Sivasangari pushes Hania to the limit before bowing out

KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari pushed world No. 2 Hania El Hammamy to the limit again, but the Malaysian was left heartbroken after suffering another agonising fifth-game defeat in the Egyptian Open semi-finals.

The world No. 4 battled for 86 minutes before going down 6-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-0, 12-10 to the defending champion in Cairo, missing out on a place in the final for the second time in her career.

It was the second time in as many months that Sivasangari had taken Hania to a deciding game in a major semi-final, only to lose 12-10.

The Malaysian suffered a similar heartbreak against the Egyptian at the Qatar Classic in September.

It was Sivasangari's 11th defeat in 13 meetings with the Egyptian, who admitted that the Malaysian was becoming an increasingly difficult opponent to overcome.

"I'm sure everyone is excited to watch our matches every time we play. I think it must be hard for Sivasangari losing both matches 12-10 in the fifth, but I'm very happy and proud to get the win," said Hania.

The 26-year-old added that Sivasangari was now challenging her mentally and tactically, making their encounters increasingly demanding.

"Maybe a few years ago she wasn't pushing all the way into those fourth and fifth games, but now what's so hard is that she's pushing me really hard mentally and tactically all the way," she said.

"I'm a fighter. If I'm going to lose, I'm going to give every single thing I can on court. I think that's a strength, that mindset. I'm very tough. Siva is the same as well."

National coach Ajaz Azmat felt Sivasangari had opportunities to turn the match in her favour, especially in the third game, when she led 10-8 before losing 12-10.

"Overall, I am satisfied with Sivasangari's performance in the Egyptian Open, as this was the first time she reached the semi-finals of a Diamond-level tournament," said Ajaz.

"There is no guarantee when Sivasangari will be able to beat Hania in a tournament, but I hope soon."

Hania will face compatriot and world No. 1 Amina Orfi in Friday's final after the reigning world champion defeated former world No. 1 Nouran Gohar 9-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-6 in the other semi-final.

Sivasangari, 27, who retained her Asian Games title in Japan to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, will next play in the Silicon Valley Open in the United States from Oct 20-24.