Gaultier backs Sivasangari to cause upset in Qatar

KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Gregory Gaultier believes S. Sivasangari is fit and can create an upset in the Qatar Classic.

World No. 5 Sivasangari will take on top-ranked Hania El Hammamy of Egypt in the semi-finals of the Qatar Classic on Thursday ahead of the Asian Games in Nagoya starting on Sept 23.

Sivasangari is in top form and looks all set to beat El Hammamy for a place in the final of the Platinum-level tournament in Doha.

The 27-year-old Sivasangari will defend her Asian Games title to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The presence of France's Gaultier, who has been training her in Prague since last year, in Doha will give Sivasangari confidence to upset El Hammamy.

Former world champion Gaultier said Sivasangari had a great summer training in Prague with him.

"She has been very disciplined and has been trusting her game, playing with more consistency overall and the fact that she had a few good wins last year over higher-ranked players made her confidence even greater.

"She is looking fit and looking to create some upsets before the Asian Games," said Gaultier.

Sivasangari, who won the Australian Open and Grasshopper Cup this year, qualified for the semi-finals of the Qatar Classic after her opponent Tinnes Gilis of Belgium gave a walkover on Tuesday due to a knee injury.

El Hammamy, who won the Optasia Open in London, El Gouna Open in Egypt and PSA World Tour Finals in Paris, also received a walkover from Egypt's Nouran Gohar due to injury in the quarter-finals.

The last meeting between the two players was at the PSA World Tour Finals, where El Hammamy won in five games in the final.

Sivasangari last beat El Hammamy in the London Classic final in five games in 2024.

Although 26-year-old El Hammamy has beaten Sivasangari nine times in 11 meetings, the Malaysian is in her best form.

Her goal for this season is to break into the top three in the world.