DAY 1, AFTERNOON SESSION – AS IT HAPPENS

Live from Squash-Club Saint-Cloud, Jérôme Elhaïk reporting

Order of play 3-1-2

2pm

Pool B

England v Canada: 3-0

Sarah-Jane Perry bt Nikki Todd: 3-0 (11-7, 12-10, 11-7) – in 22 min

Laura Massaro bt Samantha Cornett: 3-0 (12-10, 11-9, 11-5) – in 28 min

Alison Waters bt Danielle Letourneau: 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-5) – in 23 min

Laura Massaro: “I am glad to win 3-nil, especially since I was down in the second. And I am happy with the way I played in the third. It was difficult to get used to the courts, I struggled to find my length. I haven’t played a tournament since the US Open, but it was good to have a break. I did some very good fitness training, and I’ve played a few league matches back home.“

USA bt Wales: 3-0

The first match saw two 19 year-old girls make their debut in their senior national team. Reeham Sedky lived up to her nickname “The Hammer” in the first game, but Lowri Roberts played some lovely squash in the second. The relentless power of her opponent was too much to handle in the last two though. Then we were treated with The match of the day here in Saint-Cloud: Amanda Sobhy versus Tesni Evans. The Welsh girl was absolutely on fire in the first game, hitting winners at will. Sobhy took control of proceedings in the next two, but Evans was able to claw back and it went to a decider. The higher-ranked player prevailed in the 5th (11-6) bringing the victory home on the first day of the tournament.

Reeham Sedky bt Lowri Roberts: 3-1 (11-3, 8-11, 11-5, 11-1) – in 34 min

Amanda Sobhy bt Tesni Evans: 3-2 (6-11,11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6) – in 55 min

Olivia Blatchford bt Nia Davies: 3-0 (11-4, 11-2, 11-3) – 19 min

Paul Assaiante (USA): “I thought the girls played really well today. Reeham, it was her first match in the senior team, once she was able to get over her nerves I thought she did great. Amanda was up against Tesni, one of the hardest young girls out there, and she played fantastic in the 3rd and 5th games. And Olivia did a great job as well. It’s great to have Thierry (Lincou) with us, he calms the girl down. Tomorrow we are facing England, one of the best teams in the world. So no pressure on us. Sabrina Sobhy hasn’t arrived yet because of some passport issues, but she’ll be with us tomorrow.“