Will Salter Reaches 2026 English National Championships Final
July 12 2026
UNSQUASHABLE player Will Salter produced an impressive series of performances at the 2026 English National Squash Championships, reaching the men’s final at Lexden Rackets & Fitness Club in Colchester before finishing runner-up to top seed Bailey Malik.
Seeded third/fourth for the national championships, Will demonstrated composure, consistency and attacking quality throughout the week, overcoming a series of demanding opponents to secure a place in the title decider. His run included four consecutive victories, with the Englishman showing impressive resilience during several high-quality encounters.
Will began his campaign with a commanding straight-games victory over Mark Liversidge, controlling the pace from the opening rally to complete an assured 11-3 11-2 11-5 success. He continued his strong form in the second round against Michael Chak, producing another clinical display to progress with an 11-6 11-1 11-4 win.
The quarter-finals provided a more challenging test against Surrey’s Gabriel Chak, but Will remained composed under pressure. Maintaining control of the rallies through accurate length and intelligent variation, he secured an 11-7 11-9 11-7 victory to book his place in the semi-finals.
A dramatic five-game battle awaited in the last four as Will faced second seed Heston Malik. The contest developed into one of the matches of the tournament, with both players producing high-quality squash and refusing to surrender momentum. After trading games throughout a tense encounter, Will held his nerve in the deciding moments, saving match points before completing a remarkable 7-11 11-6 11-9 10-12 12-10 victory to reach the final.
The championship match saw Will take on top seed Bailey Malik, who made a strong start to establish an early advantage. Malik claimed the opening two games 11-8 11-5 but Salter responded with determination, raising his intensity and taking the third game 11-5 to force his way back into contention. Despite another spirited effort in the fourth, Malik proved stronger in the closing stages, securing an 11-9 victory to claim the national title.
Although narrowly missing out on the championship crown, Will’s performances throughout the tournament represented an outstanding achievement. His ability to overcome pressure situations, particularly in the semi-final, highlighted his competitive maturity and growing confidence on the domestic stage.
A runner-up finish at the English National Squash Championships marks another significant milestone for the UNSQUASHABLE player and reinforces his reputation as one of England’s emerging talents. His performances in Colchester showcased the skill, determination and fighting spirit that continue to drive his progression in the sport.
2026 English National Squash Championships, Lexden Rackets & Fitness Club, Colchester, England
Men's Final:
[1] Bailey Malik (Sussex) bt [3/4] Will Salter (ENG) 11-8, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9
Women's Final:
[1] Torrie Malik (Sussex) bt [3/4] Olivia Owens (Worcs) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6
Men's Semi-Finals:
[1] Bailey Malik (Sussex) bt [9/16] Oliver Tate (Warwicks) 11-4, 11-6, 1-11, 11-8
[3/4] Will Salter (ENG) bt [2] Heston Malik (Sussex) 7-11, 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 12-10
Women's Semi-Finals:
