[14] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 3-0 Caroline Fouts (USA) 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (24m)
Next opponent: Melissa Alves / Hania El Hammamy
As I was watching those two players – Siva 25 yo, Caroline only 18 – I was thinking how the future of squash looks good. Caroline is about to join University and is one of the most serious hopes for the States I believe. She is hard-working, bright, funny, and passionate about squash. No I mean, utterly passionate about our sport.
Facing her today, the “coming back from the other side” young lady Sivasangari, who still wears that scar on her forehead as a reminder of what she went through a few months back, when we were not sure she was going to be able to walk ever again. That state of facts gave the Malaysia a golden determination. And she will be a contender for sure in this event.
Caroline is acquiring the data to increase her experience. I can’t wait to see the player she is going to become.
Siva : Caroline is still very young, so we haven’t competed against each other yet but we hit a bit together a few time when I go to New York, where she is based.
I always knew she is a very talented player, still young and when I was her age, I had nothing to lose, I just wanted to be all the top players. I knew that was going to be her mindset. I had to be really prepared and from the start. I had to keep it going so if she wanted to beat me, she would have to get to my level and beat me. I wanted to make that point.
Obviously, there were nerves and stuff, but I started well, I was confident in my game and I’m happy to win in three.
She is a very solid player, a really good length game, she moves really well as well, so I wanted to mix up the pace a bit, tried to slow down because she likes a fast pace. And when I had the opportunity to go short, I had to place the ball and move her a little bit more.
It really worked well today, and I’m happy with the way I moved from my first match which was a bit sluggish.
I am based working with David Palmer for the past 5 years, working with him very closely. I have my coach back home, Ajaz Azmat, with whom I work when I’m back in Malaysia, and with whom I speak a lot when I am in the States. Sometimes, I miss home, and nowadays, it’s very easy to get back and forth as I don’t have school anymore, I graduated from Cornell last year. But I am mostly training with David, who has helped me improve my game tremendously. So I’m happy with my training schedule now.
