Icing on the cake
Sivasangari keeps U-19 title in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari has lived up to expectations by clinching the Under-19 title at the Asian Junior Squash Championships.
The 17-year-old made sure the title stayed in Malaysian hands for a third straight year by subduing Japan’s Satomi Watanabe 11-8, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9 in the final at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The Kedahan was heavily fancied to take the crown after her semi-final achievement at the World Junior Championships in Poland last month.
The Penang-based Watanabe started confidently, having beaten defending champion and second seed Andrea Lee in the semi-finals on Friday.
But Sivasangari, who hadn’t dropped a set until the final, controlled the pace to storm into a twoset lead.
Watanabe then gave herself a glimmer of hope by taking the third set 11-4.
But world No. 63 Sivasangari had too much depth in her arsenal as she held off Watanabe’s late charge to seal victory after 44 minutes.
“I started well, but I lost focus in the third ... she just came at me and I didn’t know what to do,” admitted Sivasangari.
“Coach (Ong) Beng Hee told me I was losing control and advised me to slow down the pace.
“I did just that by playing it safe and extending the rallies. I knew Satomi was getting tired and I didn’t take too many risks.”
This is Sivasangari’s fourth Asian Junior title and now has a complete collection of all the age-group titles.
It also made up for Ng Eain Yow’s disappointing loss in the boys’ Under-19 semi-final to Mohammad Alsarraj of Jorda on Friday.
“Although I’ve won all the other age-group titles, winning the Under19 crown means the most because it’s the highest level,” said Sivasangari. “I’m really happy that I’ve done it in front of my parents and friends ... I’m also grateful to Beng Hee, who has put in a lot of effort to guide me.”
There was no joy for Malaysia in the Under-17 category after Lai Wen Li went down fighting 7-11, 6-11, 6-11 to top seed Bubble Lui of Hong Kong.
There was, however a fabulous double for Malaysia and the Azman sisters – Aifa and Aira – in the lower age-groups.
Aira, who will turn 12 on Thursday, took the Under-13 title by beating Hong Kong’s Kirstie Wong 13-11, 11-9, 11-6.
Then, two-time British Junior Open winner Aifa claimed the Under-15 title by beating a gritty Chan Sin Yuk, also of Hong Kong, 14-12, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5.
With Danial Nurhaqiem also bagging the boys’ Under-15 crown, Malaysia finished their campaign with four titles – two fewer than their haul in Iran last year.