Eyeing grand finale
Sivasangari seeks year-end title in Pakistan
PETALING JAYA: Youngster S. Sivasangari is hell-bent on ending the year on a high.
The 18-year-old made that crystal clear by storming into the final of the US$25,000 (RM102,000) CAS International squash championships in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The world No. 49 got the better of Australian former world No. 1 Rachael Grinham 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 in the semi-finals at the Mushaf Squash Complex yesterday.
It felt like sweet revenge for Sivasangari, as she was beaten by the 40-year-old Grinham in the Australian Open final last month.
The win over fifth-seeded Grinham is also Sivasangari’s third upset of the week – she earlier stunned Egypt’s sixth seed Nada Abbas (first round) and second seed Hania El Hammamy (quarter-finals).
Sivasangari, who has now won 20 of 22 matches since September, faces top seed Annie Au of Hong Kong for the title.
World No. 11 Annie struggled to edge Egyptian world No. 43 Rowan Reda 13-11, 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-2 in the other semi-final.
“I felt more confident taking on Rachael after upsetting the two Egyptians in the earlier rounds. Those were really tough matches,” admitted a jubilant Sivasangari.
“Especially against Hania in the quarter-finals. I’ve lost to her a few times already and I badly wanted to win.
“It was also tough playing Rachael because she beat me recently but coach Ajaz (Azmat) helped me out a lot today.
“And I’m really happy to reach my first PSA25 final. I’m hoping for a good end to the year.
“Annie is an experienced opponent but I’ve been playing well this week, so I hope to give a good fight in my last match of
Confident: S. Sivasangari is pumped up to end the year on a high after storming into the final of the CAS International squash championships in Islamabad, Pakistan.
the year.”
There was no joy for Ng Eain Yow in the men’s US$50,000 (RM204,000) Pakistan Open that is held at the same venue.
The 19-year-old, who beat sixth seed Yip Tsz Fung of Hong Kong in the second round on Tuesday, fell to third seed Zahed Mohamed of Egypt in the quarter-finals.
World No. 54 Eain Yow went down fighting to world No. 24 Zahed 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 9-11.
National No. 1 Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan also bowed out after losing 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 5-11, 7-11 to second seed Mohamed Abouelghar of Egypt.