Laura Massaro leads number two seeds England
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad International Correspondent
Egypt are expected to reclaim the WSF Women’s World Team Squash Championship title next month in France according to the seedings announced today by the World Squash Federation.
The 20th championships will be staged in the suburb of Issy-les-Moulineaux and the French capital Paris from November 28 to December 3.
Seventeen nations will compete in the biennial World Squash Federation event, which is hosted by the Fédération Française de Squash and will take place at the historic Jeu De Paume and St Cloud Squash clubs, with final stages being held on an all-glass court at the Palais Des Sports Robert Charpentier.
Boasting three of the world’s top four players, 2008 and 2012 champions Egypt are predicted to meet reigning champions England in the final. England, seven times champions since 1985, won the 2014 title in Canada after beating first-time finalists Malaysia. The runners-up reached the climax after upsetting Egypt in the semi-finals.
Malaysia are the event’s third seeds, ahead of fourth seeds Hong Kong China. Hosts France, led by the current US and British Open champion Camille Serme and bidding to reach the final for the first time in the event’s 37-year history, are the No.5 seeds.
Australia, the sixth seeds, will be bidding to win the title for a record 10th time.
The squad to represent England comprises Laura Massaro (Captain), Alison Waters, Sarah-Jane Perry and Victoria Lust, writes DONNA HELMER.
Currently boasting four players in the world top 20, and led by World No.2 and 2014 World Champion Laura Massaro, Team England will be striving to defend the title they won in 2014 when the event was last held in Canada.
David Campion, National Senior Coach at England Squash commented: “We have selected a team we believe are strong contenders and have every chance of successfully defending our title. Laura and Alison have vast experience in World Team events, and both are in excellent form leading into these Championships.
“Sarah-Jane has recent back-to-back victories against two top five players, and Victoria Lust deservedly earns her selection having been a consistent performer on the World Tour throughout 2016.”
Team Captain Laura Massaro said: “I’m really looking forward to competing in France with the team. We compete as individuals most of the time so it’s great coming together as a team and supporting each other. Going in as defending champions means the pressure’s on us, but we are ready for the challenge.”
Women’s World Team Championships 2016, Paris:
Full Pool line-ups, including seedings:
Pool A: [1] EGYPT, [8] NEW ZEALAND, [9] INDIA, [13] JAPAN
Pool B: [2] ENGLAND, [7] USA, [10] CANADA, [14] MEXICO
Pool C: [3] MALAYSIA, [6] AUSTRALIA, [11] WALES, [16] AUSTRIA
Pool D: [4] HONG KONG CHINA, [5] FRANCE, [12] NETHERLANDS, [15] GERMANY, [17] SPAIN