DAY 6 5TH PLACE PLAY-OFF USA v MALAYSIA

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 5TH PLACE  FOR USA

The order of play being 1, 2 , 3  for today’s matches,  Nicol David  and Amanda Sobhy started off the day’s events. A determined-looking Sobhy took the first 11-6. In the second, David got off to a good start leading 3-0 but Sobhy came back to level at 3-3. A few good shots showed David’s fighting spirit and she went  to take the game 11-5. A close third with some great rallies gave the advantage to Sobhy 2-1. The former world number 1 came back and  took the fourth 11-6 with some amazing shots. 2  games all. A very thrilling final game gave victory to Sobhy –   11-6, 5-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-9  – putting an end to Nicol David’s incredible run of  38 matches unbeaten in the World Women’s Teams.

Comments after the game:

” Amanda was suffering from the tremendous pace that Nicol has. She had to step back and put up another game and just take one point at a time, there was such mental effort involved.  Even though she was feeling it physically, she had to be smart enough and be clear in her head to push through and to choose the right shots”.

Thierry Lincou, USA National Coach

“I just told myself that I needed to be ahead by a point but I had two lucky bounces and that was my early Christmas present. I was so happy. Nicol is so tough mentally. Every time you play her you know that you are going to have a tough battle with her. She gives everything. I just told myself to hang in there.”

Amanda Sobhy

The second match opposed  Reeham Sedky and Delia Arnold. Sedky won the first  7-11.  In the next two games, Sedky seemed a little unnerved by some unfavourable decisions and Arnold came back to win both games – 9-11, 11-13.  At 6-7 in the  fourth, Sedky went off due to injury but finally won the game 12-10.  Sedky clinched the 5th  leading her team to victory and enabling the USA to take 5th place in the Championship – 11-7, 9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-8.

Comments after the game:

” I’m kind of speechless. There are some amazing people here. I put in everything that I’ve got on court. I think it showed all the hard work I’ve put in. I love just being with the team. It’s so nice. We are so close to each other. It’s a great tournament. Thierry is an amazing coach. He knows exactly what to tell you between games. He’s great. We were seeded 7th so we have exceeded our expectataions”.

Reeham Sedky

The teams decided to play the third match which Rachel Arnold won in straight games 11-6, 11-9, 11-6.

Final score : 3-0 for the USA.