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New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sivasangari recharges for new season
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari, who performed inconsistently in the 2024-25 squash season, needs to buck up for the 2025-26 season which begins in September. The 26-year-old Kedahan played in 15 tournaments this season and won one title — the Cincinnati Cup in February and rose to a career best of world No. 7. She finished second in the Malaysia Cup last November and Grasshopper Cup in Switzerland in April, reached two semi-finals: the Silicon Valley Open in California last October and Singapore Open last November. Sivasangari started the 2024-25 season as world No. 9 but was upset by Egypt's world No. 16 Nada Abbas in the third round of the Egyptian Open last September in her opening season tournament. She ended the season on a disappointing note after losing all her group matches — to American world No. 4 Olivia Weaver, Egypt's world No. 14 Fayrouz Aboelkheir and Japanese Satomi Watanabe — in the PSA Tour Finals in Toronto last week. Sivasangari said: "The 2024/25 season is done and dusted. Full of ups, downs, growth, and change. Some big goals achieved, but even more lessons learned. "Time to rest, recharge, and go again," said Sivasangari, who is based in Prague under former world champion Gregory Gaultier.
New Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sivasangari bows out of PSA Tour Finals without a win
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari bowed out of the PSA Squash Tour Finals in Toronto without a win, losing all three of her Group B matches. The world No. 8, who lifted the Cincinnati Cup title in February, suffered her third straight defeat on Wednesday, going down 8-11, 11-9, 11-7 to world No. 7 Satomi Watanabe of Japan. It was Sivasangari's first loss to Satomi in seven PSA Tour meetings, and the result saw her finish bottom of the group. She had earlier lost to world No. 4 Olivia Weaver of the United States and world No. 14 Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt. National coach Ajaz Azmat said Sivasangari started well by taking the opening game against Satomi but couldn't maintain her momentum. "Sivasangari gave her best, but she just couldn't find the points to win the match," said Ajaz. "She'll now have two months to rest and regroup before the new season starts in September." Satomi, who became the first Japanese player to reach the Tour Finals semi-finals, praised her opponent's spirit. "All credit to Sivasangari, she showed her fighting spirit right until the end," said Satomi. "It's tough to stay motivated once you know your qualification chances are slim, but she still turned up for the final game. "I knew the second game was crucial. I was down 6-3 and really happy to turn it around." Satomi will face Group A winner and world No. 1 Nouran Gohar of Egypt in the semi-finals, while Weaver takes on world No. 10 Georgina Kennedy of England in the other last-four clash.
New Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sivasangari handed Tour Finals semi-final boost after withdrawals
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari has been handed a major boost in her PSA Squash Tour Finals debut following the last-minute withdrawal of world No. 5 Amina Orfi of Egypt. The world No. 8 Malaysian now has a genuine shot at reaching the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament, which starts on Monday in Toronto. Orfi's exit comes just days after reigning world champion and world No. 2 Nour El Sherbini also pulled out due to a shoulder injury, prompting organisers to conduct a fresh draw. Sivasangari, 26, now finds herself in Group B alongside world No. 4 Olivia Weaver of the United States, Japan's world No. 7 Satomi Watanabe, and world No. 14 Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt. Group A features world No. 1 Nouran Gohar, Belgium's world No. 6 Tinne Gilis, American No. 9 Amanda Sobhy and England's No. 10 Georgina Kennedy. Only the top two players from each group will advance to the semi-finals. While Weaver poses a stern test, Sivasangari will be confident against Fayrouz and Satomi, having enjoyed previous success against both. She opens her campaign against Weaver on Monday, followed by Fayrouz on Tuesday and Satomi on Wednesday. Sivasangari has played Weaver seven times, winning just once in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Cup in February, which she went on to win. She also beat Fayrouz twice last year and saw off Satomi in the third round of the recent British Open. National coach Ajaz Azmat believes the redraw will likely work in Sivasangari's favour. "She'll face a tough match against Weaver, but she should be able to get past Fayrouz and Satomi to finish in the top two," said Ajaz.
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Debutante Sivasangari ready to punch above weight at PSA Finals
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 8 S. Sivasangari is eyeing a major breakthrough in her debut at the PSA World Tour Finals in Toronto next week after landing a decent group draw. The 26-year-old, who won the recent Cincinnati Cup and trains under French legend Gregory Gaultier in Prague, will be up against world No.1 Nouran Gohar (Egypt), No.4 Olivia Weaver (the United States) and No.7 Satomi Watanabe (Japan) in Group A. The season-ending tournament, featuring the world's top eight players, takes place from June 22-27. The top two players from each group will progress to the semi-finals. Group B consists of world champion and world No. 2 Nour El Sherbini (Egypt), No. 5 Amina Orfi (Egypt), No. 6 Tinne Gilis (Belgium), and No. 9 Amanda Sobhy (US). While Gohar has proved to be a tough nut to crack. Sivasangari has lost all four of their meetings, including in the Grasshopper Cup final in April. She has won once in seven meetings against Weaver and defeated Satomi at the recent British Open. National coach Ajaz Azmat believes the Asian champion is in the best shape mentally and physically ahead of the tournament. "She's training well, focused on quality over quantity, and looking sharp," said Ajaz. "The best-of-three format suits her, and she's confident about her chances against Satomi and Weaver." Ajaz added that her qualification marks a proud moment for Malaysian squash. "It's a huge honour for Sivasangari and for Malaysia to have a player in the PSA Finals again. The last was Datuk Nicol David, who won the title in 2011 and 2012."
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sivasangari up to No. 8, Eain Yow slips to No. 11 in world rankings
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari has climbed one spot to No. 8 in the latest PSA women's world squash rankings, released on Monday. The Asian champion earned the bump thanks to her quarter-final run at last week's World Championships in Chicago, where she claimed a notable scalp by ousting home favourite Amanda Sobhy. The American subsequently slipped from No. 8 to No. 10. Sivasangari, 26, had previously reached a career-high of world No. 7 after winning the Cincinnati Cup in February. Compatriot Rachel Arnold held firm at No. 19, while the Azman sisters — Aira and Aifa — also maintained their rankings at No. 26 and No. 38 respectively. Ainaa Amani remained at No. 48, but US-based Yee Xing Ying moved up four spots to a career-best No. 60. In the men's rankings, Ng Eain Yow slipped one place to No. 11 after bowing out in the third round in Chicago to world No. 1 Mostafa Asal of Egypt.
