USA tops Austria

The 9th seeded U.S. Women's team won 3-0 against the 16th seeded Austria to set up the climactic final pool match tomorrow (12/1) against 8th seeded Holland. The winner of the USA/Holland match will join England and 6 other countries, the winners and finalists from 3 other pools, in a draw to determine the final top 8 spots. Losing to Holland will place the US in a draw to determine final spots 9th-16th. USA must win tomorrow's match with Holland to get into the top 8.
According to current world rankings, it will be a very close match. First on in the #2 spot for the US will be Latasha Khan (World #25) coming up against Annelize Naude (World #39). The number 3s play next with Amanda Sobhy (World #26) playing Orla Noom (World #42). The last match will be the #1s with Natalie Grainger (World#32, but a former world #1 who took some time off due to an injury) against Vanessa Atkinson (World #8). The current world ranking may suggest a win for the US, but the women's professional game is so deep that all these matches can be a toss-up. Also, the World Squash Federation has the Dutch seeded above the USA.

The results from today's match against Austria are as follows:

#3 Olivia Blatchford beat Judith Gradnitzer
11-9, 11-3, 11-7

#1 Latasha Khan Beat Birgit Coufal
11-8, 11-7, 11-8

#2 Amanda Sobhy beat Sandra Polak
11-4, 11-5, 11-2

Natalie Grainger - sat out from today's match.

For more information, go to:
www.womensworldsquash2010.co.nz

Chinner
Richard Chin
Interim Coach/Manager
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