Malaysia’s S. Sivasangari reaches her first Diamond-level semi-final at the Egyptian Open 2026 after a stunning comeback win, setting up a clash with defending champion Hania El Hammamy
KUALA LUMPUR: National squash player S. Sivasangari is one step away from reaching the Egyptian Open 2026 final as she stormed to the semi-finals in Giza on Tuesday.
The fourth seed staged a stunning comeback on the tournament’s all-glass court set against the backdrop of the Great Pyramids of Giza, bouncing back from two games down to beat seventh seed and home favourite Fayrouz Aboelkheir.
Sivasangari’s 9-11, 4-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 victory saw the 27-year-old march to her first-ever Diamond-level semi-final.
However, a mammoth task awaits the 2026 Asian Games gold medallist as she will face reigning champion and top seed Hania El Hammamy tomorrow.
El Hammamy sent Japanese player Satomi Watanabe packing in a 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5 gruelling encounter.
On paper, world No. 2 El Hammamy holds the advantage over world No. 5 Sivasangari, having won 10 of their 12 previous meetings.
Sivasangari’s most recent victory over the Egyptian came at the London Squash Classic 2024, where she triumphed 11-9, 5-11, 13-11, 12-14, 11-8.