AdminMalaysia’s squash prodigy, Sivasangari Subramaniam, secured her most significant title to date at The Hong Kong Football Club Open. The tournament witnessed Egypt‘s Aly Abou Eleinen and Malaysia’s squash sensation Sivasangari Subramaniam emerged as champions in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
World No.19 Eleinen set the stage for an electrifying finals day, starting brightly and capturing his maiden PSA World Tour title. The Egyptian player showcased superb squash skills to oust men’s No.3 seed Eain Yow Ng in a thrilling encounter. The match saw intense exchanges, with Eleinen ultimately securing victory by an 11-6, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7 scoreline.
Rising to the challenge
In the women’s category, Sivasangari’s quest to claim her 13th tour title was nothing short of spectacular. The world No.22 continued her remarkable journey through the tournament, facing and overcoming challenges from higher-seeded players, including No.3 seed Sabrina Sobhy and No.2 seed Sarah-Jane Perry. This impressive run set the stage for a captivating showdown with the talented 16-year-old Orfi in the final.
The Malaysian squash sensation exhibited a game plan that showcased her deep understanding of her opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. From the onset, Sivasangari implemented a strategy to disrupt Orfi’s rhythm by taking the pace away from her. Using a combination of precise angles and strategic shots to the front wall, Sivasangari controlled the tempo of the match, forcing Orfi to adapt to her strategic finesse.
Despite Orfi’s reputation for powerful hitting and superb length, Sivasangari’s sublime racket work and ability to mix up her shots proved decisive. The final match unfolded with swift precision, lasting only 39 minutes, as Sivasangari secured victory with an 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 scoreline. The Malaysian’s exceptional performance left an indelible mark on the tournament, highlighting her strategic brilliance and unmatched skills on the court.
Sivasangari’s emotional victory
Reflecting on her triumph, Sivasangari expressed her joy, stating, “I’m really, really happy. Throughout this week I have played really well, and as I have progressed through each match I have played better and better.”
“Orfi plays a really fast pace and hits the ball really hard most of the time, so for me I know that I can’t keep up with that pace, so I just tried to break it down a bit, slow the match down and mix it up,” she explained.
The victory holds special significance for Sivasangari, who alluded to the challenges she faced in the past year. “After everything that happened last year, I want to celebrate and I want to scream sometimes. Deep down I’m just really proud of how far I have come, and I just hope to keep going.”
Sivasangari’s triumph at the Hong Kong Football Club Open marks a milestone in her career, underscoring her status as a rising star in the world of squash. The Hong Kong Football Club Open title not only adds another feather to Sivasangari’s cap but also sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting future for Malaysian squash.
