Silva survives scare as seeds progress to Round of 16

The second day of the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships picked up where the opening day had finished, with the round of 32 providing exciting rallies, drama and comebacks at White Oaks Resort and Spa.

And with the coveted World Junior title up for grabs, the world’s best Under-19 athletes left nothing on the court in what was an entertaining day of squash.

Among the drama from today’s action, it was Brazil’s Laura Silva [5/8] who stole the show, as she staged an incredible comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2, booking her place in the last 16.

After being pushed to the limit in her match yesterday in a five-game battle against South Africa’s Brianna Robinson, the Brazilian was forced into another hard-fought victory.

Despite walking away victorious, Silva was unable to get the better of her opponent early on as Australia’s Joanne Joseph made a strong start and shook off the threats that Silva posed in the opening game, winning 12-10.

And with the wind in her sails, Joseph captured the second game 11-5. However, momentum shifted in favour of the 5/8 seed as she battled her way back into the contest, winning the third and fourth 11-3 and 11-1.

Heading into the fifth, the momentum was firmly with the young Brazilian, and she took full advantage of that as she won the final game and completed the incredible comeback, claiming the fifth 11-3.

Across today’s action, the Brazilian wasn’t the only player to survive a second-round scare, as Malaysia’s Harleein Tan [9/12] came back from 2-1 down against Canada’s Wing Kai Gladys Ho to progress into the next round.

Meanwhile, the top-seeded players continued their pursuit of the World titles, with No.1 seeds Egypt’s Mohamad Zakaria and India’s Anahat Singh, advancing after straight-game victories against Malaysia’s Altamis A Sufian and Hong Kong, China’s Pui Yin Chloe Lo, respectively.

In addition to the top seeds, England’s Dylan Roberts [5/8] progressed after a win against Malaysia’s Ivan Jia Yu Chang, and Hong Kong, China’s Helen Tang also secured a place in the last 16 after beating Australia’s Sarbani Maitra in three games, 11-6, 11-3, 11-3.

“I am very happy with the result. Today was my first time on the glass court here in Canada, so I am pleased,” Tang said after her victory.

“I am so happy and excited, as this is my third World Juniors, so it feels great to get a win and move further into the tournament. There is a different feeling to last year, as I am one of the top-seeded players, so I just want to try my best and play my squash.”

Elsewhere, Pakistan’s Nauman Khan beat England’s Gabriel Chak 3-1; Malaysia’s Doyce Ye San Lee reached the last 16 after beating the Netherlands’ Renske Huntelaar; Mohammed Alnasfan of Saudi Arabia progressed after a straight-game victory over Japan’s Shunsaku Kariyazono; Egypt’s Habiba Rizk moved into the last 16 with a win over France’s Leelou Laporte; Belgium’s Savannah Moxham progressed after a win against India’s Saanvi Kalanki.

Day Three of the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships takes place tomorrow, 22 July, with play beginning at 11:10am (GMT-4).

Action from the all-glass court and select traditional courts will be streamed live on WORLDSQUASH.TV.

Click here to view all the results from Day Two. 

Click here to view the schedule for Day Three.

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