Anahat Singh beats 8-time world champion Nour El Sherbini

Anahat Singh recorded the biggest win of her career on Thursday, taking down eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in the Round of 16 at the Silicon Valley Open Squash.

The 18-year-old Anahat required only 30 minutes as she dismantled the world No 3 Egyptian 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in straight games.

"I've grown up watching every single match of hers," said Anahat after her win. "We have the same coach, Greg, as well.

"I admire her and want to achieve the things she has done in her career. She is an inspiration to all squash players."

Anahat was just seven years old when El Sherbini won her first world championship title back in 2015.

Anahat, who was crowned the junior world champion earlier this year, propelled herself into the quarter-finals of the Silicon Valley Open, a PSA Tour gold level event, with the win.

The Indian star admitted that she went into the match, knowing she has the potential to take down El Sherbini if she played her best squash in what was their first-ever meeting.

"Going into the match, the national coach of India was here with me and he was telling me that I definitely do have a shot, if I was playing really, really well," said Anahat.

"Just getting to share a court with her, it was my first time. I didn't expect it to go like this. I thought I'll take a little while to settle in and understand how to play her.

"But the game plan ended up working pretty well and I just stuck through it. I still can't believe that it ended up on my side of the court," she added with a chuckle.