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New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sivasangari up to No. 8, Eain Yow slips to No. 11 in world rankings
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari has climbed one spot to No. 8 in the latest PSA women's world squash rankings, released on Monday. The Asian champion earned the bump thanks to her quarter-final run at last week's World Championships in Chicago, where she claimed a notable scalp by ousting home favourite Amanda Sobhy. The American subsequently slipped from No. 8 to No. 10. Sivasangari, 26, had previously reached a career-high of world No. 7 after winning the Cincinnati Cup in February. Compatriot Rachel Arnold held firm at No. 19, while the Azman sisters — Aira and Aifa — also maintained their rankings at No. 26 and No. 38 respectively. Ainaa Amani remained at No. 48, but US-based Yee Xing Ying moved up four spots to a career-best No. 60. In the men's rankings, Ng Eain Yow slipped one place to No. 11 after bowing out in the third round in Chicago to world No. 1 Mostafa Asal of Egypt.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sivasangari's semi-final hopes dashed by Weaver at World Championships
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari came up short in her bid to reach the semi-finals of the World Championships in Chicago on Thursday. The world No. 9, who stunned world No. 8 Amanda Sobhy of the United States in the third round on Wednesday, lost 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5 to American world No. 4 Olivia Weaver in 41 minutes. It was the 25-year-old Malaysian's sixth defeat in seven meetings with the 34-year-old Weaver. Many had tipped Sivasangari to overcome Weaver and become the first Malaysian to reach the semi-finals since Datuk Nicol David won the title in 2014. Confidence was high after she beat Weaver in their last encounter at the Cincinnati Cup semi-finals. But Sivasangari couldn't find the consistency or firepower needed to get past the experienced American this time. National coach Ajaz Azmat praised the Kedah-born player for achieving her goal of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time. "It was unfortunate she couldn't reach the semis," said Ajaz. "She didn't have a good start in the first game and couldn't build momentum. "She fought hard to take the second, but it was difficult for her to maintain consistency in the remaining games. "Sivasangari needs to continue working hard and focus on improving her consistency. "She's making good progress under former world champion Gregory Gaultier in Prague, and we expect her to put up a stronger challenge at the British Open in Birmingham on May 31-June 8." Weaver, meanwhile, admitted she had to make tactical changes after her previous defeat to Sivasangari. "There's always something unexpected in matches like these, but we prepared really well," said Weaver. "Sivasangari has been playing incredibly well. She beat me last time in Cincinnati and has been in great form. "I was pleased with the adjustments I made. She's incredibly skilful - you have to avoid the middle of the court to beat her, and I managed to do that. I'm pleased with the win," she told PSA Squash Tour.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Sivasangari ends Malaysia's 8-year World Champs drought
NATIONAL squash ace S. Sivasangari has blazed a trail into the quarter-finals of the World Championships, becoming the first Malaysian to achieve the feat since the legendary Datuk Nicol David in 2017. The world No. 9 delivered a masterclass in Chicago on Tuesday, dismantling American world No. 8 Amanda Sobhy 11-8, 14-12, 11-6 in just 32 minutes during their third-round clash. ALSO READ: Sivasangari, Eain Yow storm into finals on different shores It marked her third win over Sobhy in five meetings, including a hard-fought five-game victory in the Cincinnati Cup final earlier this year. '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,' Sivasangari told New Straits Times. '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.' The 25-year-old Malaysian will next face world No. 4 Olivia Weaver of the United States on Thursday (May 15) for a place in the semi-finals. Weaver, 34, secured her quarter-final berth with a 3-1 win over Egypt's Salma Hany, prevailing 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4 in 47 minutes. Despite holding a 5-1 advantage over Sivasangari, Weaver lost their most recent encounter at the Cincinnati Cup semi-finals. On the men's side, Malaysian No. 1 Ng Eain Yow's campaign came to an end after falling to Egyptian world No. 1 Mostafa Asal in straight games — 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 — in the third round. 'Eain Yow is a fantastic player. His country should be proud of him after breaking into the world's top 10. 'He was really tight today, and it was a good match. I'm ready for the next challenge,' said Asal. Asal is set to face fellow Egyptian and fifth seed Tarek Momen in the quarter-finals on Wednesday (May 14).
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Sivasangari smashes history – ends Malaysia's 8-year World Champs drought
NATIONAL squash ace S. Sivasangari has blazed a trail into the quarter-finals of the World Championships, becoming the first Malaysian to achieve the feat since the legendary Datuk Nicol David in 2017. The world No. 9 delivered a masterclass in Chicago on Tuesday, dismantling American world No. 8 Amanda Sobhy 11-8, 14-12, 11-6 in just 32 minutes during their third-round clash. ALSO READ: Sivasangari, Eain Yow storm into finals on different shores It marked her third win over Sobhy in five meetings, including a hard-fought five-game victory in the Cincinnati Cup final earlier this year. '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,' Sivasangari told New Straits Times. '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.' The 25-year-old Malaysian will next face world No. 4 Olivia Weaver of the United States on Thursday (May 15) for a place in the semi-finals. Weaver, 34, secured her quarter-final berth with a 3-1 win over Egypt's Salma Hany, prevailing 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4 in 47 minutes. Despite holding a 5-1 advantage over Sivasangari, Weaver lost their most recent encounter at the Cincinnati Cup semi-finals. On the men's side, Malaysian No. 1 Ng Eain Yow's campaign came to an end after falling to Egyptian world No. 1 Mostafa Asal in straight games — 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 — in the third round. 'Eain Yow is a fantastic player. His country should be proud of him after breaking into the world's top 10. 'He was really tight today, and it was a good match. I'm ready for the next challenge,' said Asal. Asal is set to face fellow Egyptian and fifth seed Tarek Momen in the quarter-finals on Wednesday (May 14).
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
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).
