Last 16

The morning began with three scintillating matches: Olivia Blatchford started the day off well for the USA by decisively defeating her admirable opponent Rachel Goh of Malaysia in three games. Next up, Amanda Sohby had an incredible win when she stormed her way through to the round of 16, overcoming the number three seed Laura Gemmel of Canada in four tight games. Wrapping up the morning matches was Libby Eyre, who, after dropping the first game, came back with a vengeance and beat the number one player for England, Kimberly Hay. Putting three players in the last 16 demonstrates the progress squash has made in the US few years. After the morning session, everyone filed back into the vans and went to the hotel to prepare for the evening matches. First up was Olivia Blatchford once again, who fought extremely hard but eventually fell to Salma Hany of Egypt in three tight games. Next, Amanda Sohby lost a tough one to Kanzy El Defrawy, also from Egypt, in three games. Right after that Libby Eyre faced the eighth seed from Pakistan, Maria Toor Pakay, and unfortunately fell in three games. Although these three girls have completed their journey at the individual event, they had incredible results and represented the USA in the best possible way. Needless to say they should be very proud of themselves. On the next court over, Julie Cerullo played solidly and took down her opponent from Malaysia, Yong Sue Ann, in three games. Haley Mendez lost the first two games to Anne Jongerden of the Netherlands only to come back with a hard fight and win the next three. Yarden Odinak’s first match of the day started off strong when she won the first game against Ana Arosa Rodriguez from Spain. Although she lost the second game, she tired out her opponent and easily took the next two. Next, Lexi Saunders had a tough battle with Sarah Cardwell of Australia, where they continuously went back and forth, but in the end Lexi fell in the fifth. Finally, Natasha Kingshott ended the day against Nada Elkawaay of Egypt, where she lost in three games. Overall, the girls gave every match a hundred percent and proved the powers of USA squash. The tired players and even more exhausted coaches went back to the hotel feeling satisfied with their days work. Tomorrow Julie, Haley, and Yarden will continue to fight through the tournament. GO USA!!!

Yarden and Libby