Top seed Hong Kong, spearheaded by Asian singles champions Lau Tsz Kwan (men) and Ho Tze Lok (women), will be brimming with confidence ahead of the World Cup Squash, a mixed team competition, to be held at Express Avenue and the ISA courts from December 9 to 14.
However, Hong Kong will face stiff competition from the second seed India, who are banking on Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh to lead the challenge. Abhay, India’s top men’s player, sounded confident about the squad’s readiness.
“The team is in a good place and all our players are in good form. And with matches played to seven points instead of the usual eleven, it levels the playing field,” Abhay said.
He also warned that there would be no easy matches. “The Hong Kong boys are ranked inside the world’s top 55 — Lau is world No. 40 and Henry Leung Chi Hin is No. 55. There are a few Egyptian players who’ve had some great results over the last few years. No easy outings for any of us.”
Competing in the event for the first time, India’s women’s No.1 Anahat Singh admitted she would need time to adjust to the format.
“It’ll take me a few matches to get used to the format. We are just thinking about topping the pool and making sure we get a good draw for the quarterfinals,” she said. There will be four matches, two matches in men and two in women. The points format will be: In a tie if a player wins one match, the team gets one point.
India open its campaign against Switzerland on Tuesday.