U-21 squash world cup: Emotional Egypt in semi-finals

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There was no celebration. Despite booking a semi-final spot in the U-21 squash World Cup, the Egyptians were a downcast lot.

The footage of a riot that killed 73 football fans back home on Wednesday night is still haunting Marwan El Shorbagy, who led Egypt past India 3-0 here on Thursday.

The disaster was a result of Egypt’s top club Al-Ahly’s upset defeat at the hands of Al-Mazry, and Marwan is a big fan of Zamalek SC, arch-rivals of Al-Ahly. Marwan said if Egypt go on to win the World Cup here, the team would dedicate the triumph to the victims.

“It’s really unfortunate. I think Egyptians should calm down a bit,” said Marwan.

India knew Egypt, with two world junior champions in their ranks, were too hot to handle and entered the court with a defensive mindset. With Friday’s decisive match against Australia in mind, Dipika Pallikal was benched.

Anaka Alankamony’s meek surrender to Nour El Sherbini signalled the end of the contest after Egypt had gone 1-0 up with Marwan El Shorbagy’s hard-fought win over Ravi Dixit 11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 12-10.
In the dead rubber, Karan Malik took an easy first game and matched his opponent Karim Abdel Gawad in the second before fizzling out 3-11, 11-9, 11-0, 11-3 in 31 minutes.

Earlier in a Pool B contest, Lucas Serme’s upset win over Charles Sharpes set the tone for France’s stunning victory over second seeds England.

Fresh from notching up his fourth Tour title, the talented Sharpes (world no. 96) was touted as the spearhead in England’s campaign, but the 8-11, 5-11, 4-11 defeat at the hands of the world no. 140 came as a devastating blow for the title contenders.

Emily Whitlock, however, restored parity. The reigning world junior no. 1 played her part to perfection by making mincemeat of Cyrielle Peltier 11-4, 11-1, 11-9 and handed over the baton to Ben Coleman.
The 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 result in favour of Frenchman Geoffrey Demont hardly reflected the intensity of the decisive rubber.

If France beat Hong Kong in their final league match on Friday, they will emerge surprise Pool B winners and meet either India or Australia in the semis. England are likely to take on Egypt.

Results (league, second round): Egypt bt India 3-0 (Marwan El Shorbagy bt Ravi Dixit 11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 12-10; Nour El Sherbini bt Anaka Alankamony 11-6, 11-3, 11-7; Karim Abdel Gawad bt Karan Malik 3-11, 11-9, 11-0, 11-3). Australia bt Germany 2-1 (Jamie McErvale lost to Rudi Rohrmuller 10-12, 12-10, 3-11, 8-11; Sarah Cardwell bt Annika Wiese 11-6, 11-7, 11-4; Walter Koteka bt Sven Lemmermann 13-11, 11-9, 11-0). Hong Kong bt Malaysia 2-1 (Yeung Ho Wai bt Affeeq Abedeen Ismail 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4; Tong Tsz-Wing bt Tan Yan Xin 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4; Wong Chi-Him lost to Sanjay Singh 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 10-12, 6-11). France bt England 2-1 (Lucas Serme bt Charles Sharpes 11-8, 11-5, 11-4; Cyrielle Peltier lost to Emily Whitlock 4-11, 1-11, 9-11; Geoffrey Demont bt Ben Coleman 11-8, 11-8, 11-8).

Action today
At Indian Squash Academy: Egypt vs Germany (Court 2,
11.30am), England vs Malaysia (Court 3, 11.30am). At Express Avenue Mall: France vs Hong Kong (3.30pm), India vs Australia (6pm).