Egyptian wall stands in the way of squash history

Egypt have four players ranked top 10 in the world including No. 3 Raneem El Welily (right), No. 4 Nour El Sherbini (centre) and No. 10 Omneya Abdel Kawy. - Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: So, Egypt it is.

Third seeds Malaysia staved off a strong challenge from France before winning 2-0 on Thursday to set up an intriguing World Women’s Team Squash Championship semi-final against top seeds and favourites Egypt.

It’ll be a titanic task for Malaysia, indeed. 

They have finished third in the last four editions of the world team meet while Egypt, who reached the last four at the Niagara Falls in Canada with an easy 3-0 win over seventh seed Australia on Thursday, are the defending champions.

And Malaysia have never beaten Egypt in the team event.

But that didn’t stop the Malaysians from talking the talk yesterday.

“We have finished in the top four a few years now and will probably have a tough match against Egypt,” said national No. 2 and world No. 7 Low Wee Wern after her hard-fought 11-4, 11-8, 11-9 win over France’s Coline Aumard for Malaysia’s first point.

“They have four players ranked top 10 in the world (No. 3 Raneem El Welily, No. 4 Nour El Sherbini, No. 8 Nour El Tayeb and No. 10 Omneya Abdel Kawy). But this, being a team event, it’s a whole lot different from when we play in the WSA tournaments.

“This year is probably our best-ever chance to do well in the world team event – hopefully, we will make the most of it.”

World No. 1 and seven-time world champion Nicol David echoed her feelings.

“It’s a great feeling to see our team going up the rankings ... but we are seeded third, so no pressure on us, just going to do our best, so why not, go for it,” said Nicol after she staved off a strong challenge from Camille Serme to prevail 11-6, 11-9, 13-11 in 45 minutes – and deliver the winning point against France.

Egypt are just as confident, with team manager Omar Elbordossy saying “we have a solid team”.

“My expectations are in the efforts, not the results. Their best efforts will be enough to win the matches,” he said.

“They owe it to their country to make an effort – you can forget about the rankings.

“Tomorrow’s tie against Malaysia will be tough – but if you want to win the title, you have to beat every team.”

Fourth seeds Hong Kong created history by qualifying for their first semi-finals after edging the United States 2-1.

Hong Kong will face second seeds England in the semi-finals.

Six-time champions England had no problem disposing of eighth seeds Ireland 3-0.