Anahat enters World Junior squash semifinal
Ontario, July 24
Indian top seed Anahat Singh continues her impressive campaign at the 2026 World Junior Individual Championships, earning a well-deserved place in the semi-finals after beating Egyptian Habiba Rizk.
Women's world No. 20 Anahat defeated Habiba 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9 in the quarterfinals. She became the first Indian to reach back-to-back semi-finals in the World Juniors and a firm favourite to win the title.
She will meet another Egyptian, Barb Sameh, in the last-four stage in a bid to become India's first-ever junior world champion.
Meanwhile, Barb Sameh and Malika Elkaraksy progressed after straight-game victories over Helen Tang of Hong Kong, China, and Belgium's Savannah Moxham, while Egypt's No. 2 seed Adam Hawal progressed with a win over Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Alnasfan, winning 3-1.
In the men's section, Egypt's Marwan Assal booked his place into the last four in an epic battle against France's Amir Khaled-Jousselin. He will be joined by his compatriot and No. 2 seed Ruqayya Salem, who progressed after a tough contest against Malaysia's Whitney Wilson with the match being stretched across five games.
Elsewhere, Seifeldin Refaay [3/4] progressed following a straight-game victory over Maddox Moxham. Refaay, the 2026 British Junior Champion, will take on the No. 1 seed and fellow countryman Mohamad Zakaria in what promises to be an exciting contest.
Quarter-final Women's Results
[1] Anahat Singh (IND) bt [5/8] Habiba Rizk (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9
[3/4] Barb Sameh (EGY) bt [5/8] Helen Tang (HKG) 3-0: 11-1, 11-9, 11-7
[2] Ruqayya Salem (EGY) bt [9/12] Whitney Wilson (MAS) 3-2: 4-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7
[3/4] Malika Elkaraksy (EGY) bt [5/8] Savannah Moxham (BEL) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-5
World Squash Junior Individual Championships - Quarter-final Men's Results
[1] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [9/12] Yaseen Shalaby (USA) 3-0:11-0, 11-7, 11-4.
[3/4] Seifeldin Refaay (EGY) bt [9/12] Maddox Moxham (BEL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-9
[2] Adam Hawal (EGY) bt [9/12] Mohammed Alnasfan (KSA) 3-1: 11-2, 10-12, 11-3, 11-3
[3/4] Marwan Assal (EGY) bt [5/8] Amir Khaled-Jousselin (FRA) 3-2: 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7
— IANS
Reader Comments
Well played Anahat! She's consistently been our best bet in squash. Dropping the third set but coming back strong in the fourth shows real mental toughness. The Egyptian players are always tough opponents, especially in junior events. This semi-final against Barb Sameh will be a real test but I'm confident. 🤞
Impressive run by Anahat Singh. It's great to see Indian squash continuing to rise on the global stage. The Egyptian dominance in junior squash is well-known, so to be the sole non-Egyptian in the women's semi-finals is remarkable. Hope she can break through and win it all.
Fantastic achievement! But I feel the Indian sports media should cover squash more. Anahat has been performing consistently for years now and still doesn't get the recognition she deserves. Hope she wins the title and forces everyone to take notice. All the best for the semi-final! 🎯
Great to see Anahat flying the Indian flag high! The Egyptian players are notoriously strong in age-group competitions, so beating Habiba Rizk in four games is commendable. That 11-9 fourth set was nerve-wracking but she held her nerve. Go get that title, Anahat! 🏆
As a squash enthusiast, this is wonderful news. Anahat's progress through the ranks has been steady and well-deserved. But let's not get carried away - Barb Sameh is a top seed and will be a very tough opponent. Anahat needs to be at her absolute best. Also good to see healthy competition from other countries, not just Egypt dominating everything.
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