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13/01/2020
Dunlop British Junior Open 2020
2019
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Dunlop British Junior Open 2020
02 - 06 Jan
Manchester, England |
Egypt dominate thrilling finals day at Dunlop British
Junior Open
Favourites Egypt lived up to their billing on finals day of the 2020
Dunlop British Junior Open (BJO) in Birmingham.
The tears and tantrums of the past few days were replaced with
triumphant smiles as some added to their BJO tallies, others won for the
first time and there was even a first title for Pakistan since 2012.
On a day dominated by Egypt with seven trophies in 10 finals, in the
pick of the encounters GU19 second seed and three-time BJO champion Aifa
Azman was denied a fourth by top seed Jana Shiha winning in straight
games 11-7, 11-6, 16-14.
World number 78 Shiha’s power hitting and deft touch when required to
save two game balls in the third extended her winning streak to 21 and
brought the 18-year-old a maiden BJO title.
“It feels great, I have dreamt of winning this tournament since I was
10!” said Shiha.
Egyptian top seed Moustafa El Sirty also won his first BJO crown by
seeing off another three-time champion, second-seeded compatriot Yahya
Elnawasany 3-0 in a little over 30 minutes.
El Sirty said: “It’s an awesome feeling! I have always dreamed of
achieving this title so it's a dream come true."
Both Egyptian boys U13 finalists [2] Youssef Salem and [9/16] Ahmed
Rashed used every inch of the court and every angle possible as the
second seed came back from a game down to win in four:11-13, 11-3, 11-5,
11-5 - the only match to go beyond three games.
Salem almost got more relaxed as the match went on and his calm
demeanour was key against the free-hitting Rashed.
The day’s only upset belonged to GU11 [3/4] Harleein Tan of Malaysia who
overcame home hope [2] Mariam Eissa 3-0 while BU11 [2] Yassin Kouritam (Egy)
beat [3/4] Seif Belal El Shal (Egy) 3-0.
GU13 top seed Amina Orfi won her third BJO trophy after making light
work of India’s [3/4] Anahat Singh 3-0: 11-0, 11-1, 11-4 to claim
Egypt’s second title of the day.
“I’m feeling really happy because I’ve won the tournament three times in
a row,” said Orfi.
GU15 second seed Fayrouz Abouelkheir (Egypt) made amends for final
losses in the U13 event the last two years as she completed the perfect
tournament by not losing a game.
The 13-year-old was too hot to handle for [5/8] compatriot Malak Taha,
coming through in three in 20 minutes.
Pakistan’s BU15 [2] Muhammad Humza Khan then followed Abouelkheir’s
achievement with a perfect streak of his own, showing no signs of nerves
as he downed England’s [5/8] Yusuf Sheikh 3-0 in his first BJO final,
also his country’s first win since 2012.
The volume went up a few notches as the older age groups took to the
court, the day’s fourth all-Egyptian clash in the GU17 providing [2]
Sana Ibrahim with her shot at a first BJO title since 2016 to make up
for her runner-up finish in 2018.
Ibrahim saved a game ball for [3/4] Nour Khaled Aboulmakarim in the
third game to register a 3-0 victory 11-4, 11-9, 12-10, the friends
hugging warmly as they went off court.
In a complete contrast, Yorkshire BU17 Sam Todd [1] outplayed the
patient Malaysian [5/8] Ishant Shah in three: 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 in 26
minutes with rallies noticeably longer than any match prior on the day.
The BJO title was Todd’s third, adding to wins at U15 and U13s, his
recent experience on the PSA Tour proving vital as he was rarely tested
by the steady rhythm of Shah.
“I was very happy with the way I played. I didn’t let him get in the
match and I thought I was very solid throughout. Overall, I’m just very
happy, “said the 16-year-old, England’s first winner in the age category
since James Willstrop in 2000.
Dunlop British Junior Open 2020: final results
GU11 [3/4] Harleein Tan (Mas) 3-0 [2] Mariam Eissa (Eng) 11-6, 11-9,
12-10
BU11 [2] Yassin Kouritam (Egy) 3-0 [3/4] Seif Belal El Shal (Egy) 11-9,
11-6, 11-7
GU13 [1] Amina Orfi (Egy) 3-0 [3/4] Anahat Singh (Ind) 11-0, 11-1, 11-4
BU13 [2] Youssef Salem (Egy) 3-1 [9/16] Ahmed Rashed (Egy) 11-13, 11-3,
11-5, 11-5
GU15 [2] Fayrouz Abouelkheir (Egy) 3-0 [5/8] Malak Taha (Egy) 11-5,
11-4, 11-9
BU15 [2] Muhammad Humza Khan (Pak) 3-0 [5/8] Yusuf Sheikh (Eng) 11-4,
11-3, 11-7
GU17 [2] Sana Ibrahim (Egy) 3-0 [3/4] Nour Khaled Aboulmakarim (Egy)
11-4, 11-9, 12-10
BU17 [1] Sam Todd (Eng) 3-0 [5/8] Ishant Shah (Mas) 11-4, 11-2, 11-2
GU19 [1] Jana Shiha (Egy) 3-0 [2] Aifa Azman (Mas) 11-7, 11-6, 16-14
BU19 [1] Moustafa El Sirty (Egy) 3-0 [2] Yahya Elnawasany (Egy) 11-8,
11-5, 11-7
Full Reports on BJO Official Website |
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