Sivasangari won’t take opponents lightly in quest for national crown

PETALING JAYA: Despite her fiery run on the global circuit, top professional S. Sivasangari is not taking the local challengers for granted as she chases her first title at the National Squash Championships starting today.

Sivasangari, fresh from reaching the quarter-finals of the PSA (Professional Squash Circuit) World Tour Finals platinum event – the El Gouna International, will be the player to beat at the National Championships at the National Squash Centre.

However, the competition is likely to be keen with fellow professionals Rachel Arnold, the world No. 37, and Aifa Azman, the world No. 28, also aiming for their first title in the championships.

“I’m glad to be home and there is a lot of pressure playing in this tournament. Aifa and Rachel have been playing well and some juniors are also coming up. I don’t want to be overconfident and will take one match at a time,” said the world No. 19.

“When I was a junior, I played without any pressure but now the pressure will be on me playing these rising talents.

“It’s never easy to play Aifa and Rachel. We are friends but it’s a different ball game once we are on court.

“I just need to be focused and try to win the title.”

In the 2020 final, Low Wee Wern defeated Sivasangari for the title.

Sivasangari is expected to meet Rachel in the last four while an Aifa-Chan Yiwen semi-final clash is on the cards.

Eain Yow, ranked world No. 23, will be aiming to end Ivan Yuen’s super run in the local tournament this time.

Ivan secured his fourth title by beating Eain Yow in 2020.

“Going into every tournament, I’ve always given my best and I’m fully prepared for it. Ivan and I are seeded to meet in the final but we are also expecting the younger players to give the seniors a run for their money,” said Eain Yow. Eain Yow is set to meet Syafiq Kamal while Ivan is expected to meet Addeen Idrakie in their respective semi-final clashes.