Baltayan Singlehandedly Carries European Interest Into British Junior Open Finals

While Egypt will have 17 of the 20 finalists at the 2026 Alpha Bravo Construction British Junior Open in Birmingham, France's Lauren Baltayan will be the sole representative of the 'home' region Europe.

Indeed, the only final not to feature an Egyptian will be in the GU19 event, which will see a meeting of the top two seeds, India's Anahat Singh and Baltayan. Singh took care of Egypt's Malika Elkaraksy 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 while European junior champion Baltayan reached her first BJO final at the seventh attempt by defeating 3/4 seed Sohayla Hazem Farouk of Egypt 11-6, 11-8, 11-8.

The Frenchwoman said: "It would be a dream to win tomorrow, but I'm not going to focus on the outcome, just play my best squash and let the result take care of itself."

BU19 top seed Adam Hawal got through in straight games against USA's Christian Capella and next plays close friend Seif Refaay, The No.2 seed who was an exemplary straight-games winner over France's 3/4 seed Amir Khaled-Jousselin. It will be a repeat of last year's BU17 final between the Egyptian pair.

Having lost two finals in a row at the BJO, Hawal said: "I have unfinished business here. For me, the British Junior Open is so prestigious, the same level as the World Juniors, so it would mean the world to me to win tomorrow."

In the GU17, England's sole semi-finalist Mariam Eissa, a 5/8 seed, was well positioned at 8-4 up in the third against top seed Habiba Rizk, with the first two games shared. However, the Egyptian clawed her way back, helped in part by a crucial overturned stroke decision.

Rizk, who is only 15 and has BJO titles under her belt already at U13 and U15 level, completed 11-7, 4-11, 13-11, 11-4 victory to set up a final against compatriot Mariam El Mattet, who shocked USA's second seed Isabella Tang in three.

"I'm really happy I won that third game because it was really intense," said Rizk. "She had a really big lead and I caught up. The referee gave a stroke and I asked for a review. They gave a no let and I was really thankful."

BU17 top seed Farouk Mohamed was extended to four games by USA's Brendan Tagliarini while his Egyptian compatriot Philopater Ehab came through in three against Indian second seed Aryaveer Dewan.

Top seed Hassan Abdelgalil cruised into a BU15 final against second-seeded compatriot Aly Abdel-Fattah by virtue of an 11-2, 14-12, 16-14 triumph over Baraa Abd Elkarim Saleh Hawary. Abdel-Fattah's win in the other semi was a classic - 11-6, 6-11, 12-10, 4-11, 14-12 against Aly Teleb.

Title favourite Layan Moustafa and 3/4 seed Reem Elmaghraby will contest the GU15 final after the Egyptian pair defeated Sandy Hassan in three and USA's No.2 seed Vivienne Sze in four respectively.

The all-Egyptian BU13 semis saw the top two seeds Yahia Waleed Rayan and Adam Ragab win through; Rayan in three over Tameem Mostafa Fahmy and Ragab in four tight games against Hussein Ghoneim.

The GU13 semis were also an Egyptian lockout in which both top seeds made the final; Serein Mohamed breezing past Laila Mohamed Mohsen and No.2 seed Nabila Elnahas battling back to seize a 10-12, 3-11, 11-1, 11-9, 11-7 victory over Fayrouz Elsayad.

Egyptian twin sisters Alia Elnazer and Karma Elnazer met in the semi-finals of the GU11 with second-seeded Alia coming out on top by a marathon 11-9, 8-11, 2-11, 11-9, 13-11 scoreline. The other semi, also an all-Egyptian affair, also went the distance with Malika Ghonim toppling top seed Talia Eslam 6-11, 11-9, 4-11, 14-12, 13-11.

Hong Kong will have the chance to win only their second ever title at the BJO (the last by Annie Au in the U15 in 2004) after Ngo San Leung stunned top seed Azlan Khan of the USA in the opening BU11 semi 11-3, 11-9, 11-7. Ngo will play No.2 seed Hazem Mahmoud El Fadly of Egypt in Tuesday's final.