India’s Anahat Singh produced a stunning comeback at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday, defeating Japan’s world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe to storm into the women’s singles squash final.
The 17th-ranked Indian came back from two games down to win the semifinal 3-2, producing one of the most remarkable performances of India’s campaign at the Games.
Anahat appeared to be on the brink of defeat after losing the opening two games 11-9 and 13-11. However, the 18 year-old refused to give up and completely changed the momentum of the contest, winning three consecutive games to book her place in the gold-medal match.
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Anahat Saves Two Match Points In Dramatic Third Game
With Watanabe leading 2-0, Anahat faced another major challenge in the third game. The Japanese star moved to 10-8 and had two match points, leaving the Indian on the verge of elimination.
Anahat, however, showed remarkable composure to save both match points and fight her way back into the contest. She eventually won the game 12-10 to stay alive.
The momentum then shifted decisively in India’s favour.
Indian Star Completes Stunning Comeback
Anahat carried her confidence into the fourth game and produced an impressive 11-6 victory to level the semifinal at 2-2.
The contest had gone from a potential straight-game defeat to a deciding fifth game, with Anahat now firmly in control.
She completed the extraordinary turnaround by winning the decider, sealing a 3-2 victory and securing her place in the women’s singles final.
Anahat Makes History Against Higher-Ranked Opponent
The victory is particularly significant given the rankings of the two players. Watanabe entered the contest ranked sixth in the world, while Anahat was ranked 17th.
After being just two points away from defeat in the third game, the Indian produced a remarkable recovery and then outplayed her higher-ranked opponent in the fourth and fifth games.
Anahat’s victory sends her into the Asian Games women’s singles squash final, where she will now fight for the gold medal.
Anahat had a mountain to climb, but she showed great character to make a strong comeback to claim the third game and fourth games, and force a decider, in which the Indian did not allow her opponent to dictate terms.