Anahat Singh, Tanvi Khanna set up all-India squash quarterfinal at Asian Games

India’s Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna Thursday booked their places in the women’s singles squash quarterfinals at the Asian Games, setting up an all-Indian contest for a spot in the semifinals. Third seed Anahat, the junior world champion, made a commanding start to her singles campaign, defeating Singapore’s Wai Iynn Au Yeong 3-0 in just 19 minutes. Tanvi had a tougher route into the last eight, recovering after losing the opening game to beat another Singaporean, Wai Yhann Au Yeong, 3-1.

The two results mean India will have one player in the women’s singles semifinals, though a place in the last four will not automatically guarantee a medal under the competition format at this edition. The two losing semifinalists will contest a bronze-medal playoff.

Anahat cruises in 19 minutes

Anahat barely gave her Singaporean opponent an opportunity to settle into the contest, winning 11-4, 11-5, 11-7 in straight games. The Indian teenager, one of the country’s leading medal prospects in squash, controlled the match throughout and needed only 19 minutes to seal her quarterfinal berth.

Tanvi, meanwhile, was forced to come from behind against Wai Yhann. She lost the opening game 5-11 before responding emphatically to take the next two 11-4 and 11-5. The fourth game proved much tighter, but Tanvi held her nerve to close it out 13-11 and complete a 3-1 victory in 39 minutes. She will now face Anahat in the quarterfinal, ensuring an Indian presence in the last four of the women’s singles competition. The contest also carries additional significance with squash set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

Abhay, Veer enter quarters

India’s men also enjoyed a productive day, with Abhay Singh and Veer Chotrani advancing to the singles quarterfinals. Abhay delivered a dominant performance against Sri Lanka’s Ravindu Laksiri, winning 3-0 in 25 minutes. He took the opening two games 11-5 and 11-6 before overwhelming Laksiri 11-0 in the third.

Abhay will next face Japan’s Ryunosuke Tsukue for a place in the semifinals. Veer was pushed much harder by Malaysia’s Sanjay Jeeva in a five-game battle lasting one hour and nine minutes. The Indian eventually prevailed 3-2, winning 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 15-17, 11-6. After missing the opportunity to close the contest in a marathon fourth game, Veer recovered to take the decider 11-6. He will meet Pakistan’s Irfan Muhammad in the quarterfinals.

Joshna-Velavan advance

India also progressed in mixed doubles, where the experienced combination of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar defeated compatriots Suraj Chand and Shameena Riaz in the round of 16. Joshna and Velavan, bronze medallists at the Asian Championships, won the all-Indian encounter 2-0 with scores of 11-7 and 11-10.

After taking the first game comfortably, the pair were tested in the second as Suraj and Shameena recovered from 7-9 to draw level at 9-9. Joshna and Velavan, however, held their nerve in the closing exchanges to seal the contest. They will face the Philippines pair of David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado in Friday’s quarterfinal.

With Anahat, Tanvi, Abhay and Veer all reaching the singles last eight and Joshna-Velavan progressing in mixed doubles, India ended Thursday with multiple medal opportunities still alive in the squash competition.