KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 9 S. Sivasangari suffered a shocking third-round exit at the Egyptian Open, falling 5-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-7 to homester Nada Abbas in Giza City today.
World No. 17 Nada needed 63 minutes to eliminate the Asian champion, defying expectations following Sivasangari's six-week training stint under former world champion Gregory Gaultier in Prague.
National coach Ajaz Azmat said: "Perhaps many things went through Sivasangari's mind after winning the first two games.
"She became more passive and made numerous unforced errors in the following games. There was simply no pace in her play, and the rallies were too short.
"The third game was the turning point. Nada seized it, and the momentum shifted," Ajaz added.