Copenhagen, Denmark – In a thrilling display of talent and determination, 11-year-old Mahnoor Ali secured a bittersweet victory on Sunday, defeating her sister Sehrish to claim the Under-13 title at the HEAD Danish Junior Open. Mahnoor dominated the final match, winning decisively in three straight sets with scores of 11-3, 11-3, and 11-2.
“I’m very happy because this is a major tournament; it’s a big achievement for me,” Mahnoor expressed in a video message shared with Dawn.com. Reflecting on the final against her sister, she added, “Playing against my sister was a tough final. She plays really well, and we both train the same, but whoever plays better wins.”
Mahnoor extended her gratitude to her sponsors, the BARD (Bilquis and Abdul Razzak Dawood) Foundation, stating, “I get to achieve this title because of them, and I hope they support me further.”
Despite the defeat, Sehrish remained optimistic, attributing her loss to “bad luck” and vowing to train harder for future competitions.
In the semi-finals, Mahnoor showcased her prowess by defeating Bulgaria’s Bozhana Bozhilova with an impressive scoreline of 11-3, 11-4, 11-0, while Sehrish secured her place in the final after a challenging match against Poland’s Hania Górecka, winning 11-4, 16-14, 11-7.
Throughout the tournament, Mahnoor exhibited exceptional skill, having previously triumphed over Górecka in the third round with scores of 11-4, 11-2, and 11-4, finishing the competition undefeated. Currently, she holds the top ranking in Asia for the U-13 category, while Sehrish ranks 12th.
The Ali sisters’ elder sibling, Mehwish, who is ranked number one in Pakistan for the U-19 and open categories, also made headlines by winning a bronze medal in Denmark after defeating Ruby Huisman of the Netherlands, 11-4, 11-7, 11-8.
Mahnoor’s victory at the Danish Junior Open marks her sixth international title, as confirmed by her father to Dawn.com. The talented sisters have previously faced each other in an all-Pakistan squash final.
Earlier this year, Mahnoor was crowned the Under-13 champion at the PBA 20th Penang Malaysia Junior Open, making a remarkable comeback after losing the first set to Sehrish. She also clinched the U-13 title at the Australian Junior Open in April, while Sehrish took home the bronze.
As the young athletes continue to rise in the competitive world of squash, their achievements reflect not only their individual dedication but also the strength of their familial bond in sport.
