Sivasangari’s fine run helps her return to world No. 8

PETALING JAYA: A valiant run at the World Championships in Chicago has earned national squash player S. Sivasangari a bump up in the rankings as she returned to world No. 8.

The 26-year-old had her best performance ever at the world meet last week when she made it to the quarter-finals for the first time after defeating American favourite Amanda Sobhy in straight games before losing to world No. 4 American Olivia Weaver.

The Kedah-born player became the first Malaysian in eight years to enter the World Championships quarter-finals since Datuk Nicol David did in 2017.

Sivasangari had reached her career-high ranking of No. 7 in February when she also defeated Sobhy in the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup final.

Sivasangari isn’t far behind world No. 7 Georgina Kennedy of England, who has 752 points compared to Sivasangari’s 701 points.

In the men’s world rankings, Ng Eain Yow dropped a spot as he sits just outside the top 10 in No. 11.

Eain Yow had a good run in Chicago as well, equalling his best result at the tournament by making it to the third round before losing to world No. 1 and eventual champion Mostafa Asal of Egypt.

The 27-year-old had reached his career-best ranking of No. 10 last month, but has now given up the spot to Egypt’s Youssef Soliman, who is ahead by just eight points.

FINAL RESULTS

Men: Mostafa Asal (Egy) bt Ali Farag (Egy) 11-7, 11-8, 11-3.

Women: Nour El Sherbini (Egy) bt Hania El Hammamy (Egy) 11-5, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7.