Mustonen & Perry Win Nordic Junior Open Titles In Malmo

There were mixed fortunes for last year's finalists in the 2008 Nordic Junior U19 Open, the opening Super Series event of the 2008/09 season's European Squash Federation Junior Circuit in Malmo, Sweden.

Finland's Henrik Mustonen, top seed in the men's U19 event, made up for the disappointment of finishing as runner-up in 2007 by winning the 2008 title. The 17-year-old reached the final after beating Belgian Sam van Brusselen in the semi-finals.

The Finn's surprise final opponent was Casper Grauballe, a 5/8 seed from Denmark who upset both second seed Florian Silbernagl (Germany) and 3/4 seed Lucas Vauzelle (France) to reach the climax.

But Mustonen was too strong for the 17-year-old from Copenhagen, winning 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 to clinch the first ESF U19 Circuit title of his career.

By contrast, 2007 women's U19 champion Kimberley Hay was unable to repeat her Malmo success a year later. Seeded two, the 16-year-old from Newcastle faced England junior team-mate Sarah-Jane Perry, the top seed, in the final.

Perry, 18, from Kenilworth, dropped the first two games - but fought back to beat Hay 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 to clinch her second ESF circuit title, after winning the Scottish U19 Junior Open crown in December.

Men's Final:
[1] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) bt [5/8] Casper Grauballe (DEN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7

Women's Final:
[1] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [2] Kimberley Hay (ENG) 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8