Sivasangari has new plan up her sleeves to enter Malaysia Cup final

Quick reflexes: S. Sivasangari (left) returning a shot to Aifa Azman during the Ace Malaysia Cup quarter-final match. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star

PETALING JAYA: It’s going to be a different style of play for national top squash player S. Sivasangari when she takes on Scotland’s Georgia Adderley in the Ace Malaysia Cup semi-finals today.

World No. 9 Sivasangari continued her flawless run at The Curve Mall when she won 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 against compatriot Aifa Azman in the quarter-finals yesterday.

Having played Adderley recently at the China Open quarter-finals earlier this month, Sivasangari is aware of the No. 28 player’s speed and physicality on court, which would be different from the style against Aifa yesterday.

“I played Adderley recently and she’s a tough opponent who runs a lot and picks up many shots.

“I think it would be a completely different game to the previous match with Aifa because it was faster and Aifa’s more of a shot maker.

“With Adderley, I think there would be more lengthy rallies so I just need to prepare well for it. I have a plan,” she said.

The 25-year-old added that she has been working on her physical strength as well, and believes she has it in her to get past Adderley once again.

“I won in four sets against Adderley previously, hopefully, I can look back at that match and come up with a better game plan.

“I’ve also been working hard and I believe in myself that I’m physically fit, maybe even fitter than her,” she said.

Currently based in the United States, Sivasangari is enjoying her time playing at home but admitted that the pressure of being top seed on home ground had caused some nerves at the start of yesterday’s match with Aifa. “There’s always pressure on the higher seeds and when you’re playing against a teammate.

“But I really wanted to win and show that I’m still the national number one.

“Aifa is a very good player and we all know there are a couple of Malaysians out there who are playing well,” she said.

Adderley earned her spot in the semi-finals today after defeating Aifa’s younger sister, Aira Azman, in a long-winded 11-4, 11-7, 11-13, 11-7 victory yesterday.It was also a good day as Rachel Arnold, who ended last year’s edition as runners up, earned her spot in the semi-finals after defeating England’s Katie Maliff 3-11, 11-2, 13-11, 13-11.

Rachel will now face Egypt’s Amina Orfi, who won against fellow Egyptian Kenzy Ayman 11-6, 11-2, 11-5 yesterday.