England’s hopes of reaching their first World Junior Women’s Team Championship final since 2001 were ended by the USA in the Netherlands at the semi-final stage for the second successive tournament.
After England’s 2-1 loss to the Americans in the last four two years ago in Poland, the second favourites went one better in Eindhoven with a 2-0 victory.
Furthermore, they did not concede a game as Kent duo Amelia Henley and Georgina Kennedy (pictured above right) were both beaten 3/0.
First Henley went down to Reeham Sedky 11-4, 11-2, 11-5 in half an hour and then Kennedy was defeated by Sabrina Sobhy 11-5, 11-9, 11-8, also in 30 minutes.
The 2-0 reversal halted the third seeds’ superb run in the championship, which had brought them five wins from five matches with only one game conceded.
Northumbria’s Lucy Beecroft, whose match against Kayley Leonard was not required, tweeted later: “Shame I didn’t get to play but so proud of my team this week!”
England High Performance Coach Tania Bailey added: “The American no.2 played exceptionally well and it was really tough for Amelia to get into the game. Reeham puts so much pace on the ball and does it relentlessly into good areas, which Amelia just wasn’t used to, as no other junior girls play like that. Amelia tried all she could and fought hard, but Reeham stayed strong throughout.
“Gina certainly deserved a game and then it could have been a different result. She was up in the second and third, but Sobhy dug deep and defended well when she needed to. Gina played some world-class squash and was on top in a lot of the rallies, but just couldn’t quite get through the finish line in any of the games.
“The girls all fought hard, gave it their all and should be proud of themselves.”
There is no 3/4 play-off so England finish with a bronze medal.