Sivasangari passes elite test despite final defeat in Paris

PETALING JAYA: National squash player S. Sivasangari has shown she belongs among the top players after producing a breakthrough run at the PSA Squash Tour Finals in France.

The world No. 5 saw her historic campaign end just short of glory after falling to world No. 1 Hania El Hammamy of Egypt 11-6, 10-11, 11-8, 11-8 in a gripping 54-minute final at Cenquatre-Paris.

Despite the loss, Sivasangari can take pride in her performance after becoming the second Malaysian to reach the final of the Tour Finals since Datuk Nicol David in 2012.

The 27-year-old kept her spirits up despite the defeat, knowing she has made leaps and bounds in her game since walking away without a win.

“It’s not the finish we hoped for, but I enjoyed every moment competing against the best in the world in the Paris heat in front of an incredible crowd,” said Sivasangari.

“I’m grateful for my team, sponsors, and family for their constant support and belief through it all.”

In the semi-finals, she produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by defeating world No. 2 Amina Orfi of Egypt.

The Kedah-born player can look back at a strong season after she won the Australian Open in March and the Grasshopper Cup in Zurich in April.

Meanwhile, in the men’s category, world No. 3 Diego Elias of Peru became the first South American player to win the Tour Finals after coming from behind to beat world No. 2 Paul Coll of New Zealand 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9 in the final.