Hosts New Zealand (pic) pulled off their third successive win in the pool stages of the Women’s World Team Squash Championship by upsetting Malaysia to finish in top place in Pool D in Palmerston North. The fifth-seeded Kiwis beat fourth seeds Malaysia 2/1 – a crucial win which ensures that the home team have avoided playing one of the top three seeds in the quarter-finals. Joelle King was first on court and beat Malaysia’s world No16 Low Wee Wern 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9. It was all on Shelley Kitchen to seal the tie with a victory over world No21 Delia Arnold. Kitchen, who turns 31 tomorrow – and is competing in her first international event since the birth of her daughter Amalia in February – started the celebrations early with a stunning 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 victory. David then completed the expected victory over Hawkes, winning 11-3, 11-5, 11-5. Quarter-final line-up: [1] ENGLAND v [7] IRELAND, [5] NEW ZEALAND v [6] FRANCE, [3] EGYPT v [4] MALAYSIA, [2] AUSTRALIA v [9] USA.
