PETALING JAYA: National squash ace S. Sivasangari came agonisingly close to reaching the Windy City Open semi-finals but was once again stopped by training partner Nour El Sherbini of Egypt in Chicago.
Both players train under former French world champion Gregory Gaultier in the Czech Republic, and that familiarity made for a gruelling contest.
World No. 5 El Sherbini eventually prevailed 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8 to deny world No. 6 Sivasangari in the quarter-finals after a punishing 52-minute battle at the University Club of Chicago.
“It’s never easy playing Sivasangari,” said defending champion El Sherbini.
“She’s been playing amazingly this week, and we train together, so we know each other’s game very well and the same style of play.
“It wasn’t comfortable on court, but I just tried to push every point, and a win is a win. I’m just happy to be through, it’s a huge boost for me.”
El Sherbini was quick to get the lead in the first set, but Sivasangari stayed strong to equalise in the second. The next two sets followed the same pattern, but mistakes in the final set proved costly for Sivasangari.
She squandered a 4-1 lead, and El Sherbini had been in that position many times and used the experience to fight her way back.
“Being 4-1 down in the fifth is a long way to come back, but I tried to think point by point, which calmed me down,” said El Sherbini, who has beaten the Malaysian four times out of their five meetings.
Sivasangari’s next tournament will be at the Australian Open from March 10-15.
QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS
Women: Nour El Sherbini (Egy) bt S. Sivasangari (Mas) 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8; Hania El Hammamy (Egy) bt Tinne Gilis (Bel) 11-8, 11-8, 11-9.
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