KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 9 S. Sivasangari has a fighting chance of winning the US$100,000 (RM430,000) Silicon Valley Open which begins tomorrow in Redwood City, California.
The 25-year-old Asian champion, who is seeded third, has a first round bye.
Kedahan Sivasangari is expected to face Egypt's world No. 40 Nour Aboulmakarim in the second round.
Sivasangari, who won the London Classic in April, should advance and is likely to meet world No. 15 Sabrina Sobhy of the United States in the quarter-finals.
Barring any upset, Sivasangari is expected to be up against American world No. 4 and top seed Olivia Weaver in the semi-finals. World No. 6 Georgina Kennedy of England is the second seed.
National chief coach Ajaz Azmat said: "Looking at the draw, Sivasangari's main challenge will be against Olivia in the semi-finals. I'm optimistic Sivasangari will rise to the occasion and get the better of Olivia to reach the final.
"If Sivasangari wins the title, then her world ranking will improve further."
Sivasangari gave a good fight against Weaver in the second round of the Paris Squash last month before losing 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8.
In the London Classic in April, Sivasangari played the tournament of her life, stunning Egypt's world No. 1 Nour El Sherbini and world No. 2 Hania El Hammamy, and world No. 4 Nele Gilis of Belgium to win the tournament.
Sivasangari will also have a hectic schedule in the next two months, playing in the US Open, China Open, ACE Malaysia Cup, Singapore Open, Hong Kong Open and World Team Championships in Hong Kong.