PETALING JAYA: National squash ace S. Sivasangari’s (pic) bid for another title at the China Open has received a major boost following the withdrawal of several top players ahead of the tournament, which begins on Tuesday.
Defending champion and world No. 1 Amina Orfi of Egypt was initially slated to be the top seed, but pulled out of the gold-level event due to injury.
World No. 2 Egyptian Hania El Hammamy also withdrew following an ankle injury she picked up during the US Open last week.
World No. 4 Sivasangari will now hope to live up to her top billing in Shanghai and add another gold title after winning the Silicon Valley Open in California last month.
Receiving a first-round bye, Sivasangari is scheduled to start her campaign either against Egyptians Malak Khafagy or Haya Ali.
The Kedah-born Sivasangari could then potentially meet compatriot Aira Azman in the quarter-finals, given Aira defeats eighth seed Farida Mohamed of Egypt in the second round.
Meanwhile, Aifa Azman, who is now at a career-high world No. 19, starts her run against Ukraine’s Alina Bushma before setting up a clash against fourth seed Salma Hany of Egypt.
World No. 59 Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi will also be competing in Shanghai and faces Egyptian Kenzy Ayman in the opening round.
In the men’s draw, world No. 17 Ng Eain Yow has been seeded seventh and will receive a first-round bye.
He is set to face either home favourite and wildcard Li Haizhen or Frenchman Melvil Scianimanico in the second round.
Eain Yow, who won the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and booked his Los Angeles Olympics ticket alongside Sivasangari in September, has failed to reach the quarter-finals of two tournaments since then.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
