Withdrawals push Sivasangari to top seed in Shanghai

Asian champion S. Sivasangari has been promoted to top seed for the China Open in Shanghai from Nov 17-22 following the withdrawals of two higher-ranked players.

World No. 1 and world champion Amina Orfi and world No. 2 Hania El Hammamy of Egypt pulled out of the Gold-level tournament with injuries.

The 19-year-old Orfi, who has won four consecutive tournaments, was initially the top seed.

With world No. 3 and eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini of Egypt not registering for the event, world No. 4 Sivasangari moves up to lead the draw.

Sivasangari is projected to face world No. 7 and second seed Satomi Watanabe of Japan in the final, barring any upset.

The 27-year-old, who retained her Asian Games title to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, received a first-round bye and will play either Malak Khafagy or Haya Ali of Egypt in the second round.

She is expected to meet world No. 16 Farida Mohamed of Egypt in the quarter-finals and world No. 9 and third seed Tinne Gilis of Belgium in the semi-finals.

Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia coaching director Andrew Cross said Sivasangari is in strong form and a favourite in the event.

"Sivasangari is playing really well at the moment, so she will be aiming to win the event. And she will take one match at a time," Cross said.

"She won't be changing anything drastically. She will still be approaching the event in the same way."

Other Malaysians in the women's draw are world No. 19 Aifa Azman and world No. 26 Aira Azman, while Asian champion and world No. 17 Ng Eain Yow will compete in the men's event.