National squash star S. Sivasangari’s journey at the 2024/2025 PSA Squash Tour Finals came to an early end, following her second straight loss in Group B yesterday. The defeat ended her hopes of advancing to the semi-finals, despite a strong effort on court.
The 26-year-old put up a strong fight but was narrowly defeated by Egypt’s Fayrouz Aboelkheir in a tightly contested 41-minute match at the Revival Film Studio in Toronto. Sivasangari started off well, clinching the first game 11-10, but couldn’t sustain her rhythm as she lost the following two games 9-11 and 7-11.
This latest setback follows Sivasangari’s opening-day match against second seed Olivia Weaver of the United States, where she struggled to find her footing and fell in straight games, 9-11, 9-11. Despite putting up a determined fight in both sets, she was unable to break through Weaver’s consistent play, leaving her with two consecutive losses in the group stage and ending her campaign earlier than hoped.
Weaver maintained her strong form in Group B with another victory, defeating Japan’s Satomi Watanabe 3-11, 11-6, 11-6 in a 31-minute match. The race for the second semi-final spot in Group B remains wide open, as both Watanabe and Aboelkheir have secured one win each heading into today’s decisive final group match.
The PSA Tour Finals brings together the world’s top eight players, who are split into two groups. Only the top two performers from each group will advance to the semi-final stage.
As the 2024/2025 PSA Squash Tour Finals progress, the competition remains fierce, with the remaining players battling for a coveted spot in the semi-finals. While Sivasangari’s campaign has come to an end, her presence among the world’s elite is a testament to her talent and determination. With her continued growth and experience on the international stage, she remains a key figure in Malaysian squash, and fans will undoubtedly look forward to her future performances.
Source: Malay Mail
