Extra rest a big boost as Sivasangari prepares for quarter-final showdown

PETALING JAYA: National squash player S. Sivasangari (pic) was handed an extended break at the El Gouna International after advancing to the quarter-finals via a walkover following the withdrawal of opponent Mariam Metwally of Egypt.

Fifth seed Sivasangari was set to take on Mariam today at the El Gouna Squash Complex, but the home player pulled out after her father passed away on Saturday.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) confirmed Mariam’s withdrawal from the platinum-level tournament and shared their condolences to the world No. 33 player.

“Due to personal circumstances, Mariam Metwally has withdrawn from the El Gouna International.

“Everyone at the PSA sends out heartfelt thoughts and condolences to Mariam and her family at this difficult time,” they said.

It would have been Sivasangari’s second meeting with Mariam on court, a long time since their first at the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup in 2018, where Mariam took the win.

Sivasangari started her run in El Gouna strong, taking down home player Nada Abbas 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6 in the opening round on Saturday.

Sivasangari will have to wait until Wednesday to play her quarter-final match against either second seed Nour El Sherbini of Egypt or France’s Melissa Alves.

However, the journey ended early for Aifa Azman and Rachel Arnold after they bowed out in the opening round.

Aifa fell 6-11, 9-11, 6-11, to England’s Jasmine Hutton, while Rachel lost to Egypt’s Sana Ibrahim 9-11, 2-11, 8-11.

Meanwhile in the men’s category, world No. 18 Ng Eain Yow faces a steep challenge in his second-round match as he takes on second seed Paul Coll of New Zealand today.

Coll has the upper hand, winning 10 of their previous 11 meetings.

Eain Yow’s first-round match saw him win against Egypt’s Seif Refaay, who withdrew in the third set while Eain Yow was leading 4-11, 11-4, 3-0.