KUALA LUMPUR: National No. 1 S. Sivasangari showcased a spectacular display of power and grit to upset world No. 18 Amina Orfi to claim the bronze-level Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) Open crown today.
World No. 22 Sivasangari defeated the 16-year-old Egyptian 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 in 38 minutes, marking her biggest-career win on the PSA Tour.
With the victory, the Kedah-born squash player is expected to break into the top 20 of the women's world rankings next week.
Sivasangari has had an exceptional year, securing the Tuanku Muhriz Trophy event in Negri Sembilan in August and clinching two gold medals for Malaysia at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September.
Sivasangari said: "I am just feeling really happy right now. It is my biggest title to date.
"Amina played a fast game, but I managed to break her rhythm during the match.
"I controlled the match and did not allow the Egyptian to dictate the pace. I am just happy to win the title without dropping a game in the final."
Sivasangari hopes to regain her former self, which saw her climb the world rankings to No. 16 before a road accident last year.
"I am a bit emotional after what happened to me last year (road accident). I just want to scream whenever I win a tournament.
"Deep down, I am really proud of how far I have progressed in tournaments since returning to the tour after the accident," said Sivasangari,
She upset three higher-ranked players en route to the title in Hong Kong, defeating world No. 15 Sabrina Sobhy of the United States in the quarter-finals and world No. 12 Sarah Jane Perry of England in the semi-finals.
Sivasangari will return to the court on Tuesday to play in the Hong Kong Open.
Meanwhile, world No. 21 Ng Eain Yow fell short of securing his first title on the tour this year after losing in the men's final.
The Malaysian lost 11-6, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7 to world No. 19 Aly Abou Eleinen of Egypt.
Nonetheless, it was still a memorable outing for Eain Yow, who upset world No. 16 and top seed Mohamed El Sherbini of Egypt in straight sets in the semi-finals.
