BRISBANE, March 15- Malaysian squash sensation S. Sivasangari has reasserted her dominance on the global stage, capturing the 2026 Australian Open title in a clinical performance on Sunday. The victory marks a significant turning point for the World No. 6, ending a 13-month wait for silverware and reinforcing her status as one of the elite competitors in the sport.
Living up to her top seeding, Sivasangari required only 28 minutes to dismantle seventh seed Marina Stefanoni of the United States. The Malaysian star controlled the court at the South Bank Piazza, delivering a straight-sets victory with scores of 11-7, 11-4, and 11-8. The triumph in Brisbane is Sivasangari’s first title of the year and her first since winning the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup in February 2025. It also represents her second career gold-level title, following her historic win at the London Classic in 2024.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim led the nation in celebrating the achievement. In a statement released via social media, the Prime Minister described Sivasangari’s victory as a “proud moment” that reflects the “high fighting spirit” of Malaysian athletes. “This success serves as proof of the determination, discipline, and fighting spirit of our athletes in bringing honour to Malaysia internationally,” Anwar said. He further noted that her victory provides a vital spark of inspiration for the country’s youth to pursue excellence on the world stage.
Sivasangari’s win adds to a string of recent successes for Malaysian squash, a sport where the nation has historically maintained a world-class presence. Her ability to bounce back from a title-less 13-month period demonstrates the mental resilience that has become a hallmark of her professional career.
The Australian Open title is expected to solidify Sivasangari’s top-tier ranking as she prepares for the upcoming PSA World Tour events.