[1] Torrie Malik (Sussex) bt [3/4] Emily Coulcher-Porter (Bucks) 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
[3/4] Olivia Owens (Worcs) bt [5/8] Katie Cox (Norfolk) 11-9, 11-6, 11-6
Men's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Bailey Malik (Sussex) bt [5/8] AbdAllah Eissa (Warwicks) 6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-7
[9/16] Oliver Tate (Warwicks) bt [3/4] Jared Carter (Hants) 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7
[3/4] Will Salter (ENG) bt Gabriel Chak (Surrey) 11-7, 11-9, 11-7
[2] Heston Malik (Sussex) bt [5/8] James Peach (Yorks) 11-4, 11-8, 11-8
Women's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Torrie Malik (Sussex) bt Esther Chak (Surrey) 11-2, 11-5, 11-2
[3/4] Emily Coulcher-Porter (Bucks) bt [5/8] Lara Newton (Essex) 11-9, 11-8, 11-6
[3/4] Olivia Owens (Worcs) bt Anoushka Wooller (Middx) 11-6, 11-7, 11-8
[5/8] Katie Cox (Norfolk) bt [2] Olivia Besant (Hants) 6-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-8
Men's 2nd Round:
[1] Bailey Malik (Sussex) bt [9/16] Jake Sim-Baskar (Sussex) 11-7, 13-11, 12-10
[5/8] AbdAllah Eissa (Warwicks) bt [9/16] Charles Keeble (Cheshire) 11-9, 11-8, 11-5
[9/16] Oliver Tate (Warwicks) bt [5/8] Dylan Roberts (Kent) 7-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-3
[3/4] Jared Carter (Hants) bt [9/16] Anthony Rogal (Middx) 7-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4
[3/4] Will Salter (ENG) bt [9/16] Michael Chak (Surrey) 11-6, 11-1, 11-4
Gabriel Chak (Surrey) bt Damian Duckett (ENG) 11-3, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9
[5/8] James Peach (Yorks) bt Matthew Bartley (Suffolk) 11-6, 4-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-4
[2] Heston Malik (Sussex) bt [9/16] Ismail Khalil (Warwicks) 11-8, 11-7, 11-5
Men's 1st Round:
[1] Bailey Malik (Sussex) bt Travis Tatum (ENG) 11-1, 11-3, 11-8
[9/16] Jake Sim-Baskar (Sussex) bt Paul Wallace (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-1
[9/16] Charles Keeble (Cheshire) bt Louis Brown (ENG) 11-6, 11-6, 11-9
[5/8] AbdAllah Eissa (Warwicks) bt Dylan Smithson (ENG) 10-12, 11-0, 11-3, 12-14, 11-3
[5/8] Dylan Roberts (Kent) bt Neil Cross (ENG) 11-3, 11-3, 11-6
[9/16] Oliver Tate (Warwicks) bt Edward Bidder (Yorks) 11-3, 11-7, 11-3
[9/16] Anthony Rogal (Middx) bt Shadow-Xavier Lilico (ENG) 11-6, 11-7, 11-0
[3/4] Jared Carter (Hants) bt Jaanshere Khan (Surrey) 11-6, 11-2, 11-7
[3/4] Will Salter (ENG) bt Mark Liversidge (ENG) 11-3, 11-2, 11-5
[9/16] Michael Chak (Surrey) bt Joel Braddock (Essex) 11-3, 15-13, 11-2
Damian Duckett (ENG) bt [9/16] Rob Thirst (Norfolk) 11-8, 11-4, 11-2
Gabriel Chak (Surrey) bt [5/8] Ronnie Hickling (Surrey) 12-10, 7-11, 11-3, 5-1 ret.
[5/8] James Peach (Yorks) bt Jamie Brown (Essex) 11-9, 11-6, 11-9
Matthew Bartley (Suffolk) bt [9/16] Oliver Coulcher-Porter (Oxon) 11-4, 11-4, 11-5
[9/16] Ismail Khalil (Warwicks) bt William Burton (Suffolk) 11-4, 13-11, 11-4
[2] Heston Malik (Sussex) bt Ojas Mishra (ENG) 11-2, 11-3, 11-0
Women's 1st Round:
[1] Torrie Malik (Sussex) bye
Esther Chak (Surrey) bt [5/8] Francesca Whyte (ENG) 11-5, 11-1, 11-3
[5/8] Lara Newton (Essex) bt Nikita Goel (Surrey) 11-3, 11-5, 11-5
[3/4] Emily Coulcher-Porter (Bucks) bt Karen Mills (ENG) 11-4, 11-6, 11-4
[3/4] Olivia Owens (Worcs) bye
Anoushka Wooller (Middx) bt [5/8] Zoe Tanner (ENG) 11-2, 11-2, 11-5
[5/8] Katie Cox (Norfolk) bt Amelie Brooke (ENG) 11-6, 11-6, 11-6
[2] Olivia Besant (Hants) bye