Withington and Orfi capture British Junior Open Under 19 titles in Birmingham

England’s Finnlay Withington and Egypt’s Amina Orfi claimed the British Junior Open Under 19 titles last night after overcoming compatriots Jonah Bryant and Fayrouz Aboelkheir respectively in entertaining finals at the University of Birmingham Sport.

No.2 seed Withington started the better of the two Englishmen in the boys final as he moved the ball around the court with great precision to test the movement and physical capabilities of Bryant early on in the match. Withington’s accuracy and severity was rewarded as he took a huge 2-0 lead, winning 11-3, 11-4 in the opening two games to place one hand on the trophy. Despite a better showing from 9/16 seed Bryant in the third game, Withington was too sharp on the day as he sealed the game 11-8 to claim his maiden British Junior Open title.

Withington said: “I’m really happy, I can’t put it into words. It’s a bit of relief! I stuck to the game plan and just played really well. It’s always a hard game with Jonah, I didn’t really let him into the game. Towards the end I got a bit nervous to try and close it out but luckily I did.”

The all-Egyptian girls final was as fiercely contested as expected with both girls leaving it all out on the court and determined to get their hands on the trophy. 15-year-old Orfi found herself 2-1 down to No.2 seed Aboelkheir but as she so often does in British Junior Open finals, found a way to win. She stepped up the court to take time away from her compatriot and stormed to victory by winning the final two games 11-2, 11-6 to claim her fourth British Junior Open title.

“Playing with her [Fayrouz Aboelkheir] is always more mental than it is tactical and physical,” said Orfi after her win.

“There’s a lot going on in Egypt and we’re main rivals and some people cheer for me and some for her, so beating her again for a second time this season is a huge win for me.”

Top-seeded Egyptian Youssef Salem claimed the boys under 17 title after he defeated compatriot Eyad Hossam in a four-game contest. Hossam captured the first game 11-9 but was unable to continue his momentum as Salem moved through the gears to take the next three games and take the title. The U.S captured their second title of the day as 3/4 seed Madison Ho overcame Egypt’s Malak Khafagy in straight games to lift the title. Ho established a 2-0 lead and secured a nail-biting third game 14-12 to win the match.

India’s No.1 seed Anahat Singh produced a terrific performance to capture the girls under 15 title as she beat Egypt’s 3/4 seed Sohaila Hazem in four games. With the score level at 1-1, Singh stepped up her game to charge towards the finishing line, winning 11-7, 11-5 to seal the win. Egyptian success was guaranteed in the boys category as No.2 seed Marwan Asal took on compatriot and 9/16 seed Seif Refaay for the title. Asal produced a dominant display to completely nullify Refaay’s attacks and limited the surprise finalist to just 19 minutes on court.

All but one of the top seeds prevailed in the under 13 and 11 categories as Egyptian duo Talia Sherif and Hazem Sarwat claimed the under 11 titles, beating compatriots Lilly Mashaal and Malek Ahmed respectively. USA’s Carlton Capella recovered from a game down to beat Pakistan’s Nauman Khan in the boys under 13s final. The upset came in the girls draw as 3/4 seed Habiba Rizk defeated fellow Egyptian and No.1 seed Malika Taymour in straight games to lift the trophy.

Results – British Junior Open 2023 finals

G11   [1] Talia Sherif (Egy) 3-2 Lilly Mashaal (Egy)  11-7, 7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-2 (30m)
B11   [1] Hazem Sarwat (Egy) 3-1 [3/4] Malek Ahmed (Egy)  11-9, 10-12, 11-2, 11-1 (30m)

G13  [3/4] Habiba Rizk (Egy) 3-0 [1] Malika Taymour (Egy)  11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (24m)
B13   [1] Carlton Capella (Usa) 3-1 [5/8] Nauman Khan (Pak)  7-11, 14-12, 11-9, 11-9 (36m)

G15   [1] Anahat Singh (Ind) 3-1 [3/4] Sohaila Hazem (Egy)  11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5 (28m)
B15   [2] Marwan Asal (Egy) 3-0 [9/16] Seif Refaay (Egy)    11-3, 11-5, 11-4 (19m)

G17   [3/4] Madison Ho (Usa) 3-0 [3/4] Nour Khafagy (Egy)  11-8, 11-8, 14-12 (38m)
B17   [1] Youssef Salem (Egy) 3-1 [3/4] Eyad Hossam (Egy)  9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 (45m)

G19   [1] Amina Orfi (Egy) 3-2 [2] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (Egy)  6-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-2, 11-6 (49m)
B19   [2] Finnlay Withington (Eng) 3-0 [9/16] Jonah Bryant (Eng)  11-3, 11-4, 11-8 (36m)