Amir Atlas cruises to World Junior squash final

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LONDON Top seed and tournament favourite Aamir Atlas Khan of Pakistan will face Egypt's second seeded Mohammad El Shorbagy in the final of the World Junior Men's Squash Championship in Zurich after winning their respective pre-finals late on Thursday evening in contrasting manners.

 

The clash between the two youngsters has justified their seedings as they prepare for the ultimate showdown in the prestigious event being staged for the first time in Switzerland under the auspices of World Squash Federation.

 

Aamir, who celebrated turned 18 a day earlier, cruised to a 9-1, 9-1, 9-6 victory in 40 minutes over compatriot Waqar Mehboob.

 

The Peshawar-born player who has reached the final without dropping a game is now one match away from becoming the first Pakistani to win the title since his legendary uncle Jansher Khan, the record eight-time senior World Open champion, in 1986.

 

The other semi-final pitched El Shorbagy against local hero Nicolas Mueller, the third seed and former European Junior champion from Switzerland.

 

With the crowd backing Mueller all the way, the Swiss teenager twice clawed back game leads by the higher-ranked Egyptian.

 

But, after 67 minutes, it was El Shorbagy who prevailed, winning 9-7, 9-10, 9-4, 1-9, 9-5 to take his expected place in Friday's final.

 

Results

 

Semi-finals Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) beat Waqar Mehboob (PAK) 9-1, 9-1, 9-6

                    Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) beat Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 9-7, 9-10, 9-4, 1-9, 9-5

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