Team Egypt withholds the title - WSF Women’s World Junior Team Squash Championship 2011
Hot favourites for the World Junior Championship in Boston, the Egyptian Women’s team successfully retained their title as the Junior Champs, however, hosts USA, celebrating their debut in the climax, forced the tie into a decider after the former world Individual title holder, Amanda Sobhy, overpowered the newly crowned champ Nour El Tayeb on the concluding day of the World Squash Federation event at Murr Center, Harvard University.
The reigning champions had a strong start in the final as Nouran El Torky had a nerve wrecking victory over Sabrina Sobhy, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3. Following that, the fieriest match came up as 2010 champion; Amanda Sobhy went one-on-one against the 2011 champion, Nour El Tayeb.
Sobhy started of strong, however, El Tayeb covered up with the second game win. Winning the next two, Sobhy mesmerized the new champ slamming her to the ground with an 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9 scores at the end of the fixture.
“Amanda played so well, she hit the ball very hard and made no mistakes,” said El Tayeb. “It was in my mind that in 2009 she’d beaten Nour (El Sherbini) in the team event and today she beat me.”
However, shortly after the new champ lost to the 2010 title holder, Nour El Sherbini squashed her rival, Olivia Blatchford in straight games, 11-8, 11-3, and 11-8 to leading her country to retain their title.
“When Nour lost I was quite nervous, I knew it was all on me now, but once I managed to take the first game I though everything’s alright now,” explained El Sherbini.”
The 15-year-old also twisted her ankle during the game, yet she came back shortly after a treatment by the medic to finish off with a spectacular ending.
Egypt coach Amir Wagih added: “It was a great team victory and a very special one. They’ve been working hard in the camps all summer and this is a great reward for them.”
Retaining the championship title, the Egyptian team is going to defend their title next year, and if they continue to play spectacular, they might as well retain their title for the third time in a row.
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