Squash Nationals: 17-year-old Anahat Singh storms into semifinals

New Delhi: Anahat Singh carries the confidence of someone far beyond her age on the squash court. Her game retains the freshness and flair of a teenager unburdened by convention. The 17-year-old is already crafting an identity of her own, a style that makes squash look less like a test of attrition and more a canvas for creativity.At first glance, what stands out is her court coverage. She glides rather than scrambles, her movements purposeful and measured, finding the ball early and buying herself critical milliseconds to shape her shots. This composure at the backcourt becomes the platform where she builds points with imagination. Her drop shots, for example, carry the silky disguise of a touch artist — delivered at the last instant.And then, when defenders adjust, she surprises them with crisp length that clings to the side wall, turning defence into attack with a flick of her wrist. A sudden crosscourt nick, a delicate lob played under pressure, or a deceptive hold that pauses her shot for half a beat longer than expected. These elements create a sense of unpredictability around her.Tamil Nadu’s Pooja Arthi, Anahat’s women’s singles quarterfinal opponent at the HCL 81st National Squash Championships 2025, often found herself at wits end as the Delhi girl showcased her superior tactical awareness to cruise to the semifinals with a 11-3, 11-0, 11-2 straight games victory at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Tuesday.“Happy with the way I played. I don’t get to play on these courts much. This is a new venue for me. I generally train at Siri Fort Stadium and there is also a makeshift court at our house. The semis would definitely be tougher,” Anahat said after her match.Top seed Anahat will take on fellow Delhi girl Tanvi Khanna in the semis. Tanvi beat Sanya Vats 11-7, 11-8 (retd). Sanya looked to be fighting well against Tanvi, but retired after two games.The other semifinal will see veteran Joshna Chinappa, representing Tamil Nadu, face second seed Akanksha Salunkhe of Goa.Joshna was in a spot of bother when she lost the second game, but then upped the ante to beat Unnati Tripathi of UP 11-4, 8-11, 11-4, 11-4 in her quarterfinal encounter. Joshna has a record 18 national titles to her credit, and was ranked in the top-10 in the world in her prime.In the men’s section, second seed Velavan Senthilkumar of Tamil Nadu managed to put it across Goa’s Yash Fadte 11-6, 11-6, 11-8. Abhay Singh, Ramit Tandon and Veer Chotrani also made it to the semifinals.