Malaysia Upset No.2 Seeds To Reach World Junior Team Final

Malaysia's women's team reached the final of the World Junior Team Championships for the first time since 2023 after stunning No.2 seeds Hong Kong to set up a showdown with defending champions Egypt in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.

The day's action at White Oaks Resort & Spa started with Malaysia's women's team progressing to the final with a 2/0 victory in a battle that saw their players achieve first-time victories over their HK opponents.

In the opening match, Doyce Ye San Lee edged past Tsz Ching Cheung in a remarkable five-game battle that saw both players hold five match-balls before Lee eventually prevailed 10-12, 11-8, 12-10, 8-11, 21-19 in 63 minutes.

With everything still to play for in the second match, Hong Kong's No.1 string Helen Tang faced Malaysia's Whitney Wilson. Although the contest looked evenly matched on paper, Wilson - who had previously twice lost to Tang - produced a commanding performance to claim a 3/1 victory and send Malaysia into the final for the first time for here years.

"All I could think about was playing for the three people behind me and the rest of my team," said Lee after the match.

"Without them I couldn't do it, and without the team back in Malaysia, I couldn't do it."

Following the upset, Malaysia will face defending champions Egypt in a rematch of the 2023 World Junior Team final in Melbourne, Australia.

Egypt's women, who have reached every final since 2003, continued their dominance with a convincing victory over No.3 seeds USA.

Leading the charge for Egypt's 13th consecutive final appearance was Barb Sameh, who defeated Lily Bourell 11-4, 11-8, 11-5 in the opening match.

With the prospect of adding yet another title to their already impressive trophy cabinet, Ruqayya Salem sealed Egypt's place in the final with a straight-games victory over Diya Yadav.

Meanwhile, in the men's draw, the USA advanced to the final after defeating No.5 seeds India 2/0.

The opening match saw Brendan Tagliarini, who was celebrating his 17th birthday, battle back from 2/1 down against India's Gurveer Singh to give the USA the early lead, winning 11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-3.

With momentum firmly in the USA's favour, No.1 string Yaseen Shalaby made a fast start in the second match, sealing both the tie and a place in the final with a 3/0 victory over Aryaveer Dewan.

"I fought as hard as I could and he pushed me to play my best. I just kept telling myself that I could do it and my coach 'Nicky T' [Nick Taylor] helped push me through it! It feels amazing to clutch it for the team!" said Tagliarini after the match.

And with Shalaby sealing the tie for the USA, he said: "It's amazing, India's a tough opponent and they upset England yesterday and they have what it takes to show why they're one of the best.

"I just want to say I'm so happy to have this victory with my teammates and friends, as it wouldn't be possible without them, we all support each other and are a really good team."

The USA will now face Egypt in the men's final, a repeat of the 2025 final in Cairo, Egypt.

The defending champions were forced to battle hard against France, who refused to make it easy at any point in the tie.

In the opening match, France's No.3 string Kousha Moslehi pushed Marwan Assal all the way, refusing to allow the Egyptian any breathing room on the scoreboard. And after Moslehi won the second game, 11-7, it seemed that momentum was beginning to swing in France's favour.

However, Assal raised his level, growing in confidence with every point, to claim the opening match for Egypt, winning 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 11-2.

With one foot in the final, Mohamad Zakaria then sealed Egypt's place in tomorrow's action with a 3/0 victory over Amir Khaled-Jousselin. Although the match finished in straight games, it was far from one-sided.

Zakaria, who claimed the opener 11-3, was pushed to the limit in the second game after Khaled-Jousselin built a 10-7 lead. However, Zakaria showed the spirit of a champion as he saved three game balls to clinch the second 12-10.

The intensity continued to rise in the third game, and the French No.1 string refused to back down from the challenge, pushing the Egyptian all the way before Zakaria eventually edged the third game 12-10 after 67 minutes.