Sivasangari handed Tour Finals semi-final boost after withdrawals

KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari has been handed a major boost in her PSA Squash Tour Finals debut following the last-minute withdrawal of world No. 5 Amina Orfi of Egypt.
The world No. 8 Malaysian now has a genuine shot at reaching the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament, which starts on Monday in Toronto.
Orfi's exit comes just days after reigning world champion and world No. 2 Nour El Sherbini also pulled out due to a shoulder injury, prompting organisers to conduct a fresh draw.
Sivasangari, 26, now finds herself in Group B alongside world No. 4 Olivia Weaver of the United States, Japan's world No. 7 Satomi Watanabe, and world No. 14 Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt.
Group A features world No. 1 Nouran Gohar, Belgium's world No. 6 Tinne Gilis, American No. 9 Amanda Sobhy and England's No. 10 Georgina Kennedy.
Only the top two players from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
While Weaver poses a stern test, Sivasangari will be confident against Fayrouz and Satomi, having enjoyed previous success against both.
She opens her campaign against Weaver on Monday, followed by Fayrouz on Tuesday and Satomi on Wednesday.
Sivasangari has played Weaver seven times, winning just once in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Cup in February, which she went on to win. She also beat Fayrouz twice last year and saw off Satomi in the third round of the recent British Open.
National coach Ajaz Azmat believes the redraw will likely work in Sivasangari's favour.
"She'll face a tough match against Weaver, but she should be able to get past Fayrouz and Satomi to finish in the top two," said Ajaz.

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