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The U.S. women’s team are one step closer to a third 2015 Pan American Games gold medal after a routine victory over Colombia in the women’s team semifinals Thursday night in Toronto.
Following on court after the marathon men’s semifinal loss to Mexico, the U.S. women made quick work of their South American opponents, ending both matches under sixteen minutes.
Former world No. 1 Natalie Grainger led off against Karol Gonzalez, claiming the opener 11-3, 11-4, 11-6 in fifteen minutes.
Amanda Sobhy, Grainger’s gold medalist doubles partner and women’s singles gold medalist, then emphatically sealed Team USA’s passage to the finals 11-4, 11-6, 11-0 in sixteen minutes.
“Our women are excited and ready to play Canada as we did at the World Team Championships just last year, ” said Paul Assaiante, Ganek Family US Squash Head National Coach.
“Our women are fresh and hungry and watching Amanda Sobhy play tonight I realized that Khaled Sobhy, her father and coach, does not get enough credit for what a great job he’s done in raising a great player and a great person.”
The U.S. women have guaranteed at least a silver medal finish, and vie for the gold medal against hosts Canada Friday at 5:30pm ET.
Rich Wade, Team Manager and Director of National Teams and Certifications, reports on day five of match play from Toronto:
Last on was our Golden Girls, still on course for a clean sweep of Gold medals, against Colombia. Natalie Grainger up first, a calming influence on the team as she goes about her business in an assured manner. Still with phenomenal ball control, Natty G worked the ball into all corners, sometimes with great hold and other times by getting on to it early. 11-3, 11-4, 11-6 in pretty quick time and Team USA were 1-0 up.
With only one win needed to secure a place in the final, Amanda Sobhy stepped on court but of positive energy given the week she’s had. Playing Catalina Pelaez, Amanda worked extremely hard to stay up the court taking the ball early on the volley and in short relentlessly. It’s hard to believe but Sobhy as actually getting better with every match, even with the amount of matches she has played and she closed the match out 11-5, 11-6, 11-0.
The Men secure Bronze and will not play tomorrow and the Women will compete against Canada in a 5.30pm Final! Support and follow our team on twitter @TeamUSASquash.