Malaysia’s top female squash player, S. Sivasangari, made a commanding start at the El Gouna International Squash Open 2025, securing a swift victory over fellow Malaysian Aira Azman in just 17 minutes to advance to the second round.
World No. 11 S. Sivasangari delivered a dominant performance in her opening match at the El Gouna Squash Complex, sweeping past world No. 30 Aira Azman with scores of 11-4, 11-5, 11-3.
The win marks Sivasangari’s third consecutive triumph over Aira, following earlier victories at the 2023 Tuanku Muhriz Trophy and the 2025 New Zealand Open. With this latest victory, Sivasangari continues to assert her position as Malaysia’s top female squash player while maintaining a strong psychological advantage over her compatriot.
Seeded seventh in the tournament, S. Sivasangari is set to face Egypt’s Salma Hany in the upcoming round. Hany, a seasoned competitor, booked her spot in the second round after defeating Belgium’s Nele Gilis-Coll in a solid opening performance. The clash between Sivasangari and Hany promises to be an exciting encounter.
Sivasangari has previously gotten the better of Salma at the 2022 edition of the El Gouna International. Fellow Malaysian women’s squash player Rachel Arnold also progressed to the second round, edging past Egypt’s Zeina Mickawy in a grueling 50-minute battle. Arnold clinched the victory with a scoreline of 11-5, 11-8, 11-13, 10-12, 11-5.
Rachel will now take on fourth seed Olivia Weaver of the United States in the next round, with a spot in the quarter-finals up for grabs.
With both S. Sivasangari and Rachel Arnold advancing to the second round, Malaysia continues to make a strong impression at the El Gouna International Squash Open 2025.
Source: Bernama
