Malaysia’s top squash player S. Sivasangari has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 British Open, following a hard-fought five-game triumph over Japan’s Satomi Watanabe in Birmingham on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Malaysian showcased exceptional determination and mental strength to overcome seventh seed Satomi Watanabe in a gripping five-game battle. Sivasangari edged out her opponent with scores of 11-9, 11-9, 4-11, 4-11, 11-4 in a fiercely contested match that lasted just over an hour, demonstrating both her skill and stamina on the court.
Ranked 24th in the world, S. Sivasangari got off to an impressive start, securing the first two games with confident and composed play. However, her opponent, Satomi Watanabe, mounted a strong comeback, showing her experience and grit by winning the next two games to bring the match to an intense decider.
Despite the momentum shifting in her opponent’s favour, the Kedah-born Sivasangari remained unfazed and found her rhythm again in the decisive fifth game. Showing renewed focus and determination, she took control early and dominated the court, leaving Watanabe with little room to respond. Her commanding performance in the final game sealed a well-deserved spot in the quarter-finals.
In the next stage of the tournament, Sivasangari is set to take on Egypt’s Amina Orfi, the fourth seed and a formidable opponent. As she advances to the quarter-finals, the Malaysian star remains focused on her goal of reaching the semi-finals of this prestigious British Open, where each match presents both a challenge and an opportunity to make history.
Source: Malay Mail
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