Published: April 27, 2026 at 10:53 am
In an all-Asian final, Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam pulled off an incredible victory over Japan’s Satomi Watanbe to lift the Grasshopper Cup 2026 in Zurich.
No.3 seed Sivasangari produced a herculean effort by recovering from 2-1 down against Satomi to win 3-2. The Malaysian, who was runner-up last year to Nouran Gohar, had to overturn a deficit just like she did in the semifinals against top seed Amina Orfi.
It’s the 17th title on the PSA Squash Tour of the Sivasangari’s career, and she will climb up to World No.5 in the PSA World Rankings on Monday, the first Asian player in eight and a half years to break into the top five since the legendary Nicol David.
Sivasangari boasted six wins over Satomi on Tour coming into the final meeting, but it was the Japanese No.1 who prevailed last time at the PSA Squash Tour Finals.
Satomi looked on course to taking the first, but four game balls of hers were saved by Sivasangari, with the World No.6 being more clinical in the tiebreak to claim the first 15-13 after 18 minutes.
Satomi Watanabe failed to counter Sivasangari Subramaniam in the latter half of the final in Zurich. Pics: PSA Squash Tour
But Satomi got the perfect respond to not converting the first, dominating the middle of the court and driving the ball into the corners to equalise, and she carried those tactics through to the third as well as taking the ball in short to nudge 2-1 up.
Momentum shifts in Sivasangari’s favour
Sivasangari, who requested a new ball at the end of the third game, surged back in the fourth, producing some quickfire winners as the momentum shifted back in her favour as well as squeezing errors from Satomi’s racket.
In a fifth which went point for point, it was Sivasangari who held her nerve at the business end to complete the comeback in style and win her second title of the season.
Sivasangari dislodges top seed Amina, sets up final clash against Satombi in Zurich
“Yesterday I had a long match and a big win. Satomi and I have been playing since I was nine years old, we grew up together, we’re good friends off court and it’s always tough playing each other,” she said.
“We grew up playing every category together and now in the senior events. I’m happy with how we’ve grown up together on the Tour and for me I’m just relieved and happy. I’m very tired but I’m happy to be winning this title,” she added.
Result: 3-Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) beat 2-Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 3-2 (15-13, 5-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8).
