the quarter-final round, Anahat caused a massive surprise against Melissa Alves. Despite being stretched to four games, the Indian youngster was able to finish off the match 12-10, 12-10, 8-11, 11-2 in a 41-minute battle.
Earlier in the opening round of the match, Anahat romped past Switzerland’s Cindy Merlo in straight games. She beat the Swiss 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 in 17 minutes in the opening round.
Anahat will now face world number 10 and fourth seed Gina Kennedy of England in the semifinals.
Earlier this year, she had won bronze medal in the World Squash Junior Championships.
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