Egypt & Hong Kong Share Welsh Junior Open Titles

Favourites Karim AGA Samy, from Egypt, and Annie Au, from Hong Kong, lifted the U19 titles in the Welsh Junior Open for the first time at St Mellons Country Club in Cardiff.

Au, fresh from her maiden success in the Asian Junior Championships on home soil last month, reached the final after dropping just two points in the previous two rounds.

But the 18-year-old left-hander faced a surprise Welsh opponent in the final: Unseeded Natalie Pritchard took out both England's 3/4 seed Kirsty West and second-seeded compatriot Bethan Williams on her way to the climax.

Au, however, was too strong for the 16-year-old, winning 9-3, 9-3, 9-4.

Both men's finalists overcame 9/16 seeds in the semi-finals - top seed Samy prevailing 9-6, 9-3, 9-4 over Welshman Jonathan Jones, and Alistair Mutch beating fellow Welshman Jonathan Davies 9-4, 9-4, 9-7.

Mutch, a 5/8 seed, twice led in the final. But Samy, a 17-year-old UK-based Egyptian, ultimately pulled through to win 8-10, 9-1, 7-9, 9-5, 9-7.

Men's U19 Final:
[1] Karim AGA Samy (EGY) bt [5/8] Alistair Mutch (WAL) 8-10, 9-1, 7-9, 9-5, 9-7

Women's U19 Final:
[1] Annie Au (HKG) bt Natalie Pritchard (WAL) 9-3, 9-3, 9-4