France End 26-Year Wait To Make World Junior Team Semis

France's men's team reached the last four of the World Junior Team Championships for the first time in 26 years after a thrilling victory over three-time semi-finalists Malaysia on day four of the World Squash Federation championships in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.

In one of the standout quarter-final ties at White Oaks Resort & Spa, the fourth seeds stole the headlines by beating No.6 seeds Malaysia 2/0 to secure their first semi-final appearance since 2000.

France made the perfect start through No.1 string Amir Khaled-Jousselin, who produced an outstanding performance to defeat Nickhileswar Moganasundharam 11-6, 11-9, 11-3 in a high-quality contest.

Second string Théo Baudry put France within touching distance of the semi-finals after taking a 2/1 lead against Altamis Sufian - but the Malaysian refused to go down without a fight.

The fourth game developed into a tense, end-to-end battle, with neither player willing to surrender an inch of court. Despite Sufian's resistance, Baudry held his nerve in the closing stages to seal an 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9 victory, to a wave of celebrations from the French team.

"The boys are too young to remember the previous semi-final, but they knew they could make history today, and they did it," said national coach Renan Lavigne, who represented France in both the 1990 and 1992 championships.

"We knew that Amir would be able to put us in the lead, and we know that Théo is mentally very strong.

"And knowing that Théo had already played his opponent in the individual consolation rounds, so we studied that match and his opponent and it paid off today."

"It is a great feeling for the whole team. It feels amazing," Lavigne concluded.

France will now face defending champions Egypt, who progressed with an entertaining 2/0 victory over No.7 seeds Pakistan on the glass court.

The other men's semi will feature second seeds USA and India, after fifth seeds India upset former champions England, the fourth seeds, 2/1

Meanwhile, in the women's draw, the No.3 seeds USA came from behind to defeat India and reach the semi-finals.

India made the stronger start, with No.1 string and reigning World Junior Champion Anahat Singh defeating Diya Yadav in straight games. However, they were unable to build on the early advantage as Charlotte Sze levelled the tie by overcoming Rudra Singh 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 to force a deciding match.

With momentum firmly on the USA's side, No.3 string Lily Bourell sealed her team's place in the final four with a straight games victory over Anika Dubey. The USA women's team will now face defending champions Egypt, who advanced to the semis with an impressive 3/0 victory over Australia.

Joining them in tomorrow's action will be the USA men's team, who also progressed to the semi-finals after defeating No.8 seeds Japan, who were making their first quarter-final appearance in 14 years.

Elsewhere, No.2 seeds Hong Kong continued their pursuit of the women's World Junior Team title with a convincing victory over hosts Canada.

Helen Tang gave Hong Kong the perfect start with a straight-games victory over Wing Kai Gladys Ho before Ena Kwong secured the tie by defeating Veera Dhaliwal 3/0 to book her team's place in the semi-finals.

Hong Kong will now take on No.4 seeds Malaysia, who reached the final four after overcoming No.6 seeds England. Whitney Wilson laid the foundations for Malaysia's victory by defeating Emily Coulcher-Porter 3/1 before Harleein Tan wrapped up the tie with an 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 victory over Reka Kemecsei.