Anahat Singh Completes Stunning Comeback to Reach Squash Singles Final at Asian Games 2026

Anahat Singh has created history at the Asian Games 2026, becoming the first Indian woman to reach the singles final in squash after producing a remarkable comeback against Japan’s Satomi Watanabe.

The 18-year-old Indian, ranked 17th in the world, recovered from 0-2 down to defeat world No. 6 Watanabe 9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3 in an extraordinary semifinal. What made the victory even more remarkable was the position Anahat found herself in during the third game. Having lost the opening two games, the Indian was staring at defeat again at 7-10.

Instead, she saved two match points, stole the third game 12-10 and completely transformed the contest. Anahat then won the fourth and fifth games to complete one of the most memorable comebacks of India's Asian Games campaign.

The semifinal was billed as a meeting between one of India's most exciting young squash players and a highly experienced home favourite. Watanabe made the stronger start. The Japanese player edged a closely fought opening game 11-9 despite Anahat saving two game points. The Indian continued to compete aggressively, but Watanabe was able to produce the crucial points when the game reached its decisive stages.

The second game was even more dramatic. Anahat remained within touching distance throughout and had opportunities to take control. At 9-10 down, she earned two strokes that gave her opportunities to turn the game around. Watanabe, however, absorbed the pressure and eventually won the game 13-11.

The Japanese star now led 2-0, leaving Anahat needing three consecutive games to reach the final.

Anahat Survives a Huge Scare

The third game initially appeared to be heading in Watanabe's favour. Anahat was trailing 7-10 and facing three match points. The situation looked bleak for the Indian teenager.

But she refused to surrender. Anahat saved the match points and gradually began to change the momentum of the contest. Watanabe was unable to convert her opportunities, while the Indian grew increasingly confident. The game reached 10-10 before Anahat finally completed the turnaround, winning 12-10. That single game changed the complexion of the semifinal.

Watanabe had been two games away from victory. Suddenly, Anahat was back in the contest.

The third-game comeback came after an unfortunate incident earlier in the second game. At 9-10, Anahat collided with Watanabe while attempting to retrieve the ball, with the Indian's head hitting the Japanese player's shoulder. Play was temporarily stopped as Anahat received medical attention. Thankfully, both players were able to return to the court and continue the match.

The incident added another layer of tension to an already intense semifinal, but Anahat maintained her focus and continued to fight  The fourth game showed that the momentum had decisively shifted. Anahat continued playing aggressively, looking to attack and finish rallies rather than becoming involved in extended exchanges.

The game was level at 4-4 before the Indian began to establish a narrow advantage. She moved ahead 8-6 and then produced the decisive burst. Anahat won five consecutive points to close out the fourth game 11-6. From trailing 0-2, the Indian had now levelled the semifinal at 2-2.

Everything came down to a fifth game.

Anahat Dominates the Decider

The deciding game proved to be the most emphatic part of Anahat's comeback. She established control early and began to look increasingly comfortable on court. The Indian teenager raced ahead, forcing Watanabe to chase the score rather than dictate the exchanges. Anahat eventually moved to a 10-3 lead, giving herself seven match points. After everything that had happened in the previous four games, she needed only one.

She closed out the fifth game 11-3 to complete a stunning 3-2 victory. From 0-2 down, Anahat had won three consecutive games.

The victory carries enormous significance for Indian squash. Anahat is now the first Indian woman to reach the singles final at the Asian Games. The teenager has therefore secured at least a silver medal and will now have an opportunity to fight for India's first women's singles squash gold at the Asian Games. Her victory also keeps alive a major opportunity connected to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle. According to the information provided around the semifinal, one more victory in the final would give Anahat the opportunity to qualify for the LA Olympics.

But before that, the Indian youngster can savour a historic achievement. She entered the semifinal against a world No. 6 home favourite, fell two games behind and then stared at three match points in the third.

She saved them all. Anahat then won three straight games 12-10, 11-6 and 11-3 to turn what looked like a defeat into a landmark victory.

The final now awaits. For an 18-year-old who refused to give up when the match appeared to be slipping away, Anahat Singh has already ensured that her name will be part of Indian squash history.