[Video] Jessica lifts British Junior title after bruising final

Malaysia's Jessica Keng getting shoved in the back by her Egyptian opponent Nouran Youssef in the girls' U-13 final of the British Junior Open in Sheffield on Tuesday. The match was awarded to Jessica as a result of the injury she suffered. - Squashsite

PETALING JAYA: First, there was joy. Then, there was pain. But, in the end, there was only ecstasy for junior squash player Jessica Keng as she captured her first British Junior Open title in the Under-13 category.

On Monday, the 12-year-old Sabahan played the match of her life to stun Egypt’s second-seeded Farida Mohammed, the younger sister of world No. 23 Habiba, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 in the semi-finals in Sheffield.

In the final on Tuesday, Jessica was shoved by Egyptian opponent Nouran Youssef while trailing 11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 8-10. Jessica fell, hurt her elbow and was unable to even lift her racquet. She was then taken to hospital, but discharged soon after with a cast on her injured hand.

And, in what is probably the first time in squash history, the match officials awarded the match to Jessica.

“The injury was caused by the opponent and Jessica was unable to continue ... so, the match awarded (to Jessica),” the referee was quoted as saying on www.squashsite.co.uk.

The Egyptian camp was livid at the decision and threatened to pull all their remaining players out from the finals. Luckily, common sense prevailed and they changed their minds.

The decision means that Malaysia have managed to retain the girls’ Under-13 title for a second year – after Aifa Azman won it last year.

Although national junior coach Andrew Cross is pleased to see the Under-13 title staying in Malaysian hands, he was far from happy with the way the match panned out.

“Basically, Jessica got clattered. It was like a rugby tackle and the Egyptian girl ran straight into Jessica’s back,” said Cross.

“She couldn’t move her arm, so we sent her to the hospital straightaway. I don’t think it’s broken ... although it’s better to be safe.

“Although she was awarded the match, it wasn’t a nice way to finish as nobody wants to win like this. She was trailing but she was playing well and it was a good game right until the incident.”

Egypt can take consolation from winning the boys’ Under-13 and girls’ Under-15 titles through Yehia Elnawsany and Hania El Hammamy respectively.