CHENNAI – In what was a final that went to the wire, Egypt managed to down reigning champion Great Britain 2-1 and grab the gold medal in the mixed team event of the 8th World University Squash Championship in Chennai on Sunday 7 September. This is the third time that Egypt is lifting the team title in this championship, the last being in 2008.
Each match in the tie went the full distance to provide the just setting for a grand finale. “This is about the best you would have asked for in a final,” said Zena Woolridge, the FISU Technical delegate for Squash and also President of the European Squash Federation. She could not have put it more aptly. It was a nail biting contest right through. As per the draw on the final day, it was the women’s singles in the tie that was played first. If Egypt thought Farah Meguid would put the country in a happy situation then Camilla Tomlinson had other ideas. Having won the individual gold earlier this talented player showed her fighting qualities after the Egyptian clawed back from two games down. Finally it was a test of resolve and Camilla came up trumps with her never give up approach.
With Great Britain one up, the pressure was on Mazen Sabri to keep Egypt afloat. The situation demanded careful play and against a resilient Edward Charlton who has shown good ability to adapt to situations in this championship, Mazen had to be sharp. He was not that in the opener and the Briton made the most of it. But things turned there, particularly after Mazen showed his amazing stroke production to come back from 6-10 situation to win a game. The soft drop shots began working as also the fierce backhand essays that found the spot inches above the tin for winners. Still Charlton gave little away even in struggle. The net result was a lively contest that inexorably turned Mazen’s way.
Equally close was the deciding match involving Zahed Mohammed and Joel Patrick Makin. The Egyptian till date had little to do in the team event for so fluent were the others in helping the cause. But today the onus was on him. The pressure told particularly with Makin showing admirable penchant for returning winners, be it low volleys or cross court drives. There were any number of ‘let’ calls and a few moments when the two players seemed to lose cool but in the end the steadier of the two won. The winning point was a case in point as a tired Makin went diving to get back a low ball but in vain.
Earlier for the bronze medal, Malaysia defeated South Africa 2-1.
The medals awarding ceremony followed as the curtains came down. The next edition (9th) will be held in 2016 in Malaysia.
RESULTS DAY 7 – MIXED TEAM FINALS
Golden Final: Egypt bt Great Britain 2-1
Farah Abdel Meguid lost to Camilla Tomlinson 9-11, 7-11, 13-11, 11-8, 5-11;
Mazen Sabri bt Edward Charlton 10-12, 11-5, 5-11, 12-10, 11-4;
Zahed Mohammad bt Joel Patrick Makin 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8
Bronze Game: Malaysia bt South Africa 2-1
Zulhijjah lost to Alexandra Fuller 11-8, 2-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-13;
Sanjay Singh bt Andrew Martin 11-3, 9-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-5;
Addeen Bahtiar bt Nell Van De Merwe 8-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-3
(Source: S.R. Suryanarayan, WUC Squash Media)