Sivasangari could break into world’s top 20 by next month after New York feat

S. Sivasangari in action against Low Wee Wern during the Ohana 36th National Squah championship At Bukit Jalil yesterday. Low We Wern won 3-11,11-7,11-6,3-11,11-9 (October 11,2020).— S.S.KANESAN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: S. Sivasangari has once again demonstrated her ability to stand tall against the top professionals by reaching the Carol Weymuller Open final in New York on Sunday.

Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director of coaching Major (rtd) S. Maniam was pleased with Sivasangari’s performance and feels that she is on the right track to achieve consistent results on the world stage.

The Carol Weymuller Open is a bronze event of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour where Sivasangari reached the final as the sixth seed with wins over Marina Stefanoni of the United States (world No. 67), Hollie Naughton of Canada (No. 17) and Egyptian Farida Mohamed (No. 26) before eventually losing to world No. 8 and top seed Rowan Elaraby of Egypt in the final.

“To reach the final of a big event is outstanding,” said Maniam.

“The competition among the top 30 players has been quite open and they are beating each other regularly. Sivasangari has beaten several top 10 players and rarely loses to players who are ranked below the top 30.

“This shows she is showing progress and can keep pace with the top professionals.

“Sivasangari is quite focused on what she wants and is on the right track to achieve more,” said Maniam.

Among the top 10 players Sivasangari, ranked world No. 22, has beaten thus far are US player Amanda Sobhy (No. 4), Georgina Kennedy (No. 9) and her New York conqueror Elaraby on two previous occasions. She has also secured regular wins over a number of top 20 players.

There is a distinct possibility that the 23-year-old Sivasangari could break into the top 20 in next month’s world rankings based on her brilliant run in the Carol Weymuller Open.

Despite the final defeat, Sivasangari’s confidence will be high as she approaches the Tournament of Champions (TOC) in New York from May 1-7.

Sivasangari will face Enora Villard of France, whom the Malaysian beat in the first round of the British Open last month, in the first round.

Victory would pit her against fifth-seeded American Olivia Fiechter in the second round. Sivasagari can set up a possible rematch against Elaraby in the quarter-finals if she beats Fiechter.