Team USA Reaches Historic First Women’s World Teams Semifinal

Amanda Sobhy (r) in action against Hollie Naughton

Team USA reached the semifinals of the WSF Women’s World Team Championship for the first time in the nation’s history following a 3-0 quarterfinal victory over Canada Wednesday, December 14, at the Madinaty Squash Club in Cairo, Egypt.

After topping Group B and securing the tournament’s two seed, the U.S. met 7/8 seeds Canada in their opening knock out round match.

A close contest between world No. 5 Amanda Sobhy and Canada’s world No. 17 Hollie Naughton opened up proceedings on the outdoor glass court. In a rematch of their 2016 world teams encounter that Sobhy won in three games and twenty minutes, the Canadian pushed Sobhy to five games, including a remarkable fifth game comeback to force a tie breaker that the American narrowly claimed 14-12.

With the U.S. up 1-0, Sabrina Sobhy delivered clinical performance against former world No. 49 Nikki Todd in the No. 3 position, clinching the match for the U.S. 11-5, 11-6, 11-1 in twenty minutes. Olivia Fiechter followed on to win a dead rubber match in the No. 2 position 2-0 against Nicole Bunyan.

The historic result guarantees a new all time high finish for Team USA, topping three consecutive previous best finishes of fifth place in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

The U.S. has the chance for another historic result in the semifinals on Thursday against three seeds England, who defeated four seeds France 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

“We’re very proud to make history for Team USA by reaching our first world teams semifinal,” said Ong Beng Hee, US Squash Head National Coach. “Canada were always going to be difficult opponents and I’m pleased we only needed two matches. Credit to Amanda for pulling through a tough five-game battle against a top player in Hollie. We have the chance to make more history tomorrow so now it’s time to recover, regroup and focus on a huge match against England.”

The semifinal will take place Thursday afternoon at 12:30pm ET. Follow live streaming and more tournament updates on wsfwomensteams.com.