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PETALING JAYA: A year can make all the difference for national squash player S. Sivasangari at the PSA Squash Tour Finals.

From not winning a single group match at last year’s edition, Sivasangari ended Malaysia’s 14-year wait for a finalist in spectacular fashion after she defeated Egypt’s Amina Orfi in the semi-final in France on Friday.

World No. 5 Sivasangari produced a remarkable comeback to win 8-11, 11-10, 11-8, 11-10 against top seed Amina at the Cenquatre-Paris and enter the final of the season-ending tournament.

In doing so, Sivasangari became the first Malaysian to reach the Tour Finals since Datuk Nicol David in 2012. Nicol lifted the title after beating England’s Laura Massaro.

Sivasangari said the win comes as a major morale boost after a disappointing run at the British Open earlier this month saw her exit in the third round.

Spectacular show: S. Sivasangari celebrating after her semi-final win over Egypt’s Amina Orfi. — PSA Squash Tour

“The win means a lot to me. This is my second Squash Tour Finals and last year I lost all my matches,” said Sivasangari.

“After the British Open, I was disappointed with my performance and I didn’t feel like myself.

“I want to end the season on a good note, and I’m happy to have beaten Amina.”

At the same time, Sivasangari had praise for 18-year-old Amina, who had her blazing run after winning the World Champion­ships and British Open cut short by the Malaysian.

Amina had not lost on Tour since her defeat to Sivasangari at the Grasshopper Cup in Zurich in April, racking up 12 straight wins before Sivasangari once again claimed victory.

Sivasangari has now beaten Orfi three times in 10 meetings.

“She’s (Amina) furious, determined, and doesn’t give away anything. I tried to stay positive and as consistent as I could and not drop off.

“A year ago it was up and down, but I’m trying to stay as consistent as I can. There are still errors here and there but I think I did well in the crucial moments.”

Sivasangari will face world No. 1 Hania El Hammamy in the final after the Egyptian took down compatriot Fayrouz Aboelkheir 11-10, 11-8, 11-8.

Sivasangari has only beaten Hania twice in 10 meetings, with Hania taking the last four wins consecutively.

Their most recent meeting came at the World Cham­pionships quarter-finals in Giza.