The 2024 U.S. Junior Open Squash Championships, the world’s largest individual squash tournament with 1,007 players from fifty-one nations, concluded on Tuesday, December 17, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center. Three nations—Egypt, the United States, and Pakistan—shared the titles at this prestigious event.
For full results, visit the U.S. Junior Open tournament page. Live stream replays will be available on the US Squash YouTube Channel starting December 18. Photography from the tournament will be posted on the US Squash Smugmug page in the coming days.
Egypt Makes History in U19 Divisions
For the first time in the tournament’s thirty-five-year history, Egypt claimed both U19 titles. Top seed Marwan Assal, the 2023 BU17 champion, and Barb Sameh, both lived up to their seeding, winning their respective finals.
In the boys’ U19 final, Assal faced Argentina’s Segundo Portabales, the two seed. Portabales made an impressive run to the final, overcoming two 2-0 deficits in earlier rounds. Despite a valiant attempt to stage another comeback in the final, Portabales was ultimately defeated 11-4, 14-12, 4-11, 11-5 by Assal in a tense 50-minute match.
In the girls’ U19 division, Sameh made a commanding debut at the U.S. Junior Open, dropping just one game en route to the title. She triumphed over American sixth seed Charlotte Pastel in the final with a dominant 11-4, 11-2, 11-9 performance.
Ruqayya Salem Defends GU17 Title
Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem successfully defended her GU17 title. The top seed held off a strong challenge from 2023 GU15 champion Charlotte Sze, winning 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 11-2 in a competitive final.
Exciting BU17 Final
The BU17 final saw U.S. four seed Aiden Chiang face Egyptian three seed Michael Fayez. Fayez, who had come from behind in his semifinal, produced another dramatic comeback to claim the title 6-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7, completing the match in 63 minutes.
All-American Finals in U15 Divisions
In the U15 divisions, two all-American finals resulted in first-time U.S. Junior Open champions. In the girls’ final, second seed Isabella Tang defeated fourth seed Vivienne Sze (2023 GU13 champion) 12-10, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3. In the boys’ final, fourth seed John-Jayden Luo, from New Jersey, overcame third seed Vivaan Mehta of California 11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7.
Pakistan and Egypt Claim GU13 and BU13 Titles
In the GU13 final, Pakistan’s Mahnoor Ali upset Egypt’s top seed Linda Elsayed in a tightly contested match, winning 11-8, 12-10, 5-11, 11-6. Meanwhile, in the BU13 division, Egyptian two seed Malek Ahmed defeated top seed Adam Ragab in a dramatic five-game final, 4-11, 11-9, 11-2, 5-11, 11-3.
American Players Shine in GU11 and BU11 Divisions
The GU11 division saw a thrilling five-game final between the top two American seeds. Second seed Alice Wang made a strong comeback to defeat top seed Ariana Valerio 3-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 13-11. In the BU11 division, Pakistan’s top seed achieved a perfect title run, winning without dropping a game all tournament. He defeated American two seed Archibald Anolik 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 in the final.
The 2024 U.S. Junior Open Squash Championships showcased outstanding performances across all divisions, with Egypt, the U.S., and Pakistan emerging as the dominant forces in this global tournament.
