Sivasangari surrenders to mighty Gohar

KUALA LUMPUR: National squash player S. Sivasangari put up a commendable performance against world number two Nouran Gohar in the El Gouna International Squash Open, but it wasn't sufficient to overcome the mighty Egyptian on home soil.

Ranked 36th in the world, Sivasangari had to accept the 3-0 (9-11, 10-12, 7-11) defeat against former world number one after a 41 minute battle in the third round match on Sunday (early Monday in Malaysia).

In the quarterfinals on Tuesday, Gohar set to face compatriot and world number 14, Rowan Elra, who stunned world number eight Joelle King of New Zealand 11-6, 12-10, 11-8, according to the Professional Squash Association World Tour website www.psaworldtour.com.

"The first and the second game, I was leading a few points. I felt pretty confident on court. At some crucial parts, I lost my focus and gave up a few errors, but overall, I think I did pretty well in this tournament.

"Obviously there is a reason why Nouran is world number two, so I tried to do my best, and give everything I can, which I think I did pretty well. I'm happy with the way I'm progressing, hopefully to come back stronger," Sivasangari was quoted as saying by PSA Tour.

Meanwhile, Gohar, 23, praised Sivasangari's performance and their evolution from the junior phase into seniors.

"Siva is not an up-and-coming player. She is already there, you know, she is one to watch. We haven't played since the World Juniors which was four or five years ago, and I feel really old now!

"We have evolved and it was completely different to the last time we played. I am just glad that I managed to grab the last few points in each game to win in three," Gohar said.

The 22 -year-old Sivasangari, currently based in the United States, upsets world number 10 Tesni Evans from Wales 11-4, 5-11, 4-11, 11-5, 11-6 on Saturday to advance to the third round.

The Kedahan's defeat also mean end of Malaysia's campaign in the tournament, as Ng Eain Yow bowed out of the second round after suffered defeat of 5-11, 7-11, 7-11 to another Egyptian Youseff Ibrahim in the men's singles event on Saturday.

Another four players - Low Wee Wern, Ivan Yuen, Rachel Arnold and Aifa Azman - forced to withdraw from the tournament after denied from departing to Cairo on May 16, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) checkpoint for not completing polio doses.

-- BERNAMA