US Tries To Win First World Women's Juniors Title Since 1980
from DailySquashReport.com
July 30, 2011 - The US junior women’s team will clash with defending champion Egypt today in Boston at 1:15pm EST for the World Junior Team Championship.
It will be the first finals appearance by a US team since 1980, when the predominantly hardball-playing junior squad led by Alicia McConnell shocked the squash world by winning it all in Sweden.
Egypt is the reigning world champion and has been in five straight finals.
Amanda Sobhy and Haley Mendez earned clutch semi-final victories over India in a 2-1 win for the Americans yesterday.
US Coach Jack Wyant declined to say whether Mendez, his #4 player, would be in the lineup for today’s final.
“Egypt is a class team with talent #1 - #4,” said Wyant. “Team USA is excited to try and give the world junior champs a run for their money--make them earn it on our home turf.”
Earlier, Wyant said, “All credit to her opponent, but Olivia (Blatchford) needs to play faster, she was too passive tonight and you certainly won’t get anything playing the Egyptians that way, but she knows that, and she’ll be fine tomorrow.”
About Sobhy, he added, “Amanda was solid again. She’s saving her best squash for the final – she was gutted by the result in the individuals, and tomorrow’s an opportunity to show that she’s at the same level as the world champion.”
India and Hong Kong will play for 3rd place.
Semi-final Results:
USA 2-1 INDIA
Amanda Sobhy 3-0 Anaka Alankamony 11/8, 11/8, 11/5 (21m)
Olivia Blatchford 0-3 Saumya Karki 7/11, 9/11, 9/11 (28m)
Haley Mendez 3-1 Aparajitha Balamurukan 11/8, 4/11, 11/9, 11/9 (42m)
EGYPT 2-0 HONG KONG
Nour El Tayeb 3-0 Ho Ka Po 11/3, 11/2, 11/4 (19m)
Nour El Sherbini 3-1 Ka Yi Lee 11/5, 10/12, 12/10, 11/2 (30m)
third match not played
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