I think we are fielding our strongest team ever for these championships. With 3 players in the top 75 and Preston Quick backing us up, we have the deepest and certainly the youngest team we have fielded in quite a while. This is also the first time in...(ever?) that all 4 members are born in America and learned squash through the US Junior ranks.
The Men's Team for these championships are as follows:
Julian Illingworth has worked his way up to #33 in the rankings. He has shown a bit more consistency in the last year, losing only once in the past year to a player outside the top 40. He hopes to lead the team to a record finish in these games.
Gilly Lane will be making his debut for the US Men's team, just missing out last time while finishing up his last year at Penn. He has been moving up the rankings steadily and is looking for a few good wins over players in the top 50 now.
Chris Gordon has become a veteran on the US Men's team at the young age of 23. He has consolidated his ranking at around 75 and is looking to use his consistent play to give the US Team crucial wins it will need at #3.
Preston Quick is back on the team after not participating 2 years ago. The last time he played for the US he was the #1 player and has always stepped up his game in big events. Now mainly on the doubles tour, Preston's unorthodox style isn't seen often by most of these players and he has shown in the past the ability to hang with some of the best in the world.
The US is seeded 12, and with us in our pool is #5 Malaysia and unseeded Finland. This is one of the more interesting pools and presents us with both an opportunity and a risk. While Malaysia is strong at 1 and 2, Azlan and Benghee are not the most consistent players and they do drop off a bit at 3. It would be an unlikely win but not as far-fetched as some of the other top countries. We certainly will have a game on our hands and I would not be surprised if the 3rd match was a live one.
Meanwhile Finland I think it is fair to say is seeded lower than they probably should be. With tour veteran and top 20 player Olli Tuominen at 1 they have a chance against anyone at 1, and will be even money against Malaysia and favored against our team. Filling out their team is a few young guys who are starting on the tour now. Their #2 is especially dangerous, and I believe was seeded top 4 in the World Junior draw. He has been playing on their senior team for at least 4 years and is experienced in pressure situations.
There's a preview of the event from my perspective, I hope you all continue to tune in for further updates and posts as the event gets underway on Sunday.
- Julian Illingworth
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