Dubai: Maanav Mandhian continued his promising domestic run with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Sherif Al Amin to clinch the boys’ under-19 title at the annual Al Nasr Leisureland (ANL) UAE Junior Squash Championship 2017, sponsored by Maximus Sports, on Friday.
Mandhian, who has long asserted himself as one of the best juniors in the UAE, has also been travelling to tournaments in India for bigger experiences. On Friday, the 18-year-old from Emirates International School Jumeirah put up a gritty display before subduing Al Amin to claim the boys crown before an appreciative weekend crowd.
The final between Mandhian and Al Amin was bound to go the distance with both players in fine form en route to the final. Al Amin took the opening game 11-9, but Maanav won the second. The student from German International School Dubai took the lead for 2-1, but Mandhian won the next two games and the title to conclude an engrossing evening of squash.
Earlier this summer, Mandhian had travelled to Mumbai to participate in the 9th Bombay Gymkhana Indian Junior Squash Open and the NSCI Classic India Junior Squash Open.
In the semi-finals, Mandhian and Al Amin had got the better of Adham Al Wassimy and Waji Ullah Khan to set up the title fight.
The girls under-9 title also went the distance with Mariam Al Gendy digging in deep for a 3-2 win over promising youngster Fiza Faheem Khan.
More than 85 local and international players participated in this annual squash tournament that is being held to give juniors a chance to compete.
Abdul Kader Yousef, Executive General Manager, ANL presented the trophies and prizes to the winners of all categories in the presence of ANL official CT Matthew and organiser Faheem Khan.
RESULTS
Girls U-9: Winner: Fiza Faheem Khan (English Private School) def. Noor Mohammad (Egypt) 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-5).
Boys U-9: Winner: Rohan Roy (USA) def. Dhurv Monga 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-3).
Girls U-11: Winner: Mariam Al Gendy (Egypt) def. Fiza Faheem Khan (English Private School) 3-2 (11-9, 12-14, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9).
Boys U-11: Winner: Kairav Banerjee (India) def. Thomas De Mascarel 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-7); Third Place: Rohan Roy (USA).
Boys U-13: Winner: Shayaz Attari (Abu Dhabi Indian School) def. Manthan Pandey 3-0 (11-7, 12-10, 11-6); Third Place: Syed Hamza Pasha.
Boys U-15: Winner: Adham Akram Hammam (Dubai International Academy) def. Sarthak Banerjee (Cambridge International School) 3-1 (11-9, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9); Third Place: Ishan Malani (Gems Wellington Silicon Oasis); Plate Winner: Shayaz Attari (Abu Dhabi Indian School); Plate Runner-Up: Kanav Mehta (Gems Modern Academy).
Boys U-19: Winner: Maanav Mandhian (Emirates International School Jumeriah) def. Sherif Al Amin (German International School Dubai) 3-2 (9-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8, 11-9); Losing semi-finalists: Adham El Wassimy and Waji Ullah Khan (Pakistan). Upcoming players: Ishan Malani and Shayaz Attari.
