Tough week for men’s team in Hong Kong

Australia headed into the Men’s World Team Championships knowing they would have a tough week ahead, and so it proved with the depth of international squash on full display in Hong Kong.

The draw presented a ruthless three-team pool format with the opening match against South Africa certain to be crucial to Australia’s chances of progressing.

While Rhys Dowling edged past his opponent in five-games,  Joe White and Dylan Molinaro fell in hard-fought encounters setting up a tough final pool match against Switzerland.

Led by World #23 Nicolas Mueller, the Swiss were too strong on day two, leaving Australia at the bottom of Group D and pushed into the 17th-26th playoffs.

In their pool showdown of the next phase, Peru - headlined by former world number one Diego Elias - were too strong and scored a 2-1 win.

Australia could still finish as high as 20th if they could win their final pool match against Ireland, however Joe White was the only player who could manage a victory in the 1-2 loss.

This pushed Australia into the 23rd-26th playoffs and a showdown with China.

White and Molinaro were able to make short of their opponents to secure the win, before debutant Brendan MacDonald earned his first victory of the tournament in the dead rubber best-of-three match.

Australia kept up it’s renewed form on the final day of competition, taking 23rd place after White and MacDonald again scored victories in under half an hour to defeat Philippines.

While Australia’s 2-4 win-loss record was identical to their performance in New Zealand last year, four straight losses to start the tournament saw them finish down to classifications.

“World Teams is a tough event due to the depth across all participating nations and unfortunately that opening loss to South Africa put us out of the knockout stages,” said Lachlan Johnston, Squash Australia High Performance Director. “We’re not shying away from the fact it was a disappointing result and the guys know their true level is better than they were able to show this week.

“What’s important now is that we take the learnings from this week and be really targeted with how we make the necessary improvements, not only for the next WTC in 2026, but for our LA28 campaign as well."

2024 WSF MEN’S WORLD TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP
Hong Kong Football Club, Hong Kong CHN
9-15 December 2024

Group D
South Africa d Australia 2-1
Switzerland d Australia 3-0

17th-26th Group C
Peru d Australia 2-1
Ireland d Australia 2-1

23rd-26th Semi-Final
Australia d China 3-0

23rd Place Playoff
Australia d Philippines 2-0