Second seeds India signed off a best ever third at the 13th World Junior Squash team championships by defeating United States 2-1 in the bronze medal play-off in Chennai on Saturday.
Favourites Egypt expectedly defended their title while India improved their fourth-place finish in 2003, when they lost to England in the play-off in Cairo.
India fought off a strong challenge from the Americans before clinching the match 2-1, while Egypt made short work of Hong Kong with a 2-0 victory in the summit clash.
India's top junior star, Dipika Pallikal had no difficulty in beating American Olivia Blatchford 11-6, 11-7, 11-5.
With Surbhi Misra losing to Amanda Sobhy 3-11, 6-11, 12-10, 4-11, the match between Anaka Alankamony and Julie Cerullo turned out to be the decider.
In a see-saw battle, Alankamony held her nerves to get the better of Cerullo 3-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8.
Cerullo got her rhythm back in a splendid manner in the fourth game and took the match to the decider.
Alankamony, who was coasting to a victory when she led 8-3 in the decider was once again surprised as the American fought back to level the score, before the Indian took two points to race to match-ball.
Alankamony finished a rally with a drift to the back court and the American, who was looking for a 'let' call by the referees was disappointed.
Results:
Final: 1-Egypt beat 6-Hong Kong China 2-0 (Heba El Torky beat Tsz Ling Liu 11-6, 2-11, 11-5, 11-6; Nour El Sherbini beat Tsz Wing Tong 11-8, 11-6, 11-6; third singles not played).
For 3-4 positions: 2-India beat 5-USA 2-1 (Dipika Pallikal beat Olivia Blatchford 11-6, 11-7, 11-5; Surbhi Misra lost to Amanda Sobhy 3-11, 6-11, 12-10, 4-11; Anaka Alankamony beat Julie Cerullo 3-11, 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8).
Classification Matches: Canada beat England 2-0 (for 5-6 positions); Malaysia beat New Zealand 2-0 (for 7-8); France beat Germany 2-0 (for 9-10); Australia beat South Africa (for 11-12); The Netherlands beat Denmark (for 13-14); Sweden beat Spain (for 15-16).
