KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian girls' team beat India 2-1 to qualify for the semi-finals of the World Junior Squash Championships in Houston, Texas, yesterday.
Third-seeded Malaysia, who won the silver in Melbourne last year, will face second seeds the United States for a place in the final.
The Americans outplayed England 3-0 in the quarter-finals. The other semi-final will see top seeds and defending champions Egypt meet joint fifth seed Canada.
Malaysia's Whitney Isabelle Wilson got the ball rolling against India with a 11-7, 11-3, 12-10 win over Shameena Riaz. But India levelled the score with Anahat Singh beating Asian Under-19 champion U. Thanussa 6-11, 15-13, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6. Doyce Lee was stretched to the limit by Nirupama Dubey before prevailing 11-7, 7-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-3.
Team manager Major (rtd) S. Maniam said he is proud of the three girls for playing their hearts out to reach the semi-finals.
"The girls are all charged up, and they will be giving their best against the United States."
Doyce said: "We have no pressure against the hosts. We will keep fighting and try our best to get the better of them."
In the boys' competition, second seeds Malaysia beat France 2-0 in the playoff for ninth to 16th place, and will face Australia next.
Maniam said France "forgot" to submit their line-up for the match against Malaysia, and as a result, they moved their No. 2 and No. 3 players up, and forfeited the third match. Low Wa Sern beat Thomas Garcia 11-4, 11-5, 11-8 and M. Nickhileswar received a walkover.