Semis : Sivasangari ends Orfi run to reach final

World No.5 Sivasangari Subramaniam has become the first Malaysian since 2012 to reach the finals of the PSA Squash Tour Finals presented by TWG Global after she ended World Champion Amina Orfi’s winning run with a superb display at Centquatre-Paris.

Orfi hadn’t lost on the PSA Squash Tour since her match at the Grasshopper Cup with Sivasangari in April, racking up 12 successive wins and capturing the World Championship and British Open titles in that time to put her on the cusp of the World No.1 spot.

However, in a scorching day in France’s capital, Sivasangari came up with one of the performances of her career to date to halt the in-form 18-year-old and book her place in the title decider of the season-ending tournament for the first time.

The Malaysian stormed out of the traps to take the first four points on offer. Orfi eventually came back to put the first game on the board, but Sivasangari continued to attack with venom in the second game, levelling up after winning a sudden death decider at 10-all.

Orfi received a conduct warning for being late onto court prior to the third game and things didn’t get much better for the Egyptian as the momentum stayed with Sivasangari, who pulled away to establish a 2-1 lead.

Sivasangari was in full flow in the fourth game too as she continued to dominate the forehand side, however Orfi was able to stick with her as the match went to yet another sudden death tiebreak.

Once again, Sivasangari came up clutch as she put Orfi under pressure and the Egyptian hit the ball out of court as she aimed to lift the ball to the back, sending Sivasangari into the title decider 14 years after compatriot Nicol David last competed in the title decider.

“She’s furious, determined and she doesn’t give away anything,” said Sivasangari.

“I tried to stay positive and as consistent as I can. A year ago it was up and down, there are still errors here and there, but I think I did well in crucial moments. It [sudden death] adds a bit more pressure, and it’s a bit of a lottery when it’s 10-10, I’m happy to win both of them.

“It means a lot, this is my second Squash Tour Finals and last year I lost all of my matches. After the British, I was disappointed with my performance and didn’t feel like myself. I want to end the season on a good note, I’m happy I beat Amina, but there is another match tomorrow and hopefully I can go all the way.”

Sivasangari will go up against either World No.1 Hania El Hammamy or World No.7 Fayrouz Aboelkheir in the final. El Hammamy is now guaranteed to end the season at No.1 following Orfi’s defeat.