KUALA LUMPUR: Asian champion S. Sivasangari looked a bit nervous against national teammate Aifa Azman before getting her act together to get into the semi-finals of the US$64,000 Malaysia Cup at the Curve Mall in Petaling Jaya today.
The world No. 9 and top seed won 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 in 26 minutes to set up a date with world No. 28 Georgia Adderley of Scotland.
Sivasangari, who defeated world No. 39 Aifa for the fourth time in a tournament, said she can't remember when she last played Aifa.
"I was focusing more on my game today, but it was a bit of a nervous start for me.
"There's always pressure on the higher seeded player, but I'm happy to win it.
"For me what is important is take one match at a time and get back my calmness. When I get back my calmness I can play my best squash."
Asked about her semi-final opponent Adderley, Sivasangari said: "I played her last week and she is a tough opponent, runs a lot and picks up a lot of shots.
"It will be a completely different game playing here tomorrow than the match against Aifa. It will be lengthy with long rallies. I beat her 3-1 in the quarter-finals in the China Open but it was close.
"I want to come up with a better game plan and play better squash tomorrow," said Sivasangari, who won the London Classic title in April.
Two-time national champion Aira Azman lost 11-4, 11-7, 11-13, 11-7 in 52 minutes to Adderley in the quarter-finals.
World No. 32 Aira said she was sad to lose to Adderley, having beaten the Scot twice earlier this year.
"My game plan did not go well today. I made a lot of errors. When things go wrong, I couldn't fight back and Adderley was playing well."
Results (Malaysians unless stated)
Men's quarter-finals: Youssef Ibrahim (Egy) bt Juan Camilo Vargas (Col) 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3;
Women's quarter-finals: Georgia Adderley (Sco) bt Aira Azman 11-4, 11-7, 11-13, 11-7; S. Sivasangari bt Aifa Azman 11-9, 11-3, 11-6.