On a excessive: Kenzy Ayman, Aly Abou El Einen, Fayrouz Abouelkheir and Karim El Hammamy of Egypt after their title win within the Squash World Cup on the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
| Photo Credit: RAVINDRAN R
Expectedly and deservedly, Egypt, the highest seed, bagged the SDAT-WSF Squash World Cup on the Express Avenue Mall right here on Saturday, with a thumping 4-1 win on factors over Malaysia, seeded fourth, within the closing. Egypt had received the World Cup when it was final held right here in 2011.
Malaysia was brimming with confidence particularly after the upset victory over host India the opposite day, however the defending champion got here roaring again after dropping the primary match to win the remaining two.
The first tie went in favour of Malaysia with the left-hander Xin Ying Yee, ranked 79 on the planet, placing it throughout Kenzy Ayman, ranked 56, in three straight video games.
With an enormous backswing, the Malaysian generated quite a lot of energy and pace in her strokes and at occasions, was crafty with her delicate drops and double boast. Kenzy discovered it troublesome to learn Yee’s recreation correctly.
Down a match, it was left to prime seed Aly Abou El Einen to degree issues and he delivered in model, defeating an brisk Darren Pragasam in three straight video games. After a sensational recreation towards India’s Saurav Ghosal on Friday, a lot was anticipated from the Malaysian, however Abou performed a notch increased.
Egypt’s Aly Abou EI Einen performs towards Malaysia’s Darren Pragasam throughout the finals of the SDAT WSF Squash World Cup held in Chennai on June 17, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
There had been a number of positives from Darren, particularly his backhand drops from the backcourt and his spectacular court-craft. Abou, nonetheless, remained largely answerable for the rallies. The turning level for Egypt emerged within the second recreation.
At 6-6, Darren hit what regarded like a clear backhand down-the-line winner. Abou fell claiming that he was inadvertently hit on the face by Darren’s racquet. The Egyptian took an damage time-out and returned to win the second and third recreation, the match and the tie.
The lone hope for Malaysia was 18-year-old Aira Azman, who took on Fayrouz Abukhdeir within the third match. Surprisingly, she regarded deflated and never motivated sufficient particularly within the first two video games. She fought exhausting to win the third recreation, however Fayrouz appeared decided to shut out the sport and the match.
Egypt’s Fayrouz Abouelkheir in motion throughout their staff closing match, at World Squash Federation (WSF) World Cup 2023, in Chennai, Saturday, June 17, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Mohamed Elkeiy, Egyptian coach mentioned the important thing was the staff’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 mentioned.
Later, M. Okay. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, gave away the prizes.
The result: Egypt bt Malaysia (4-1 on factors) (Kenzy Ayman misplaced 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).