Article courtesy of the World Squash Federation.
In a dramatic climax to the 2014 SHOP.CA WSF Women’s World Team Squash Championship today in Canada, second seeds England defeated first-time finalists Malaysia 2/1 to win the biennial World Squash Federation championship for the seventh time.
It was less than 24 hours earlier that third seeds Malaysia created the upset of the championship at White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, by dethroning title-holders and favorites Egypt. Meanwhile England established a new record 11th successive appearance in the final by seeing off Hong Kong China.
England began their latest campaign in convincing style when squad number three Sarah-Jane Perry beat Malaysian Delia Arnold 11-8, 11-9, 11-7.
“That was so, so, different from yesterday, ” said the world No.17, referring to the semi-final decider in which she beat the Hong Kong number three to put England into the final. “I wanted to get the girls off to a good start.
“I’m sharing with Laura, the team captain, and she’s been amazing. It’s good to have this solid team support. I know how much Ali and Laura want this after being in losing finals before.”
Next on the all-glass show court were the two teams’ top-strings – world number one Nicol David facing England’s world number two Laura Massaro for the 30th time since 2005. The Malaysian was in dominant form – extending her ten-year unbeaten record in the event to beat Massaro 11-8, 11-9 11-3 and force a decider.
“I’m so pleased with my performance today, ” David said later. “Beating Laura is never easy, I had to dig deep, and beating Laura 3/0 is a great result. I’m so glad I brought a point to the team, it was such a wonderful feeling to be in the final. It was a dream for us.”
England looked set to claim the title in straightforward style when Londoner Alison Waters took the first two games and led 8-6 in the third. But plucky Low Wee Wern – the world No.7 from Penang who had clinched Malaysia’s historic place in the final the day before by winning the decider – reeled off five points in a row to reduce world No.5 Waters’ lead.
