KUALA LUMPUR: Asian champion S. Sivasangari ended her Egyptian jinx with a clinical win over world No.15 Nada Abbas to storm into the semi-finals of the Grasshopper Cup in Zurich on Friday.
The world No.11 Malaysian, who had lost to Egyptian opponents in her last three tournaments, needed just 15 minutes to seal a commanding 11-6, 11-3 victory.
It marked her first appearance in the Grasshopper Cup semi-finals and her third win over Abbas in four meetings.
Third seed Sivasangari, who claimed the Cincinnati Cup title in February, will now face Belgium’s world No.6 Tinne Gilis for a place in the final on Saturday.
Second seed Gilis booked her spot by beating Egypt’s seventh seed Salma Hany 11-9, 11-8 in 35 minutes.
Sivasangari, 26, has played Gilis twice before (2021 and 2022), with the head-to-head record standing at 1-1.
Speaking to PSA World Tour, Sivasangari said: “I came in well prepared today (Friday).
“I think the best-of-three goes a bit quick, so I had to start well from the first point.
“Nada’s a fighter, and she kept going even when she was down, so I had to stay calm even when I was leading.
“I’m just happy to be through to the next round.
“Inside I was a bit nervous, but I just tried to take the ball early and play my game.
“I didn’t want to follow her way of playing, and instead focused on my tactics and game plan, and it worked well.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
