Brazil's Laura Silva Survives World Juniors Scare

The second day of the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships picked up where the opening day had finished, with the round of 32 providing exciting rallies, drama and comebacks in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

And with the coveted World Junior title up for grabs, the world's best Under-19 athletes left nothing on the court in what was an entertaining day of squash.

Brazil's 5/8 seed Laura Silva who stole the show on day two, staging an impressive comeback from 2/0 down to beat Australia's Joanne Joseph in five games and book her place in the last 16.

After being pushed to the limit 24 hours earlier in a five-game battle against South Africa's Brianna Robinson, the 18-year-old Brazilian was forced into another hard-fought victory.

Despite walking away victorious, Silva was unable to get the better of her opponent early on as Joseph made a strong start and shook off the threats that Silva posed in the opening game, winning 12-10.

And with the wind in her sails, Joseph captured the second game 11-5. However, momentum shifted in favour of the 5/8 seed as Silva battled her way back into the contest, winning the third and fourth 11-3 and 11-1.

Heading into the fifth, the momentum was firmly with the young Brazilian, and she took full advantage of that, winning the final game and completing the incredible comeback, claiming the fifth 11-3.

Silva wasn't the only player to survive a second-round scare, as Malaysia's 9/12 seed Harleein Tan came back from 2/1 down against home hope Wing Kai Gladys Ho to progress into the next round.

Meanwhile, the top-seeded players continued their pursuit of the world titles, with No.1 seeds Egypt's Mohamad Zakaria and India's Anahat Singh, advancing after straight-game victories against Malaysia's Altamis Sufian and Hong Kong's Pui Yin Chloe Lo, respectively.

In addition to the top seeds, England's Dylan Roberts, a 5/8 seed, progressed after a win against Malaysia's Ivan Jia Yu Chang, and Hong Kong's Helen Tang also secured a place in the last 16 after beating Australia's Sarbani Maitra in three games, 11-6, 11-3, 11-3.

"I am very happy with the result," said Tang said after her victory. "Today was my first time on the glass court here in Canada, so I am pleased.

"I am so happy and excited, as this is my third World Juniors, so it feels great to get a win and move further into the tournament. There is a different feeling to last year, as I am one of the top-seeded players, so I just want to try my best and play my squash."

Elsewhere, Pakistan's unseeded Nauman Khan beat England's Gabriel Chak 3/1; Malaysia's Doyce Ye San Lee reached the last 16 after beating the Netherlands' Renske Huntelaar; Mohammed Alnasfan of Saudi Arabia progressed after a straight-game victory over Japan's Shunsaku Kariyazono; Egypt's Habiba Rizk moved into the last 16 with a win over France's Leelou Laporte; and Belgium's Savannah Moxham progressed after a win against India's Saanvi Kalanki.