Making a stupendous start to her World Championship campaign, young Indian squash player Anahat Singh knocked out world No 28 American Marina Stefanoni here.

The 17-year-old Anahat, ranked 62 in the world, overcame loss in the first game to eke out a 10-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6 win in the opening round of the high-profile tournament on Friday.

Anahat has a tough task ahead as she faces world No 15 Fayrouz Aboelkheir next, who beat fellow Egyptian Hana Moataz 3-1 in her first round contest of the USD 656,500 tournament.

Also making a winning start was India’s Abhay Singh, who sent the world No 25 Nicolas Mueller packing. The 38th ranked Singh beat his Swiss rival 11-7, 2-11, 11-7, 11-6 in his opening round match of men’s singles event.

Singh’s opponent in the next round is world No 13 Youssef Ibrahim, who is also from Egypt.