Sports

Sivasangari ends 13-month drought, wins Australian Open

KUALA LUMPUR: National women’s squash player S. Sivasangari ended her 13-month championship drought in style when she defeated American player Marina Stefanoni to win the 2026 Australian Open title in Brisbane, today.

The tournament’s top seed displayed a dominant performance at the Professional Squash Association (PSA) gold-status tournament when he only needed 28 minutes to defeat the seventh seed with a score of 11-7, 11-4, 11-8.

The tournament offers a total cash prize of AUD131,000 (RM360,575).

The latest victory also continues the world number six’s excellent record over Stefanoni, the world number 19, after previously defeating the American at the 2022 Carol Weymuller Open and the 2022-2023 PSA World Championship. 

This success also ended Sivasangari’s wait since February last year when she emerged champion of the Cincinnati Gayor Cup after defeating Egyptian player Amanda Sobhy 11-7, 6-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-4.

Earlier, the 27-year-old booked a slot in the final after defeating fourth seed from Belgium, Nele Gilis 11-8, 13-11, 11-4 in the semi-finals.

— BERNAMA

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