Favourites Egypt beat USA 2-0 in the final of the WSF Women’s World Junior Team Squash Championship to claim the World Squash Federation title for a record seventh time – and fifth time in a row – at the Squashtime Centre in Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
It was the third consecutive final between the two nations – Egypt celebrating their seventh in a row since 2003 and second seeds USA looking to win the trophy for a first time after appearing in all 16 championships since 1985.
In the opening clash between the countries’ two top strings, Habiba Mohamed started well for the defending champions against USA’s Sabrina Sobhy, building up a 6-1 lead before taking the first game. The American fought back to take the second, but Mohamed was in commanding form in the next two games as she powered Egypt into the lead 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-1.
Egypt again took the early lead in the next match between the number threes, Salma Hany Ibrahim taking the first game against USA’s Kayley Leonard. There was little to choose between the two teenagers in the next three games – but Ibrahim, in her last day but one as a junior, fought back from 7-9 down in the fourth to complete her 11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 11-9 victory in 53 minutes to the delight of herself and her team-mates.