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ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: Canada edged Mexico 2-1 on Wednesday to set a up a meeting in the quarterfinals with defending champions and top seeds Pakistan in the World Junior squash championship.
Kuwait also advanced with a 3-0 thrashing of Malaysia as did India who blanked Australia and New Zealand who routed Wales by a similar margin. India earned a quarterfinal tie on Thursday with third seeds England with Kuwait facing off Germany and New Zealand up against No. 2 seeds Egypt.
Pakistan, bidding to keep the title they won in Chennai in 2002, Egypt, England and Germany were all given byes into the quarterfinals. In their march into the last eight, India were spearheaded by Saurav Ghosal whose aggressive play left Australian Mathew Karwalski clueless in a 9-1, 9-2, 9-1 win.
Later Sandeep Jangra scored a difficult 9-2, 6-9, 9-7, 9-7 win against Andrew Budd and then Vikas Jangra wrapped it up with a 9-5, 9-8 defeat of Steven Robinson. Canada's triumph over Mexico came about because of the fine efforts of Robin Clarke and Keith Prichard who clinched their respective matches. Michael Auer however was unable to complete the whitewash, losing to Cesar Slazar.
Kuwait were put on their way to the quarters by Abdullah Mezayin who beat Malaysian Mohd Adnan 9-3, 9-4, 9-6 and Sulaiman Khamees followed up the good work of his team-mate inflicting a 9-7, 9-0, 9-7 defeat on Elvinn Keo.
The demolition of the rivals was completed by Ali B Ramzi, a 9-0, 9-6 victor against Mohd Azfar. New Zealand proved too good for Wales as Campbell Grayson, Reece Williams and Whairoa Moek all won their matches comfortably to see their side through.
RESULTS (PRE-QUARTERFINALS):
Canada bt Mexico 2-1 (Robin Clarke bt Erik Tepos 9-5, 9-2, 9-4; Keith Prichard bt Jesus Pena 7-9, 9-5, 10-8, 9-3; Michael Auer lost to Cesar Slazar 6-9, 2-9);
Kuwait bt Malaysia 3-0 (Abdullah Mezayin bt Mohd Adnan 9-3, 9-4, 9-6, Sulaiman Khamees bt Elvinn Keo 9-7, 9-0, 9-7; Ali B Ramzi bt Mohd Azfar 9-0, 9-6);
India bt Australia 3-0 (Saurav Ghosal bt Mathew Karwalski 9-1, 9-2, 9-1; Sandeep Jangra bt Andrew Budd 9-2, 6-9, 9-7, 9-7; Vikas Jangra bt Steven Robinson 9-5, 9-8);
New Zealand bt Wales 3-0 (Campbell Grayson bt Lewys Hurst 9-7, 9-3, 9-1; Reece Williams bt Rob Wilkins 9-7, 9-2, 9-1; Whairoa Moek bt Peter Creed 9-4, 9-4.
QUARTERFINALS (THURSDAY): Pakistan v Canada, Kuwait v Germany, India v England and Egypt v New Zealand.
