PETALING JAYA: National No. 1 squash player S. Sivasangari marked her birthday with a stylish win over world No. 26 Georgia Adderley of Scotland to enter the second round of the Tournament of Champions in New York.
Sivasangari, who turned 27 on Saturday (Jan 24), took just 28 minutes to beat Adderley of Scotland 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 on Friday.
The Malaysian, runner-up at the Karachi Open two weeks ago, will take on world No. 11 Amanda Sobhy of the United States on Saturday for a place in the quarter-finals.
The 32-year-old Sobhy advanced after dismissing Egypt's Zeina Mickawy 11-4, 11-3, 11-6.
Sivasangari has a 4-2 head-to-head record against Sobhy and will start as the favourite as she looks to make it three wins in a row over the American.
Sivasangari is the only Malaysian left in the women's competition as sisters Aira and Aifa Azman bowed out on Friday.
National champion Aira, who climbed to a career-high world No. 20 this week, went down 7-11, 8-11, 5-11 to world No. 21 Marina Stefanoni of US.
Aifa also exited early, losing 8-11, 3-11, 5-11 to world No. 14 Nele Gilis of Belgium in 34 minutes.
In the men's competition, world No. 16 Eain Yow made the second round after dispatching world No. 23 Curtis Malik of England 11-7, 11-3, 11-2.
He has a tough match ahead against world No. 10 Mohd Elshorbagy of Egypt next.
