Sangari glad to rediscover her form after making semi-finals

PETALING JAYA: National squash player S. Sivasangari is glad to find her rhythm once again at the PSA Squash Tour Finals after a disappointing run at the British Open earlier this month.

World No. 5 Sivasangari stormed into the semi-finals of the season-ending tournament after beating Japan’s world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 at the Cenquatre-Paris in France on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old admitted that she was not pleased with her previous outing at the British Open after bowing out in the third round, but getting a win in France has reinstated her confidence.

“I didn’t perform too well at the British Open, but I’m happy I could back myself here and play well again,” she said.

The Malaysian has now won eight of the nine previous meetings against Watanabe. The Japanese player’s only win came at the Tour Finals last year.

“I’ve had a lot of battles with Satomi since we were 10 years old. We grew up playing together in Asia, and now we’re playing at the PSA Squash Tour Finals amongst the top eight players in the world.

“I’m happy for her and we always have good battles; it’s always fair and it’s always a good match,” she said.

Sivasangari faces a stern test in the semi-finals as she meets Egypt’s rising star in Amina Orfi, who defeated Belgium’s Tinne Gilis 11-1, 11-8, 6-11, 11-5 in her opening round match.