There were mixed fortunes for last year’s finalists in the 2008 Nordic Junior U19 Open, the opening Super Series event of the 2008/09 season's European Squash Federation Junior Circuit in Malmo, Sweden.
Finland’s Henrik Mustonen, top seed in the men’s U19 event, made up for the disappointment of finishing as runner-up in 2007 by winning the 2008 title. The 17-year-old reached the final after beating Belgian Sam van Brusselen in the semi-finals.
The Finn’s surprise final opponent was Casper Grauballe, a 5/8 seed from Denmark who upset both second seed Florian Silbernagl (Germany) and 3/4 seed Lucas Vauzelle (France) to reach the climax.
But Mustonen was too strong for the 17-year-old from Copenhagen, winning 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 to clinch the first ESF U19 Circuit title of his career.
By contrast, 2007 women’s U19 champion Kimberley Hay was unable to repeat her Malmo success a year later. Seeded two, the 16-year-old from Newcastle faced England junior team-mate Sarah-Jane Perry, the top seed, in the final.
Perry, 18, from Kenilworth, dropped the first two games - but fought back to beat Hay 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 to clinch her second ESF circuit title, after winning the Scottish U19 Junior Open crown in December.
Men's Final:
[1] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) bt [5/8] Casper Grauballe (DEN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7
Women's Final:
[1] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [2] Kimberley Hay (ENG) 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8