Sivasangari ends 8-year wait for Malaysia at World Championships
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari has become the first Malaysian squash player to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championships since Datuk Nicol David in 2017.
The world No. 9 produced a stunning display in Chicago on Tuesday, brushing aside American world No. 8 Amanda Sobhy 11-8, 14-12, 11-6 in just 32 minutes in the third round.
It was the Malaysian's third win in five meetings against Sobhy, having also beaten her in five games at the Cincinnati Cup final in February.
However, it was the end of the road for men's world No. 10 Ng Eain Yow, who was swept aside 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 by Egyptian world No. 1 Mostafa Asal in his third-round clash.
Sivasangari will take on world No. 4 Olivia Weaver of the United States for a place in the semi-finals on Thursday (May 15).
The 34-year-old Weaver earned her spot with an 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4 win over Egypt's world No. 12 Salma Hany in 47 minutes.
Weaver holds a strong 5-1 head-to-head record against Sivasangari, but the Malaysian won their most recent meeting in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Cup.
Speaking after her win over Sobhy, Sivasangari said: "The last two times played against her, the score was 3-2, and I won the last one.
"She's a fighter, and I'm really pleased to win in three.
"That reaction (celebrating after clinching the winning point) showed how much it means to me.
"I've never made the quarters at the World Championships.
"I barely even reach the quarters of Platinum events. I'm really pleased and happy with how I performed today," she told the PSA World Tour.
Meanwhile, Asal was full of praise for Eain Yow, despite winning in three games.
"Eain Yow is a fantastic player. His country should be proud of him after breaking into the world's top 10," said Asal.
"He was really tight today, and it was a good match. I'm ready for the next challenge."
Asal will face compatriot and fifth seed Tarek Momen in the quarter-finals on Wednesday (May 14).
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