KUALA LUMPUR: Squash ace S. Sivasangari is down but not out. And the Asian champion's coaches are working on getting her back on her feet.
World No. 13 Sivasangari had a reality check after losing to Egypt's world No. 3 Nouran Gohar in the second round of the El Gouna championships in Egypt last week.
The Kedahan had gone to El Gouna on a high after winning the London Classics earlier this month by scalping Egypt's world No. 1 Nour El Sherbini and world No. 2 Hania El Hammamy and Belgium's world No. 4 Nele Gilis.
But at El Gouna, Sivasangari couldn't repeat her "London form" as she fell to Nouran's pace and aggression.
National chief coach Ajaz Azmat said there is no reason to be alarmed after Sivasangari's setback.
"It happens in matches. There is no pressure on her. Sivasangari just needs to reset her mind and focus on the next assignment, the World Championships in Cairo next month."
Sivasangari will also play in the Manchester Open from May 22-26 and British Open in Birmingham from June 2-9.
Ajaz said he will discuss with Sivasangari's coach David Palmer on whether she will continue to train in Cornell, United States, or return to Malaysia to train with the national team.
"We need to think of other options that can help Sivasangari to be mentally stronger and ready for major tournaments in the next few months."
Meanwhile Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia director Major (rtd) S. Maniam said he was pleased with Aira Azman's stirring run in El Gouna.
Maniam said he hopes world No. 41 Aira will do well against England's world No. 6 Georgina Kennedy in the third round.
The 19-year-old Aira, despite a hurting knee after on court collisions with opponents in two matches, upset Egypt's world No. 30 Hana Ramadan in the first round and Scotland's world No. 32 Georgia Adderly in the second round.
