Sivasangari has her work cut out after semi-final defeat

PETALING JAYA: National squash player S. Sivasangari’s gallant run in the Cincinnati Gaynor Open has ended but she can still walk tall.

The world No. 26 went down fighting 11-4, 3-11, 11-6, 16-18, 9-11 to world No. 11 Olivia Fiechter of the United States in a thrilling semi-final match on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Sivasangari got off to a fiery start by pulling off an 11-4 victory in the first set but Fietcher, equally determined, bounced back to take the second set with an 11-3 win.

Undeterred by the fightback, Sivasangari kept her focus to get back into the driving seat with a 11-6 win but missed the chance to reach the final after losing narrowly in the next two sets.

Fiechter will face world No. 2 Nouran Gohar of Egypt, who beat world No. 10 Georgina Kennedy of England 11-6, 11-3, 11-2 in the other semi-final.

Despite a convincing start in 2022, Sivasangari feels sad that she could not go all the way to the final.

“I am a little disappointed that I could not take the win but quite pleased with my performance overall this week,” said Sivasangari.

“Olivia has been playing well and is a fighter. I did play my game but needed to be more patient during the crucial stages.

“This is my first tournament this year, and I am quite happy with my results. It’s tough being in college and balancing it with squash, but the results so far have given me the assurance that I’m on the right path.

“This outing has made me believe in myself more.”

Next up, Sivasangari will play in the College Squash Association for Cornell University. Then, she will get ready for the Squash on Fire Open, starting Feb 16 in Washington.

She will take on world No. 21 Nada Abbas of Egypt in the first round.

“I’ve some work to improve my game. I’ll be out to get those wins against top players again.”

SEMI-FINAL RESULTS

Nouran Gohar (Egy) bt Georgina Kennedy (Eng) 11-6, 11-3, 11-2; Olivia Fiechter (US) bt S. Sivasangari (Mas) 4-11, 11-3, 6-11, 18-16, 11-9.