Expectedly and deservedly, Egypt, the top seed, bagged the SDAT-WSF Squash World Cup at the Express Avenue Mall here on Saturday, with a thumping 4-1 win on points over Malaysia, seeded fourth, in the final. Egypt had won the World Cup when it was last held here in 2011.
Malaysia was brimming with confidence especially after the upset victory over host India the other day, but the defending champion came roaring back after losing the first match to win the remaining two.
The first tie went in favour of Malaysia with the left-hander Xin Ying Yee, ranked 79 in the world, putting it across Kenzy Ayman, ranked 56, in three straight games.
On a high: Kenzy Ayman, Aly Abou El Einen, Fayrouz Abouelkheir and Karim El Hammamy of Egypt after their title win in the Squash World Cup at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai on Saturday, June 17, 2023. | Photo Credit: RAVINDRAN R
With a huge backswing, the Malaysian generated a lot of power and speed in her strokes and at times, was cunning with her delicate drops and double boast. Kenzy found it difficult to read Yee’s game properly.
Down a match, it was left to top seed Aly Abou El Einen to level things and he delivered in style, defeating an energetic Darren Pragasam in three straight games. After a sensational game against India’s Saurav Ghosal on Friday, much was expected from the Malaysian, but Abou played a notch higher.
Egypt’s Aly Abou EI Einen plays against Malaysia’s Darren Pragasam during the finals of the SDAT WSF Squash World Cup held in Chennai on June 17, 2023. | Photo Credit: AFP
There were a few positives from Darren, especially his backhand drops from the backcourt and his impressive court-craft. Abou, however, remained largely in control of the rallies. The turning point for Egypt emerged in the second game.
At 6-6, Darren hit what looked like a clean backhand down-the-line winner. Abou fell claiming that he was inadvertently hit on the face by Darren’s racquet. The Egyptian took an injury time-out and returned to win the second and third game, the match and the tie.
The lone hope for Malaysia was 18-year-old Aira Azman, who took on Fayrouz Abukhdeir in the third match. Surprisingly, she looked deflated and not motivated enough especially in the first two games. She fought hard to win the third game, but Fayrouz appeared determined to close out the game and the match.
Egypt’s Fayrouz Abouelkheir in action during their team final match, at World Squash Federation (WSF) World Cup 2023, in Chennai, Saturday, June 17, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI
Mohamed Elkeiy, Egyptian coach said the key was the team’s meticulous planning and execution. “We beat them 3-1 in the group match. We knew it was going to be a fight. We were ready to win some matches that we lost earlier,” he said.
Later, M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, gave away the prizes.
The result: Egypt bt Malaysia (4-1 on points) (Kenzy Ayman lost to Xin Ying Yee 4-7, 5-7, 6-7; Aly Abou El Einen bt Darren Pragasam 7-3, 7-6, 7-4; Fayrouz Abouelkheir bt Aira Azman 7-4, 7-5, 6-7,7-6).
