PETALING JAYA: Egypt’s Amina Orfi has been unstoppable on the Professional Squash Association Tour, but she knew an in-form S. Sivasangari would be no pushover at the US Open.
The 19-year-old world No. 1, however, made light work of the challenge, sweeping aside Sivasangari 11-8, 11-1, 11-8 to storm into the semi-finals of the platinum-level tournament in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Orfi, who has won all the last three tournaments she has contested, admitted she had expected a tough battle, especially after losing twice to the Malaysian earlier this year.
“I knew that she’s (Sivasangari) been playing well and she beat me twice earlier this year,” said Orfi.
“It’s always tough playing her, and she’s the first to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics. So she has confidence and momentum.
“It’s hard playing against a top four player in the quarters. She’s been beating top players and going to five with Hania (El Hammamy), so she’s dangerous.
“I told myself she could come back at any time and fire shots that are good. I stuck to my game plan and I’m glad I finished it in three sets.”
Sivasangari was the only player who had beaten Orfi in her previous 31 matches before their quarter-final match, having won their encounter at the PSA Squash Tour Finals semi-finals in June.
The Kedah-born Sivasangari has been on a hot run after winning the gold-level Silicon Valley Open last month.
World champion Orfi has won this year’s London Classic, Qatar Classic, and Egyptian Open, and will face compatriot and world No. 3 Nour El Sherbini in the semi-finals.
Sivasangari’s focus will shift to the China Open in Shanghai from Nov 17-22.
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