S. Sivasangari clinched her second title of the year with a come-from-behind win over World No 53 Satomi Watanabe in the US$12,000 (RM49,642) Australian Open women’s final yesterday.
The Japanese player came out firing on all cylinders at the Bega Squash Club in New South Wales and took the first set, but found the going tough as Sivasangari started to find her range later in the match.
World No 48 Sivasangari, who was decisive when it mattered, eventually closed out the match 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 in 39 minutes.
“Satomi came out really strong and I was struggling in the opening set,” said Sivasangari.
“I then played direct rallies a bit more from the second set and just stayed positive.
“We are really good friends and have played many times during our junior days. She is always aggressive and fights hard, today (yesterday) was the same.”
This is the Kedah-born’s second title this year after winning in St Louis in April.
The 20-year-old plays collegiate squash for Cornell University in the United States and is coached by former world champion David Palmer.
In the men’s final, Syafiq Kamal failed to impress, losing 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 to Frenchman Victor Crouin in 32 minutes.