MANCHESTER: There is no doubt that national squash player S. Sivasangari has regained her confidence following a car accident last year, and is making inroads towards the elite ranks.
The 24-year-old, who was sidelined for several months by the mishap, scored her best win since her comeback when she beat fifth seed Rowan Elaraby of Egypt in the second round of the Manchester Open on Thursday,
Now ranked 40 in the world, Sivasangari was brimming with confidence as she scored a convincing 11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9 win over world No 11 Rowan.
It was certainly sweet revenge for the Kedahan who was beaten by Rowan in the second round of the World Championships a fortnight ago.
The US-based Sivasangari played flowing attacking squash from the start, forcing Rowan into several errors before taking the first game 11-9.
She lost control a little in the second game but managed to save three gameballs from 7-10 down to take the second game 12-10.
Rowan pulled one back by taking the fourth 11-9. But there was no denying Sivasangari as she stayed consistent to claim a much needed win after 42 minutes.
"I played Rowan in this same venue in 2021 and got a win," said Sivasangari.
"Having lost to her at the world meet in Chicago two weeks ago, I was more prepared this time.
"When we played at the world meet, the court was different and I had a different game plan then.
"This time the court was more suited to me and I'm happy to win especially since Rowan is a fighter on court."
Sivasangari will meet third seed Nour El Tayeb in the quarter-finals.
There was also another huge upset with Japan's Satomi Watanabe, the world No 19 scoring a sensational 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9 win over home favourite and fourth seed Sarah-Jane Perry.
