Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) Open has witnessed breathtaking performances, with Malaysian squash sensation S. Sivasangari stealing the spotlight in the women’s category. In a stunning upset, the seventh seed triumphed over world No.15 Sabrina Sobhy to secure a coveted spot in the semi-finals.
Sivasangari showcased her prowess on the court, defeating Sobhy with a score line of 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7. Her stellar performance sets the stage for an intense semi-final clash against second seed Sarah Jane Perry of England, scheduled for tomorrow. Perry, a seasoned player at 33, booked her spot in the semi-finals after overcoming the challenge posed by fifth seed Melissa Alves of France. The match concluded with Perry emerging victorious, displaying resilience and skill with a score of 3-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8.
Meanwhile, the quarter-finals brought disappointment for Malaysia’s national No. 2, Rachel Arnold, whose impressive run in the tournament came to an end. Arnold, who had earlier upset eight seed Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt in the second round, faced a formidable opponent in the world junior champion Amina Orfi of Egypt. In a hard-fought battle, Arnold fought valiantly but succumbed to Orfi with a score of 11-8, 2-11, 12-14, 2-11.
The women’s semi-finals will witness a clash between Amina Orfi and top seed Georgina Kennedy of England. Kennedy secured her place in the semi-finals by defeating Tomato Ho of Hong Kong with a commanding score of 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.
In the men’s competition, national No. 1 Ng Eain Yow displayed resilience and skill to secure his place in the last four. Facing the sixth seed Gregoire Marche of France, Eain Yow fought hard for a comeback after dropping the first set, eventually sealing the victory with a score of 8-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-2. Eain Yow’s journey will culminate in a final showdown against top seed Mohamed El Sherbini of Egypt.
The HKFC Open has proven to be a thrilling battleground for squash enthusiasts, showcasing exceptional talent and competitive spirit. As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the intense semi-final and final matches that will determine this year’s champions in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Source: New Straits Times
