Assal & Salem Fight Back To Reach World Junior Semis

Egyptians Marwan Assal and Ruqayya Salem were both taken the full distance before claiming their anticipated places in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships at White Oaks Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.

Assal, a 3/4 seed celebrating his 18th birthday, booked his place in the last four after an epic battle with France's 5/8 seed Amir Khaled-Jousselin, a two-time European Junior champion.

Despite taking the opening game 11-7, the celebrations stopped for Assal as Khaled-Jousselin was able to win back-to-back games and storm into the lead, winning both 11-7.

This didn't seem to faze the 3/4 seed, however, as Assal was able to bounce back, winning the fourth game 11-6. However, a momentum shift wasn't immediate for Assal after levelling the scoreline, as he would go 3-6 down in the decider.

And with an exit looming, the 2025 World Junior runner-up was able to recover this deficit after the break in play, due to a shoulder injury, as he powered his way to victory, winning the fifth 11-7.

"Amir is a good player, I've played him at the British U15 Open," Assal said after his match. "He's such a great player and it was a very good match today. I'm looking forward to the next one. [After the injury break] I got back in my mind and played some good squash. I thought to myself, '6-3, it's fine!'

"I pushed and gave 100 percent effort and am glad to get this win."

Assal will be joined by his compatriot and No.2 seed Ruqayya Salem, who progressed after a tough five-game contest with Malaysia's 9/12 seed Whitney Wilson in the women's quarter-finals.

It was an uphill battle for Salem from the beginning, Wilson making the quicker start, winning the opener 11-4. Salem was able to recover the contest, claiming the second 11-5, but that wasn't without a challenge from the Malaysian, who was determined to cause an upset, as she took the third 11-8.

With tension rising, Salem was able to rise above the on-court pressure and fight back into the quarter-final bout, levelling the scores for the second time, winning 11-9.

And with momentum in her favour, Salem was able to stay in control, claiming the fifth 11-7 and punching her ticket into the last four.

Elsewhere, Egypt's 3/4 seed Seifeldin Refaay progressed following a straight-game victory over Maddox Moxham, which will see him take on the No.1 seed and fellow countryman Mohamad Zakaria, in what promises to be an exciting contest.

Meanwhile, in the women's draw, the No.1 seed Anahat Singh became the sole survivor against the wave of Egyptian stars, as she overcame 16-year-old Habiba Rizk in four games.

And Egypt's Barb Sameh and Malika Elkaraksy progressed after straight-game victories over Helen Tang of Hong Kong, and Belgium's Savannah Moxham, while Egypt's No.2 seed Adam Hawal progressed with a 3/1 win over Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Alnasfan.