France celebrate their semi-final berth (Photo World Squash)
History was rewritten for France’s men’s team as they reached the semi-finals of the World Squash Junior Team Championships for the first time in 26 years during another thrilling day of action in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The World Squash Junior Championships bring together the world’s best under-19 squash players, with the men’s and women’s individual championships having taken place from July 20–25 and the men’s and women’s team championships being contested from July 26–31.
With the knockout stages using a 1-2-3 string order, teams battled for a place in the World Squash Junior Team Championships semi-finals.
Among the day’s action at White Oaks Resort & Spa, France stole the headlines by beating No.6 seeds Malaysia 2-0 to secure their first World Squash Junior Team Championships semi-final appearance since 2000.
With history on the line, the No.4 seeds made the perfect start through No.1 string Amir Khaled-Jousselin, who produced an outstanding performance to defeat Nickhileswar Moganasundharam 11-6, 11-9, 11-3 in a high-quality contest.
Holding a 1-0 advantage, France were just one victory away from a historic place in the final four. Théo Baudry put France within touching distance of the semi-finals after taking a 2-1 lead against Altamis A. Sufian, but the Malaysian refused to go down without a fight.
The fourth game developed into a tense, end-to-end battle, with neither player willing to surrender an inch of court. Despite Sufian’s resistance, Baudry held his nerve in the closing stages to seal an 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9 victory, to a wave of celebrations from the French team as they booked a long-awaited place in the semi-finals.
“The boys are too young to remember the previous semi-final, but they knew they could make history today, and they did it,” said France coach Renen Lavigne after the historic victory.
“We knew that Amir [Khaled-Jousselin] would be able to put us in the lead, and we know that Théo [Baudry] is mentally very strong.
“And knowing that Théo had already played his opponent in the individual consolation rounds, so we studied that match and his opponent and it paid off today.”
Lavigne continued: “It is a great feeling for the whole team. It feels amazing.”
Having secured their place in the semi-finals, France will now face defending champions Egypt, who progressed with an entertaining 2-0 victory over Pakistan on the glass court.
Meanwhile, in the women’s draw, the No.3 seeds USA came from behind to defeat India and reach the semi-finals.
India made the stronger start, with No.1 string and reigning World Junior Champion Anahat Singh defeating Diya Yadav in straight games. However, they were unable to build on the early advantage as Charlotte Sze levelled the tie by overcoming Rudra Singh 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 to force a deciding match.
With momentum firmly on the USA’s side, No.3 string Lily Bourell sealed her team’s place in the final four with a straight-games victory over Anika Dubey. The USA women’s team will now face defending champions Egypt, who advanced to the semi-finals with an impressive 3-0 victory over Australia.
Joining them in tomorrow’s action will be the USA men’s team, who also progressed to the semi-finals after defeating No.8 seeds Japan, who were making their first quarter-final appearance in 14 years.
Yaseen Shalaby and Lars Gertsen put the USA in complete control with straight-games victories over Shunsaku Kariyazoo and Ren Makino respectively, before Brendan Tagliarini completed the clean sweep with a 2-0 victory over Shu Takahashi.
After sealing a 3-0 victory, the USA will face No.5 seeds India, who booked their place in a second consecutive semi-final with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over No.3 seeds England.
Elsewhere, No.2 seeds Hong Kong, China continued their pursuit of the women’s World Squash Junior Team Championships title with a convincing victory over hosts Canada.
Helen Tang gave Hong Kong, China the perfect start with a straight-games victory over Wing Kai Gladys Ho before Ena Kwong secured the tie by defeating Veera Dhaliwal 3-0 to book her team’s place in the semi-finals.
Hong Kong, China will now take on No.4 seeds Malaysia, who reached the final four after overcoming No.6 seeds England. Whitney Wilson laid the foundations for Malaysia’s victory by defeating Emily Coulcher-Porter 3-1 before Harleein Tan wrapped up the tie with an 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 victory over Reka Kemecsei.
