Squash: Anahat Singh crowned India's first-ever World Junior Champion

Anahat Singh was crowned the Squash World Junior Champion on Saturday, becoming the first ever Indian to achieve the feat.

Anahat, 18, blanked Egypt's Ruqqaya Salem 3-0 as she cruised to the title in no time.

In the process she surpassed India's best-ever performance at the event, which was a runner-up finish by now veteran Joshna Chinappa recorded more than two decades back in 2005.

"I still feel like I'm dreaming," said Anahat minutes after her win.

"This tournament has been the worst tournament for me," she said catching her breath. "I've been losing in the semi-finals and quarter-finals for the last four years.

"I've always said that this tournament's a curse, I've never been able to play well.

"I knew this was my last year and this was the only chance I had to win this tournament. It means the world [to me]," she added.

Anahat, currently in the final year of her junior circuit, entered the tournament as the top seed. She was expected to steam roll her way through to the title and didn't disappoint.

She started her campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over qualifier Lilly Wilson of New Zealand.

She then took down Hong Kong's Pui Yin Chloe Lo by the same margin in the Round of 32 to book her spot in the pre-quarterfinals.

Malaysia's Doyce Ye San Lee was the receiving end of Anahat's exploits then as she advanced to the quarter-finals and was the lone Indian standing in the tournament.

She then faced what was arguably the closest match of the tournament for her, as she eased past Egypt's Habiba Rizk 3-1 to assure herself of a medal.

Anahat was the non-Egyptian in the women's singles final four and took down Barb Sameh 3-1 to reach the final and better the colour of her medal from the previous edition.

In the title clash, there was no stopping Anahat as she registered an 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 victory to be named the world junior champion.