Commonwealth Games 2022 squash: Anahat Singh dazzles on debut

The youngest member of India’s Commonwealth Games 2022 contingent, Anahat Singh had a perfect CWG debut, progressing to the women’s singles round of 32 in Birmingham, UK.

The 14-year-old Anahat Singh got the better of Jada Ross of Saint Vincent and Grenadines 3-0 (11-5, 11-2, 11-0).

It was Anahat Singh’s first senior-level appearance for India and she could not have asked for a better start, as she breezed her way into the next round at Birmingham 2022.

"It’s really exciting and so much fun," Anahat said. "It’s my first senior tournament so I didn’t really know what to expect, but I got more confident as the match went on. I had nothing to lose. A lot of my family are here and they were all cheering really loudly."

Coach Chris Walker, a two-time Commonwealth Games and world championships medallist, has been working with Anahat Singh for the last six months reckons the young Indian has a bright future.

“She is a lovely girl. She has great problem-solving skills,” the 55-year-old Englishman said. “She is very smart, has good court sense and great racket work. At 14, you just want to help that talent grow. The short period of time I've been working with her has just been tremendous fun.

"She has got a great attitude to all this attention. She’s just enjoying the ride. She won the third game 11-0 - there was never any chance of her letting up. She is very present when she is playing and so mature for such a young age," Walker added.

The teenager will next face a stiff challenge against experienced Welshwoman Emily Whitlock, a former world No.12, in the round of 32 on Saturday.

In the men’s singles, Abhay Singh also comfortably beat Joe Chapman of the British Virgin Islands 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-5).

He will next be up against veteran Scotsman Alan Clyne, a former doubles world champion, in the round of 32.

Indian veterans Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa will also be seen in action in squash at CWG 2022 on Saturday.