Coll into semis at squash world champs
- Dave Worsley
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Kiwi squash pro, Paul Coll has eased into the semifinals to the PSA World Championships in Chicago
World No 4 Coll will take on rival Mostafa Asal in the semis after a comfortable 3-0 victory over former world champion Mohamed ElShorbagy to tee up the clash with Asal.
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The West Coaster did an excellent job of tidying up in the front corners as he kept ElShorbagy at bay to open up a 1-0 lead, but the Englishman started to take risks in the second and hit more winners.
However, too many unforced errors was ElShorbagy’s undoing, as Coll moved 2-0 up, taking the second 11-9.
ElShorbagy was unable to mount a comeback and looked off the pace in the third as Coll took the game 11-2.
“I’ve played him [Mohamed ElShorbagy] loads of times and when he makes that push it’s vital you’ve got to stick with him,” he said.
“It’s so hard when he’s attacking you like that and going across the ’T’ line. I tried to stay aggressive myself and I think I did that at the end of that set [the second].
“He had a few massive five gamers off the back of Europeans so I knew if I made it physical then he’ll start to feel it.
‘I’ve got big respect for him, what he does and how he plays – he’s still fighting and he’s so hard to play against. I’m very happy," said Coll with the eventual scoreline 11-4, 11-2, 11-9 in 35 minutes.
Unfortunately form isn't great for Coll against Asal. The Egyptian has a 12-6 head-to-head record including winning the last five encounters.
