Sivasangari hopes for miracle at Nicol David Arena
KUALA LUMPUR: National woman squash player, S. Sivasangari is hoping for a miracle at the Nicol David Arena when she takes on third seeded Joey Chan Ho Ling of Hong Kong in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Individual Squash Championship, today (May 3).
The 2018 Asian Games silver medalist who progressed from the third round following a 4-1 win (6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7) over compatriot Aifa Azman admitted that playing in the glass court would always be her favourite.
World’s number 50, Sivasangari, 20, who flew all the way from the United States for the tournament was determined to give her best to create an upset win over the 30-year-old Hong Kong player who is also the world’s number 19.
“Well, Joey is a top player so I think she’s more under pressure and I just want to go out there and again push myself .... do what I can do and give my best.
May the best player wins tomorrow.
“Hopefully, like tomorrow, it’s in the glass court and you know it’s like a different game there. I love playing in the glass and let’s see how it goes tomorrow,” said Sivasangari who was seeded number six, told reporters here, yesterday.
Joey Chan defeated Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 12-10) in 22 minutes to advance into the quarterfinals. Also booking a slot into the top eight was number four seed, Low Wee Wern who beat Sunayna Kuruvilla of India 30 (11-7, 11-7, 11-7) to lock horns with Satomi Watanabe of Japan.
In the meantime, Rachel Arnold suffered a 2-3 (11-9, 115, 16-18, 7-11, 6-11) shock defeat to Tanvi Khanna of India while Lai Wen Li couldn’t match the world’s number 11, Annie Au of Hong Kong when she lost 0-3 (8-11, 0-11, 2-11).
Some of Asia’s top players, including men’s world number 10, Sauraj Ghosal were taking part in the fiveday Asian Individual Squash Championships, which began on Wednesday at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.