Malaysia’s top squash player, S. Sivasangari, saw her challenge at the prestigious British Open come to an end after a third-round defeat in Birmingham on Wednesday.
World No. 5 Sivasangari, who was widely expected to overcome England’s Georgina Kennedy and secure a place in the quarter-finals, instead suffered an 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5 loss in a 52-minute encounter.
The defeat marked Sivasangari’s fifth loss to Kennedy in six career meetings.
Kennedy will now face Egypt’s world No. 2, Nour El Sherbini, in the quarter-finals. The eight-time world champion advanced comfortably after defeating Hong Kong’s Sin Yuk Chan 11-3, 11-2, 11-7 in the third round.
Malaysia’s national coach, Ajaz Azmat, admitted that little went right for Sivasangari during the match.
“It was not her day, and she will return to Prague to continue training with coach Gregory Gaultier,” said Ajaz.
Sivasangari’s exit also brought Malaysia’s campaign in the tournament to an end.
