Rising Star Singh Sinks Defending Champion Gilis To Reach Canadian Open Semis

India's rising teenage star Anahat Singh gatecrashed the semi-finals of the Canadian Women's Open after ousting defending champion Tinne Gilis in straight games at Brookfield Place in Toronto.

The 17-year-old from New Delhi, who scored her first victory against a player in the world top 20 earlier this week when she defeated Melissa Alves, went one better to progress to the last four of the Silver-level event by vanquishing reigning champion Gilis, the current world No.7.

Singh, who's been in excellent form all week in Canada, triumphed with a 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 scoreline in 36 minutes against the Belgian to clinch the biggest win of her career so far.

"I'm really excited and she's a top 10 player and this is the first time," said Singh.

"I've been really happy with the way I've been playing this week and I was talking to my coaches earlier today and they said if I play the way I played yesterday, I have a chance against anyone.

"I just came in with the mentality that I'm just coming in to play my best squash and it paid off at the end.

"Coming into this event, I wouldn't be thinking that I would be here right now. I wasn't really playing too well the week before this event was coming up, but Greg [Gaultier] was there during the US Open and I went and trained with him for four days. I knew that if I trained hard and I was focused, I had a chance coming into this event and I'm really happy."

Singh takes on England No.1 Gina Kennedy in the last four, who ended home hopes after dispatching Canadian No.1 Hollie Naughton 3/1.

Naughton, the last Canadian standing coming into the last eight, came into the clash off the back of a monumental comeback in round two against Nour Heikal, recovering from 2/0 down to win in five games.

However, the power and fitness levels of Kennedy proved to be too much in the end for Naughton, as the world No.10 claimed a 11-8, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4 victory to reach the semi finals.

"That was really tough," said Kennedy afterwards.

"When I saw the draw, and saw who I was seeded to play in the quarters - I knew with it being a home crowd that it would be a battle, and it really was. She made me really work for that.

"She made me play in a way she wanted me to. She sucked me into playing some patterns that I'm trying to get out of. I thought we were both hustling really well there and I'm happy to find a way through that. That was really tough."

In the Toronto Athletic Club Open, a men's Copper-level event which is also being held at Brookfield Place, Sam Todd caused an upset by defeating No.5 seed Ryunosuke Tsukue 3/1 in the final match of the day. The Englishman will meet Egypt's Yahya Elnawasany in the semi finals after the No.2 seed downed compatriot Mohamed Nasser in straight games.