Anahat enters World Junior Squash quarterfinal
Ontario, July 23
Top-seeded Indian Anahat Singh eased past Malaysian Doyce Ye San Lee to advance to the women's quarterfinals of the World Squash Junior Individual Championships.
Anahat, bronze medallist from last year, beat her 13/16 seed opponent 11-4, 11-8, 11-3 in the pre-quarterfinals and will take on Egyptian 5/8 seed Habiba Rizk next.
Elsewhere in the women's section, Egypt's Habiba Rizk beat the USA's Charlotte Sze in a four-game battle, and Belgium's Savannah Moxham came from behind to beat Hong Kong, China's Ena Kwong 3-1.
Another gyptian Malika Elkaraksy moved into the next round with a win over the USA's Diya Yadav, while No. 1 seed Mohamad Zakaria progressed after a win against Pakistan's Nauman Khan. France's Amir Khaled-Jousselin advanced after a straight-game victory over England's Ronnie Hickling; Hong Kong, China's Helen Tang progressed with a victory over Malaysia's Harleein Tan.
In the men's section, there were a number of upsets involving the top-eight seeds, with India's Aryaveer Dewan [5/8] losing to the USA's Yaseen Shalaby in straight games. The reigning Asian U-19 champion fell to the American 4-11, 1-11, 5-11.
Brazil's Laura Silva fell short against Malaysia's Whitney Wilson, and Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Alnasfan reached the last eight after a victory over England's Dylan Roberts in a five-game thriller.
At World Squash Junior Championships 2026, the individual competition from July 20 to 25 will be followed by the men's and women's team events from July 26 to 31 at the same venue.
India's men's team heads into the competition after winning bronze in Cairo last year, ending a 13-year medal drought at the championships.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Heartening to see Anahat dominating so clinically. 11-4, 11-8, 11-3 - that's proper top-seed form. Also glad the men's team is building on that bronze from last year. India's squash pipeline looks strong now.
Tough break for Aryaveer Dewan though - the Asian U-19 champ lost in straight games to a USA player. That 4-11, 1-11, 5-11 scoreline suggests there's work to do on mental conditioning. Still, the depth in Indian junior squash is encouraging.
Finally some good news from Indian sports beyond cricket! Anahat is such a role model for young girls. She's only 15 (I think?) and already competing at this level. Hope she goes all the way this time. 💪
Great performance by Anahat but honestly, the men's section is worrying. Aryaveer lost so tamely. We need more investment in coaching infrastructure for squash. Talent is there but grooming needs to improve. Still, congrats to Anahat and best of luck for the quarterfinal!
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