The talented sibling pairing of Mason and Maia Smales from the Henderson Squash Club have claimed the silverware at the 2021 Auckland Junior Open, taking out the Boys and Girls Open divisions respectively following two days of competition at the Eden Epsom Tennis & Squash Club.  

Both players earned their first Auckland Junior Open titles coming through pool play draws on top.  Mason went through with a perfect three from three record but was tested in all his matches, earning five set wins against Tarin Love and Benjamin Adams, while defeating clubmate Apa Fatialofa in three close games.  Adams, from BOP, took out second spot winning his other two matches.

Maia, who became one of the youngest winners of the title at only 14 years old, cemented her win with a victory over Zoe Lepper in four games after also getting past Justine Pausch in four games.  

64 players took part in the two-day event, with many now heading to the NZ Junior Open starting on Friday at the Remuera Rackets Club.

Auckland Junior Open Division Winners

Boys Open - Mason Smales (Henderson)
Girls Open - Maia Smales (Henderson)
Boys Div 1 - Noah Thomas (Eden Epsom)
Girls Div 1 - Saara Joukani (North Shore)
Boys Div 2 - Finn Goodson (Herne Bay)
Girls Div 2 - Chloe Barton (Remuera)
Boys Div 3 - Ariston Kounoudis (Franklin)
Boys Div 4 - Arrie Putter (Henderson)
Boys Div 5 - Austin Parker (Eden Epsom)
Mixed Div 6 - Luke Lin (Howick)
Boys Div 7 - Kurtis Knowles (Eden Epsom)

Article added: Thursday 22 April 2021