Canada Loses to Top-Seed Egypt In World Teams Main Draw by Danny Da Costa
photo courtesy Steve Cubbins
June 12, 2013 - OTTAWA (ON)
– The Canadian Men’s National Squash Team faced a tough match today in
the Round of 16 at the World Men’s Team Championships in Mulhouse,
France, as they were up against the defending champions and heavily
favoured Team Egypt.
The young Canadian contingent knew they would be in deep against the
Egyptians, whose team is made up of four athletes ranked in the World
Top-12. Dane Sharp of Toronto, ranked 82nd in the World, was tasked
with taking on World #1 Ramy Ashour in the opening match. Sharp scored
a few quick points to lead the opening game against Ashour, and stayed
close with the defending World Open champion throughout the match.
Sharp showed a lot of determination in the tight match despite falling
in three straight games 11-6, 11-9, 11-8.
David Letourneau took the court next for Canada in the #3 position, and
was faced with Egypt #3 and World #10 Tarek Momen. Letourneau, the
World #113 from Calgary, showed fight is common among Team Canada and
wouldn’t let the Egyptian down easy. He battled to the last point and
made Momen work for his 3-0 win 11-6, 11-8, 11-8.
Team Canada now enters the consolation side of the competition, where
they will play through for 9th – 16th place. Tomorrow’s match will pit
Canada against the tournament 10th seed, Hong Kong. Their team is
led by World #34 Max Lee, who will face Montreal’s Shawn Delierre in
the encounter’s premier match up. Play begins at 11:00am local time in
Mulhouse, France.
[1] EGYPT bt [15] CANADA 2/0
Ramy Ashour bt Dane Sharp 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (32m) Tarek Momen bt David Letourneau 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 (31m)
