Sivasangari gets giant-killer Anahat next after breezing past Rachel

KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari will face giant-killer Anahat Singh of India after brushing aside compatriot Rachel Arnold to reach the Silicon Valley Open semi-finals in the United States on Thursday.

The world No. 4 Malaysian defeated world No. 22 Rachel 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 in just 24 minutes in their quarter-final.

Meanwhile, India's world No. 15 Anahat, 18, continued her fine form by upsetting world No. 14 Salma Hany of Egypt 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-5 in 42 minutes.

Anahat had stunned world No. 3 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt in the second round on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Sivasangari, who won the Australian Open and Grasshopper Cup titles this year, will face Anahat later today in a repeat of last month's Asian Games final, which the Malaysian won.

Sivasangari said: "I think I take every game the same way, even if I'm playing my teammate. I try to put that away and think of it as just another match.

"She's a good friend and had a good win yesterday. She's a dangerous player, so I'm happy with the way I played," Sivasangari told the PSA Squash Tour, after her win over Rachel.

"I'm just happy and looking forward to tomorrow (today)," she added.