KUALA LUMPUR – With the business end well on its way, the competition is heating up for the title of overall champions of the World University Squash Championship (WUSC) 2016, held for the first time in Malaysia.
The nation’s iconic squash venue, the glass courts of the Nicol David Arena in Bukit Jalil will see a battle royale featuring hosts, Malaysia, and main challengers, Hong Kong, Japan and surprise package, South Africa.
With a win each in the men’s individual event for Hong Kong through Tsz Fung Yip from Hong Kong and Low Wee Wern (women’s event), the stage is set for these two countries to do battle in the semi-finals tomorrow.
The withdrawal of Egypt, the defending champions due to unfortunate circumstances has opened the door for both Asian countries to stake a claim as the best team in the world’s premier varsity tournament.
Hosts, Malaysia, the second seeds received a bye in the first round and negotiated their first obstacle in the quarter finals, seventh seeds, Switzerland 2-0.
First seeds, Hong Kong have also received a bye in the opening round and achieved the minimum with a 3-0 win over ninth seeds, Australia. Their opponents, Japan was also not troubled with a comfortable 2-0 scoreline over Korea.
But the story of the day was reserved for sixth seeds, South Africa who achieved the biggest upset of WUSC 2016 as they ousted third seeds, Great Britain 2-1.
Their winning point was secured by Daniel Smith who came back from two games down to defeat Robin Matthew, 5-11, 9-11, 13-11, 12-10, 11-4 in a titanic battle lasting 51 minutes.
“I was very nervous initially, 2-0 down, but the team helped me up, gave me the back up support and slowly I inched my way point. Didn’t think so much about the result, big thanks to the crowd who gave their fantastic support,” he added.
‘Tigers’ assault on overall title continues with semis over South Africa
Host Malaysia’s assault on the overall title continues in the World University Squash Championship (WUSC) 2016 today with a comfortable 2-0 over Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the mixed-team event.
The 2014 bronze medallist in Chennai who were given a bye in the first round were hardly troubled by the seventh seeds, Swiss making their debut at WUSC, closing up the tie after the first two matches.
First singles, Muhammad Addeen Idrakie suffered a slight hiccup before prevailing 11-8, 5-11, 11-3, 11-7 in 39 minutes over Robin Gadola.
Newly crowned champion, Low Wee Wern was also in her element, taking only 18 minutes to despatch Nadine Frey, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3 to seal their place in the last four.
The ‘Tigers’ could even afford to rest finalist of the men’s individual event, Ivan Yuen for tomorrow’s tie against surprise semi-finalists, South Africa.
“Ivan was rested today after losing the final yesterday since he was involved in quite a tough match and it was important for us for him to recover for the semi-final. Obviously, either Sanjay (Singh Chal) or (Muhammad) Addeen will be up as the second singles, it all depends on discussions with team manager (Faris Mahmood),” said national coach, Ong Beng Hee.
Tomorrow’s semi-final tie will go a long way in deciding the destiny of the overall title. Playing on their own turf, in the legendary glass courts of the Nicol David Arena, the ‘Tigers’ will certainly hope for better luck this time around as they seek to improve on their achievement two years, defeating South Africa 2-1 in the ¾ placing match.
(Source WUC Squash OC)
RESULTS
The event results can be followed here.
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