Sivasangari leaves it late to turn tables on Aitken

KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari (pic) staged a stunning comeback to storm into the women’s final of the Malaysian Tour Squash Circuit (SSJM) No. 11.

The 18-year-old found herself trailing two sets to one against Lisa Aitken of Scotland in the semi-finals yesterday.

Instead of panicking, world No. 61 Sivasangari composed herself to score an 11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6 win at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

“I didn’t start well. I think I was a bit tired mentally as I’ve been travelling a lot,” said Sivasangari.

“I knew it would be tough against Lisa. She’s a former top 40 player and she’s been playing well of late.

“I’m glad I found my ‘A’ game in the fifth set.”

It will be Sivasangari’s second straight final after her triumph at the Beijing Squash Challenge in China last week.

She will meet teammate Rachel Arnold in a repeat of the SEA Games final last month.

World No. 50 Rachel avenged her defeat to 18-year-old Andrea Lee at the SSJM No. 10 two weeks ago by winning 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 11-4 yesterday.

“I think Andrea was injured as she wasn’t really running for the returns,” said Rachel.

“I lost to Sivansangari in the SEA Games. If I can get off to a strong start early on, it would help.”

Top seed Mohd Syafiq Kamal made sure of an all-Malaysian men’s final by downing Pakistan’s Amaad Fareed 11-7, 11-9, 11-3 in the semi-finals.

The world No. 97 will face third seed Mohd Addeen Idrakie, who defeated Elvinn Keo 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9, for the title.