KUALA LUMPUR: While Malaysia, as expected, reached two finals at the Asian Team Squash Championships on Saturday, world No. 10 S. Sivasangari's defeat in the women's semi-finals has raised concerns.
World No. 14 Satomi Watanabe of Japan upset Asian champion Sivasangari 5-11, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10 after Aira Azman gave Malaysia the lead by overcoming Risa Sugimoto 11-2, 11-4, 11-5 in Dalian, China.
Rachel Arnold delivered the winning point with an 11-3, 11-3, 11-8 win over Akari Midorikawa for a 2-1 victory over their rivals.
Team manager Nafzahizam Adnan said the defeat is a wake-up call for Sivasangari.
"Sivasangari did not play to her form in the semi-finals today," said Nafzahizam on Saturday.
The Malaysian team will face Hong Kong, who defeated South Korea 2-0, in the women's final on Sunday.
"I hope Sivasangari will rise to the occasion in the final against Hong Kong as she will be playing in the opening match.
"Rachel will play the second match while Aira Azman or Aifa Azman will take to the court for the third match.
"We edged Hong Kong 2-1 in the final at the Hangzhou Asian Games last October, and I am optimistic that we can repeat the feat."
In the men's semi-finals, the Ng Eain Yow-led Malaysia defeated Japan 2-0.
Syafiq Kamal and world No. 15 Eain Yow delivered the winning points by overcoming Naoki Hayashi (11-5, 11-4, 11-7) and Ryunosukue Tsukue (11-8, 11-7, 11-4), respectively.
