The draws for the 2024 British Junior Open (BJO) in Birmingham have been released with Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria and Fayrouz Abouelkheir headlining the Boys and Girls Under 19 categories.
In all, there is a healthy participation from Egyptian juniors despite the Egypt Squash Federation previously admitting that players would have to pay to play following a foreign exchange shortage crisis.
The England Squash platinum event will feature 675 players from 49 nations with players from Egypt, USA, India and Pakistan favourites to lift the coveted titles across ten age categories.
World no. 78 and World Junior silver medallist Mohamed Zakaria is seeded to meet last year’s BU19 runner-up [2] Jonah Bryant of England in what could be a mouth-watering final showdown.
16-year-old Zakaria, who has three recent PSA back-to-back titles will have to navigate past current World Junior bronze medallist [3/4] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) in the last four, whilst former champion Bryant could lock horns with current German Open U19 champion [3/4] David Bernet (SUI).
World No.39 and World Junior bronze medalist Fayrouz Abouelkheir is seeded on the same side of the draw as former BJO runner-up [3/4] Janna Galal (EGY) before facing a potential final showdown with BJO U19 2022 runner-up and US Junior Open GU19 champion [2] Caroline Fouts (USA).
The BU17 draw predicts an all-Egyptian final with two former BJO champions [1] Youssef Salem and [2] Marwan Asal set to square off in what could be a repeat of this week’s US Junior Open BU17 final in which Asal prevailed in three tight games: 11-9, 11-8, 11-9. Lying in wait are 3/4 seeds Seifeldin Refaay (EGY) and Abdullah Nawaz (PAK).
GU17 top seed Anahat Singh (IND) is predicted to add a third BJO title to her medal haul. Looking to mount an upset is Dutch Junior Open 2022 GU19 champion [2] Nadien Elhammamy (EGY) who fell to Singh following a five-game last 16 thriller at the 2023 WSF World Junior Championships.
Egypt’s Philopater Saleh is in prime position to capture the BU15 crown and scheduled for a last four encounter with US Junior Open BU15 runner-up [3/4] Brendan Tagliarini (USA)
GU15 top seed Malika El Karaksy (EGY) is seeded to meet three-time English National champion [3/4] Mariam Eissa (Eng) ahead of a scheduled showdown with former BJO GU11 champion [2] Harleein Tan (MAS).
The BU13 draw predicts an all-Egyptian final with top seed Malek Helmy set to do battle with [2] Omar Mohamed. Meanwhile, three-time US Junior Open champion Vivienne Sze (USA) is seeded for a GU13 last two clash with [2] Layan Moustafa (EGY).
Pakistan’s Muhammad Harmas Ali Raja and US Junior Open 2023 GU11 champion Kaylee Li are favourites to lift the boys and girls under 11 titles respectively.
View the draws at britishjunioropen.com