{
  "id": 9933738,
  "title": "Abhay Singh eases past Pakistan’s Muhammad Irfan to enter Asian Games final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/abhay-singh-eases-past-pakistans-muhammad-irfan-to-enter-asian-games",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T07:02:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/abhay-singh-eases-past-pakistans-muhammad-irfan-to-enter-asian-games-final-10894847/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian squash player Abhay Singh advanced to the Asian Games final with a decisive victory over Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan. The 28-year-old earned a 11-3, 12-10, 11-6 scoreline in Game 1 before a resilient Irfan managed to narrow the gap. Abhay's triumph, however, was decisive.\n\nAbhay will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan's Noor Zaman and Malaysia's NG Eain Yow in the gold medal match. Winning the men's singles title will grant Abhay a direct entry to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, where squash is making its debut. This accomplishment puts India in the enviable position of having two individual finalists for the first time in Asiad history.\n\nUpon reflecting on his performance, Abhay acknowledged that he was more mature and composed this time around, attributing it to age, experience, and working with his coach, James Willstrop. He downplayed the India vs Pakistan rivalry angle, stating that for him, it was just another opponent and another match. He emphasized that the team's support and his maturity stemming from losses in the last three years played a significant role in his success.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Indian squash player Abhay Singh wins Asian Games final spot",
    "Beats Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan 11-3, 12-10, 11-6",
    "Advances to gold medal match vs top semifinalist"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "China’s new sprint star, 17, vows ‘no limits’ after Asian Games gold",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/chinas-new-sprint-star-17-vows-no-limits-after-asian-games-gold",
        "published": "2026-09-26T05:33:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "New China sprint star, 17, vows 'no limits' after Asian Games gold",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/new-china-sprint-star-17-vows-no-limits-after-asian-games-gold",
        "published": "2026-09-26T06:18:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026: Anahat Singh Stuns World No. 6 Satomi Watanabe In 0-2 Comeback To Reach Women’s Squash Final | Watch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/asian-games-2026-anahat-singh-stuns-world-no-6-satomi-watanabe-in-0-2",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:12:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}