Top Seeds Triumph In Pioneer Junior Open

Top seeds Low Wee Nee and Henrik Mustonen triumphed in the Pioneer Junior U19 Open - but the Malaysian and Finn, respectively, had to overcome surprise opponents in the finals of one of the leading European Squash Federation Junior Circuit events of the season at the ACR Sportcenter in Cologne, Germany.

Mustonen, a semi-finalist twelve months ago, faced Englishman Charles Sharpes in the men's final. The No7 seed from London was in sparkling form - despatching second-seeded Frenchman Lucas Serme in the quarter-finals before upsetting Germany's Rudi Rohrmuller, the No3 seed, in the semis.

But Mustonen posed a match too far for the 17-year-old, beating Sharpes 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 to add the Pioneer Cup to the Nordic Junior U19 Open crown he won last year.

Colombian Catalina Pelaez carved out a similar path in the women's event. The sixth seed followed a shock straight games quarter-final victory over third seed Emilie Lamilango by overcoming England's second seed Kimberley Hay to earn a place in the final.

But 17-year-old favourite Low Wee Nee, who had removed fellow countrywomen in the two previous rounds, battled to a four-game win over the 17-year-old from Bogota - beating Pelaez 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6 to claim her maiden ESF junior title.

Men's Final:
[1] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) bt [7] Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-6, 11-9, 11-7

Women's Final:
[1] Low Wee Nee (MAS) bt [6] Catalina Pelaez (COL) 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6