India'll have it tough against Egypt

By Raju Chainani

PENANG, JULY 25. It's a rest day for the 14 teams participating in the 9th World Junior women's squash championships. On Thursday, India plays the holder, Egypt, in the quarterfinals (evening session). The defending champion has had its share of problems on and off the court.

Egypt, however, is a young side with the average age of its players being 15. Imagine what Omneya Abdel Kawy, Amna el Tarabolsy and Sara Badr would be in two years time when the event is held on their home turf in Cairo.

Egypt and India have met only once before, at Antwerp in 1999, when the Egyptians won 3-0. India's trio of Joshna Chinappa, Vaidehi Reddy and Rachita Vora would have their hands full in trying to quell the desert storm.

On the day, all eyes will be on Malaysia, the host, which takes on Australia. The two side have met three times in the past with the Aussies winning 3-0 in 1991; Malaysia had a 2-1 scoreline in 1997 and 3-0 in 1999.

The Aussie trio of Lisa Camelliri, Kasey Brown and Amelia Pittock cannot be taken lightly. After their shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of the USA in the preliminaries, the Aussies would be determined to do well against the hosts.

They however, face a daunting task, going by the form book-Nicol David looks to be in a league of her own and Tricia Chuah beat Kasey Brown in straight games in the quarterfinals of the individual event.

This should be adequate to give Malaysia a semifinal berth where it would in all probability meet Egypt.

England looks too strong for Germany in the third quarterfinals. European champion Jenny Duncalf, British champion Laura-Jane Lengthorn and Alison Waters will be representing the four times winner of the World Team title.

After 1991, when Sabine Schone reached the individual final, the Germans haven't produced a top notcher. The likes of Kathrin Rohrmuller, Jennifer Post and Sandra Zeimels are good but not world beaters.

After their stunning 2-1 win over Australia on Tuesday, the USA is on a high. It starts as the favourite against New Zealand on Thursday.

Interestingly, the Kiwis have won 3-0 on the three occasions the two have met in the World Teams-in 1989, 1991 and 1993.

But the British under-17 champion, Michelle Quibell, the only American to have won an age-group title as this blue riband event, leads the way and should see the stars and stripes flying high.

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