India’s rising squash star Abhay Singh bowed out of the Grasshopper Cup quarter-finals in Zurich on April 25 after a thrilling showdown against Egypt’s former world No. 1 and world champion Karim Gawad. In a match full of momentum swings, the Indian world No. 24 fought back from an early storm but narrowly lost 12-10, 11-9 in just over 30 minutes.
Singh, appearing in his first-ever PSA Gold-level quarter-final, stunned many with a remarkable recovery after trailing 6-0 in the opening game. He clawed his way back into contention to force a tie-break before pushing Gawad hard in the second, showing aggressive shot-making and mental grit.
Earlier in the tournament, Singh had taken down Egypt’s world No. 13 Aly Abou Eleinen to reach this stage, marking a career milestone on the PSA World Tour. In that round, he produced a resilient comeback and tactical control to win 12-10, 11-9, reinforcing his growing reputation against top-ranked opponents.
Gawad, the second seed and world No. 4, praised Singh after the match, calling him “one of the smartest and most talented players on tour” and noting how unpredictable and dangerous his play can be — especially during the first game’s stunning comeback from a large deficit.
The Grasshopper Cup, a prestigious PSA World Tour Gold event held in Zurich, attracted several top players this year. Singh’s performance, especially his fightback and high-intensity rallies, earned plaudits from fans and pundits alike as a sign of his steady climb in international squash.
With this Zurich run adding to a series of strong showings around the world, Abhay Singh remains a key figure in Indian squash’s next wave — blending flair, tenacity, and an improving game that’s now pushing deep in major events.
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