Silicon Valley Open 2026: Anahat Singh Advances to Round of 16, Faces Eight-Time World Champion Nour El Sherbini Next

India’s rising squash star Anahat Singh began her Silicon Valley Open 2026 campaign with a straight-games victory over Egypt’s Nour Aboulmakarim, booking her place in the round of 16 at the PSA Gold event. 

The Indian, ranked World No. 15, won 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 against her World No. 44 opponent to make a confident start to the tournament.

The victory sets up a formidable challenge for the 18-year-old Indian, who is scheduled to face Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini in the next round. El Sherbini, the tournament’s top seed and an eight-time world champion, represents a significant step up in opposition as Anahat looks to progress deeper into the competition.

Anahat’s opening-round performance, however, provided a positive start, with the Indian managing the contest in three games and maintaining her composure when the third game became particularly tight.

Anahat entered the match against Aboulmakarim with a clear ranking advantage, sitting at World No. 15 compared with the Egyptian’s World No. 44 position. She translated that advantage into a straight-games win, taking the first two games by identical 11-8 margins before closing out the contest 12-10 in the third.

The opening game established the pattern for the match. Anahat secured an 11-8 win to take the early lead and put pressure on her opponent to respond. She maintained that advantage in the second game, again winning 11-8 to move within one game of the round of 16.

Aboulmakarim faced a more urgent situation in the third game, knowing that another defeat would end her campaign. The Egyptian pushed Anahat closer, taking the game beyond the standard 11-point threshold. However, the Indian held her nerve to win 12-10 and complete the 3-0 victory.

The final scoreline reflected Anahat’s ability to close out the match without allowing the contest to extend into a fourth game. While the first two games were decided by three points each, the third demanded greater composure as the margin narrowed.

For Anahat, the result ensured an efficient start at a major PSA Gold tournament, allowing her to progress without spending additional games on court.

The next round presents a markedly different challenge. Anahat is scheduled to face Nour El Sherbini, Egypt’s top seed at the Silicon Valley Open and an eight-time world champion. El Sherbini’s achievements and experience make her one of the most accomplished players in the women’s game. The Egyptian’s record at the highest level means Anahat will face an opponent with extensive experience of handling pressure in major tournaments.

The round-of-16 meeting will test the Indian’s ability to sustain her performance against a player of considerably greater championship pedigree. Anahat’s opening-round win will provide confidence, but the contest against El Sherbini is likely to demand a higher level of consistency and tactical precision.

For the Indian teenager, the match also represents an opportunity to measure her progress against one of the leading figures in international squash. A strong performance against the top seed would be valuable experience, regardless of the final result.

The challenge is especially significant because the Silicon Valley Open is a PSA Gold event, bringing together players competing at a high level on the professional circuit.

Anahat’s Continued Rise in International Squash

Anahat has emerged as one of India’s most closely followed squash players, with her position inside the world’s top 20 reflecting her progress on the international circuit. Her World No. 15 ranking places her among the leading players in the draw and provides a platform for further advancement.

At the Silicon Valley Open, the immediate objective was to navigate the opening round successfully. She accomplished that against Aboulmakarim, winning in straight games and avoiding a deciding game.

The manner of the victory was also encouraging. Anahat did not need to rely on a single dominant game; instead, she maintained control across all three, including when the Egyptian mounted a stronger challenge in the final game.

Such results are important in a tournament format where players must negotiate successive rounds against increasingly difficult opponents. Every victory creates another opportunity to gain experience and improve a player’s standing on the professional tour.

However, the round of 16 will provide a more demanding measure of Anahat’s current form. El Sherbini’s experience and status as the top seed will make the encounter one of the most important tests of the Indian’s campaign.

Anahat Singh’s 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 victory over Nour Aboulmakarim has given India a reason to follow the next stage of the Silicon Valley Open closely. The Indian has advanced to the round of 16 and will now prepare for a meeting with one of the sport’s most decorated champions.

The opening-round result confirmed that Anahat could handle the immediate task efficiently. The next challenge, however, will require her to raise her level against El Sherbini, whose record makes her a formidable opponent.

For Anahat, the focus will be on carrying the confidence from her opening victory into the next match, while adapting to the tactical demands of facing an eight-time world champion. Her campaign remains alive, and the round-of-16 clash offers a significant opportunity to test herself against the highest level of women’s squash.