KUALA LUMPUR: A change in his outlook on life has taken Sanjay Singh Chal to the brink of his first PSA Tour title after reaching the men's final of the Malaysian Squash Tour's third leg at Jalan Duta on Thursday.
Sanjay, 23, missed an opportunity to push on after winning two gold medals at the 2015 Singapore Sea Games with injuries nearly throwing his career into a tailspin.
But a change in his lifestyle and attitude led to Sanjay winning a mixed doubles gold medal at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games and an 86-step jump in his world ranking to No 133 in seven months.
Sanjay rallied from a game down to beat Pakistan's Asim Khan, winner of the first two legs on the Malaysian Tour, 13-15, 11-3, 11-4, 11-2 in the semi-finals to set up a final with national teammate Syafiq Kamal.
"My form has improved since I started training with (coach) Ajaz Azmat, who has made me believe in myself," said Sanjay after reaching his first PSA Tour final since 2015.
"I've also changed my lifestyle to become more disciplined and getting a chance to work with a Podium Programme conditioning coach has done wonders for my fitness."
Sanjay will be out to avenge two defeats to Syafiq last year when he plays in his third career PSA Tour final after taking advantage of a fatigued Asim, whose 10-match winning run came to a shuddering halt.
World No 89 Syafiq downed Hong Kong's Lau Tsz Kwan 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 to reach his 10th PSA Tour final, and his second in as many weeks, as he looks to add to his previous two titles.
"He likes to play a fast game so I kept my shots tight to prevent him from attacking, played more at the front court," said top seed Syafiq, who like Sanjay, is headed for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
With Malaysia assured of the men's title, Andrea Lee will attempt to complete a local double when she faces women's top seed Tong Tsz Wing of Hong Kong.
Second seed Andrea defeated Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 while Tsz Wing survived a fifth-game comeback by national junior Aifa Azman in saving five match points to win 10-12, 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9.
World No 80 Andrea reached her second final in a row after last week's second leg in her first two tournaments back since tearing a shoulder ligament last September.
"I have only just returned to training and some of the matches I've played here are longer than my training sessions," said Andrea, 19.
RESULTS
Semi-finals
Men: Syafiq Kamal (Mas) bt Lau Tsz Kwan (HK) 11-5, 11-7, 11-9; Sanjay Singh Chal (Mas) bt Asim Khan (Pak) 13-15, 11-3, 11-4, 11-2;
Women: Tong Tsz Wing (HK) bt Aifa Azman (Mas) 10-12, 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9; Andrea Lee (Mas) bt Jemyca Aribado (Phi) 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6.