[jbutton size=”large” color=”blue” link=”https://www.ussquash.com/teamusa/2015-world-junior-championships/” newpage=”yes”]Team USA WJC Page[/jbutton]
[jbutton size=”large” color=”blue” link=”http://wsfworldjuniors.com/” newpage=”yes”]WSF World Junior Championships[/jbutton]
The U.S. Junior Women’s team defeated England to reach a third consecutive World Junior Women’s Team Championship final Monday evening at Squash Time in Eindhoven, Holland.
Two three-game, thirty-minute victories by Reeham Sedky and Sabrina Sobhy were enough to see Team USA through the semifinals to what will be its third consecutive final against Egypt.
Sedky led off the match against Amelia Henley, handing the U.S. a 1-0 advantage with an 11-4, 11-2, 11-4 win. Sobhy followed on against England No. 1 Georgina Kennedy, and held off the Englishwoman in a tight second game to clinch the match 11-5, 11-9, 11-8.
“We knew England would be tough, ” said U.S. Head Coach Scott Devoy. “They’re all good players. We tried to play at a tempo and pace that would make it difficult for them, and Reeham’s pace and weight of shot was too good in the first match.
“Sabrina showed what a fighter she is, coming from 6-9 down in the second and that was crucial. Once she has momentum she’s difficult to stop and she was faster onto the ball at the end of the match.
“It’s great to reach the final again, and hopefully it will be third time lucky!”
The semifinal was a repeat of Team USA’s semifinal victory over England in the 2013 World Junior Championships.
England Head Coach Tania Bailey was gracious in defeat: “Reeham played brilliantly, she made probably one error in the whole match. You probably need a few games against her to get used to her style, and she was just too much for Amelia to handle today.
“Gina didn’t deserve to lose 3-0, if she’d taken the second it might have been different, but credit to Sabrina, she somehow hung in there and managed to get her racket on the ball in some crucial points.
“Obviously we would have loved to be in the final, but well played USA and we’re happy to finish with bronze medals to take home.”
Team USA has now at least matched its best ever finish of second place—also achieved in 2011 and 2013—and will aim for third time lucky and its first world title against defending champions Egypt.
Earlier Monday afternoon, Egypt defeated Malaysia 2-0 booking their place in the final.
Live stream the final Tuesday morning at 9:30 ET.
Watch the final live stream and both semifinal replays below on www.wsfworldjuniors.com/live.