The second round of the CIB Egyptian Squash Open proved a test of endurance and composure for India’s leading squash players, with Anahat Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar exiting the prestigious tournament after marathon contests against higher-ranked opponents.
Eighteen-year-old Anahat went down 7-11, 11-8, 14-12, 6-11, 6-11 against seventh seed Aboelkheir, while Velavan lost 11-8, 11-9, 11-13, 6-11, 7-11 to eighth seed Crouin. Both Indians demonstrated their ability to challenge established names on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour but were unable to close out their respective matches. The tournament, held at the Great Pyramids of Giza from October 6 to 16, features the world’s leading players in one of the biggest events on the professional squash calendar.
Anahat’s second-round encounter against Aboelkheir developed into a gripping battle, with the Indian teenager recovering from an opening-game setback before taking the match deep into a deciding fifth game. Aboelkheir, the seventh seed and one of Egypt’s leading players, claimed the first game 11-7. Anahat responded with an 11-8 win in the second to level the contest and demonstrate her attacking intent against the home favourite.
The third game proved pivotal. Anahat fought her way to a 12-11 lead in a tense exchange, moving within touching distance of taking the advantage in the match. However, Aboelkheir held her nerve to claim the game 14-12 and regain the lead. Refusing to give in, Anahat produced another determined response in the fourth game, winning 11-6 to force a decider. The Indian had done enough to take the contest to its final stage, but Aboelkheir found another gear when it mattered most.
The Egyptian secured the fifth game 11-6 to complete a 3-2 victory after 46 minutes of play. Despite the defeat, Anahat’s performance offered encouragement. Her ability to recover after losing the opening game and force a deciding game against a top-six opponent underlined her competitive potential at the highest level. The official tournament report described the contest as a high-quality encounter, highlighting Anahat’s impressive lobbing, shot selection and maturity under pressure.
Anahat entered the second round after overcoming Egyptian wildcard Habiba Rizk in a challenging opening-round match. She won 11-5, 11-4, 5-11, 16-14, recovering from a third-game loss before edging a closely fought fourth game to avoid a decider. The teenager has continued to establish herself among India’s most promising squash players. In February 2026, she reached world No. 19 in the PSA rankings, becoming the youngest Asian player to break into the top 20, according to Squash Info.
Her progress at the Egyptian Open adds to a season that has included appearances at major international events, including the Qatar Classic and the Asian Games. Although the Giza campaign ended earlier than she would have hoped, the five-game battle against Aboelkheir provided valuable experience against elite opposition.
Velavan faced a similarly demanding challenge against France’s Victor Crouin, but the Indian’s exit was marked by a missed opportunity after he won the first two games. Velavan started strongly, taking the opening game 11-8 before extending his advantage with an 11-9 win in the second. With a two-game lead, he moved within one game of securing a place in the next round.
Crouin, however, mounted a determined comeback. The Frenchman edged a crucial third game 13-11, narrowing the deficit and shifting the momentum of the contest. The fourth game saw Crouin take greater control, winning 11-6 to level the match at two games apiece. With the contest heading into a decider, Velavan was unable to halt his opponent’s charge.
Crouin completed the turnaround with an 11-7 win in the fifth game, sealing a 3-2 victory after 78 minutes. The result extended the Frenchman’s campaign, while Velavan was left to reflect on a match in which he had come close to securing a significant win. With Anahat and Velavan eliminated, attention also turned to Veer Chotrani, who advanced after defeating Egypt’s Moustafa Elsirty in the opening round. Chotrani was scheduled to face England’s Mohamed ElShorbagy in the next stage of the men’s draw.
The Egyptian Squash Open, a PSA World Tour Platinum event, provides a demanding test against the sport’s highest-ranked competitors. For India’s contingent, the tournament offers an opportunity to measure progress against established international opposition.
