Former World No. 1 James Willstrop, who’s part of the coaching staff for the Asian Games-bound Indian squash contingent, believes Anahat Singh’s instinctive attacking game makes her a “very unusual player.”

“She’s got this instinct to go into the front of the court and to hit accurately short. I’ve very rarely seen it being done the way she’s doing it by someone as good as she is,” ,” he said at the Indian Squash Academy (ISA) on Thursday, ahead of the squash contingent’s departure for Japan on Friday.

“I mean, she’s a very unusual player. Unusual in that she attacks the front so clinically and more often than the other girls. So, the other girls are constantly on edge.”

Anahat, the reigning World junior champion, is still “very young” and “relatively inexperienced compared to her compatriots,” Willstrop said.

“She’s a baby. She’s barely played any platinum events. She’s up against them, but then she’s probably got a little bit less pressure than they have,” he added.

Willstrop expects the 18-year-old to become increasingly difficult to beat as she develops physically and tactically.

“The girls are already struggling with her now because of her sheer instinct and attack. Give her a few more years. When she gets the physical strength, becomes even more disciplined, and gets even more understanding of constructing rallies, it’s going to be a real nightmare for the opponents. She’s a wonderful prospect,” he said.

The 43-year-old sees his role at the Asian Games as primarily providing “tactical support,” while helping the players make the most of his “experience.”

Speaking about India’s singles medal prospects, he said: “Anahat’s obviously a big prospect for a medal chance — that could be gold. Abhay (Singh) and Veer (Chotrani) have great chances.

“I’ve seen Veer push Ali Farag very hard at the World Championships. I’ve seen him play some fabulous squash. If he can produce that, there’s a massive chance of a medal.”

Former World No. 1 James Willstrop, who’s part of the coaching staff for the Asian Games-bound Indian squash contingent, believes Anahat Singh’s instinctive attacking game makes her a “very unusual player.”

“She’s got this instinct to go into the front of the court and to hit accurately short. I’ve very rarely seen it being done the way she’s doing it by someone as good as she is,” ,” he said at the Indian Squash Academy (ISA) on Thursday, ahead of the squash contingent’s departure for Japan on Friday.

“I mean, she’s a very unusual player. Unusual in that she attacks the front so clinically and more often than the other girls. So, the other girls are constantly on edge.”

Anahat, the reigning World junior champion, is still “very young” and “relatively inexperienced compared to her compatriots,” Willstrop said.

“She’s a baby. She’s barely played any platinum events. She’s up against them, but then she’s probably got a little bit less pressure than they have,” he added.

Willstrop expects the 18-year-old to become increasingly difficult to beat as she develops physically and tactically.

“The girls are already struggling with her now because of her sheer instinct and attack. Give her a few more years. When she gets the physical strength, becomes even more disciplined, and gets even more understanding of constructing rallies, it’s going to be a real nightmare for the opponents. She’s a wonderful prospect,” he said.

The 43-year-old sees his role at the Asian Games as primarily providing “tactical support,” while helping the players make the most of his “experience.”

Speaking about India’s singles medal prospects, he said: “Anahat’s obviously a big prospect for a medal chance — that could be gold. Abhay (Singh) and Veer (Chotrani) have great chances.

“I’ve seen Veer push Ali Farag very hard at the World Championships. I’ve seen him play some fabulous squash. If he can produce that, there’s a massive chance of a medal.”

On Saturday, in her final year as a junior, she buried it. Anahat won in straight games in the final against Ruqayya Salem, ended Egypt’s run of 13 straight titles, and secured a first for Indian squash.

“The score says 3-0, but it was definitely not comfortable. In a final, every single point feels like it’s the last,” she told The Hindu, in a virtual interaction facilitated by JSW Sports, on Monday.

Anahat felt she had a real shot at the title after the first two games — until things got tight in the third game.

She caught herself just in time, before the ghosts stirred again.

In the end, she lost just two games in the entire tournament and showed why she was the top seed and India’s No. 1 ranked player.

“The mental strength was always there, but I’ve not used it well. So I told myself to focus, get it done and then enjoy it all. Following a set routine really helped, and I think I have to follow it going forward.”

That said, her nerves actually eased as the competition wore on.

“I was more stressed out in my first few rounds because you really need to get the momentum right. I knew I was playing well and I was quite confident [going into the final]. I just wanted to get it over with because it was too stressful in the build-up to the tournament.”

Yet even history has its blind spots. The 18-year-old’s one regret? The winning moment itself.

“My celebration was really bad! Winning the title felt unreal, and so I couldn’t think of anything in the moment,” she added with a laugh.

It was a case of now or never for Anahat Singh. 

After multiple unsuccessful attempts, the supremely talented 18-year-old had one last crack at the World junior squash women’s title. And things finally fell into place in Ontario as Anahat carved her own piece of history by becoming the first Indian to hoist the individual prize. 

The ‘teen titan’ was both delighted and relieved to break the “curse”. “I still feel like I am dreaming. It (crown) means the world to me,” Anahat said after cruising past Ruqayya Salem of Egypt 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the summit contest. 

“This is the biggest event a junior can play in. I have been playing in it for four years, and it has not gone my way; I lost in the semis and quarters. If someone asked, I always said: ‘This tournament is a curse.’ But coming into the event, I knew that it was my last year in juniors and that I had to give my 100%. I am really glad that it worked out,” added Anahat, the force which put a halt to Egypt’s sustained dominance in the women’s category. 

The Delhi girl, who lived up to the top seed billing in the global competition, revealed that she played with a clear mind in the final. “I knew that I would play terribly if I stressed myself, so I just came on court and hit my lines well. Playing against Salem is always tough, but I wanted to enjoy every moment of a World championship final.” 

Anahat’s mentor Saurav Ghosal praised his ward for working her way to the top. “You finally put it all together when it mattered the most. Let this be another milestone in the journey to something much bigger,” wrote Ghosal, a former India men’s No. 1. 

Potential game-changer 

Anahat, ranked World No. 20 at the senior level, hoped that her triumph in World juniors would be a game-changer for Indian squash. “It is huge for Indian squash that someone from the country can play at this stage. If a few people watch my matches and the matches of other players in the event, we will gain a lot more recognition. India is a huge country, so if it reaches the right audience, squash can rapidly grow as a sport”.