Other Sports
Sivasangari dislodges top seed Amina, sets up final clash against Satombi in Zurich
No.3 seed Sivasangari Subramaniam staged a remarkable comeback to dislodge top seed Amina Orfi to reach the final of the Grasshopper Cup 2026 in Zurich on Saturday.
Malaysia’s No.1 player Sivasangari, who hadn’t beaten Orfi since the final of the Hong Kong Football Club Open in 2023, rallied from 1-2 down to triumph 3-2 against the World No.3 and progress to the final in Zurich for a second year running.
The World No.6, who had lost to Orfi earlier this year in the final of the Karachi Open, ensured she’d feature in the title decider in Zurich once again and her fifth final this season by toppling the top seed 11-7, 5-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5 in 81 minutes.
“I feel happy,” she said afterwards. “There’s nothing much to say about her (Amina Orfi) – she’s World No.3, she’s still very young but she’s at that level and a really strong player. I was just trying to focus on my gameplan and there’s always a bit of physicality with her, but I tried to stay composed, stay calm and not overthink the moment and enjoy it. I was just trying not to get distracted with things out of my control,” she added.
Sivasangari reduces error count
The World No.6 playing at a high tempo and, despite seeing three of her six game balls saved, Sivasangari was able to win 11-7. Orfi, boasting a run of six straight victories over Sivasangari, improved her accuracy into the back of the court in the second to restore parity.
The Egyptian raced into a 7-2 lead in the third as Sivasangari struggled to keep the ball out of the tin, but the Malaysian reduced the error count after by hitting some exceptional winners to get to within touching distance.
However, Orfi did enough to keep her opponent at bay to win the third 11-8 and requested a new ball. But the momentum shifted back in Sivasangari’s favour in the fourth when she charged into a 7-3 lead. Despite some lapses into concentration from the Malaysian that got Orfi back into the contest, Sivasangari held firm to win the fourth 11-9.
Amina Orfi comes from behind to overcome Salma Hany in Grasshopper Cup quarterfinals
A conduct stroke was awarded against Orfi at the end of the fourth due to coaching, which put Sivasangari 1-0 up at the start of the fifth. Despite a scrappy decider, the World No.6 kept her nerve to complete the remarkable fightback.
Satomi makes it to her maiden Grasshopper Cup final
Sivasangari and Satomi Watanabe will battle it out for the Grasshopper Cup crown after the Japanese No.1 dispatched England No.1 Gina Kennedy in straight games. Watanabe advanced to her first Grasshopper Cup final.
Satomi Watanabe in action against Gina Kennedy during their semifinal match of the Grasshopper Cup in Zurich on Saturday. Pics: PSA Squash Tour
Watanabe, who’s been a quarterfinalist at best on her two previous visits to Zurich, will face Sivasangari Subramaniam in the title decider following a comfortable win against Kennedy. The clash was a repeat of the Steel City Open final at the start of March, where Watanabe prevailed in straight games.
The World No.7 was in control throughout their 29-minute encounter, as Watanabe was able to swoop on any loose balls from Kennedy to draw first blood. An early advantage for Watanabe in the second gave her more freedom and confidence to hit winners all over the court, taking the second 11-5.
Watanabe’s place in the final was confirmed with a 11-7 triumph in the third, stretching her unbeaten run against the Englishwoman on the PSA Squash Tour to three matches.
“The format changed to best of five today so there was a change in mentality, but at the same time I know it’s going to be a really tough game against Gina,” she said. “We both train a lot, so we know how we play and to overcome that is pretty hard. I always enjoy the battles with Gina – it’s always clean and nice – and I’m really pleased to get through today.”
Results: Women’s semifinals: 3-Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) beat 1-Amina Orfi (EGY) 3-2 (11-7, 5-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5); 2-Satomi Watanabe (JPN) beat 5-Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-7).