Paul Coll becomes first New Zealander to win the British Open men’s squash title – Stuff.co.nz

A super proud Paul Coll has created history by becoming the first New Zealand man to win the prestigious British Open squash title.

The 29-year-old third seed beat world champion Ali Farag (Egypt) 6-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 in 65 minutes turning a 1-13 win/loss record on its head to win his biggest title of his career in Hull on Sunday (Monday morning NZ time).

Coll, from Greymouth, joins Dame Susan Devoy and Leilani Joyce, the two New Zealand womens winners of the tournament.

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Paul Coll, the first New Zealander to win the British Open men's squash title, raises the trophy.

Only the second New Zealand male to make the final and the first since Ross Norman lost in 1986 Coll punched the air in delight after his winning shot in the fourth game to clinch the $NZ32,000 first prize.

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The worlds fourth ranked player rushed to ring his tearful girlfriend Nele in Amsterdam and his parents Julie and Michael in Greymouth after his historic win before receiving the trophy on-court.

Coll told the crowd he was super -proud and super happy to win squashs most prestigious tournament outside the world championships.

Its been a long journey for myself coming fright from juniors I had to leave home at a young age, said Coll, who moved from Greymouth to Christchurch as a schoolboy to pursue his squash dream.

This moment here makes it all worthwhile.'

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Paul Coll shows his delight at becoming New Zealand's first male British Open squash champion.

Coll said it was really special to have his coach and a good friend courtside, and said my parents were supposed to be here, but due to Covid, obviously they can't travel.

I just want to thank everyone in New Zealand who have helped me through my career, to get me to this stage. There are too many people to single out, but thank you all, and Id like to thank the whole of New Zealand for getting up at 2am to watch ...

Asked if he had dreamed of winning the British Open since he was a boy, Coll said his journey was probably slightly different to everyone.

I didnt start my squash till a bit later. I went through juniors with Ali [Farag] and he probably would have beaten me 3-0 11-0 in every single match [back then].

This is the pinnacle of squash, apart from the world championships, to get my first major title here against a good friend and one of the best players in the world, it means everything to me.

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Paul Coll stretches to make a shot in the 2021 British Open men's squash final as Egypt's Ali Farag watches.

Coll said his girlfriend Nele Gilis (a talented Belgian squash player), at home in Amsterdam, was crying when he phoned, and then he rang my parents and they were crying as well.

He was also grateful to his sponsors who had become friends to me and to tournament sponsors for putting the British Open on in such tough times.

The victory cements Colls place on the top rung of world squash after beating four-time British Open champion Mohamed ElShorbagy in the semifinals and Farag a double world champion seeking his first British Open title in the gold medal game.

In the final, Coll started slowly trying to find his length dropping the first game 6-11 and struggling to stay in the rallies.

Third seeded Coll became more aggressive in the second and third games and putting the pressure onto the Egyptian. After winning the second and third games Coll went into the fourth with confidence as Farag pushed desperately and was able to keep close to Coll after winning a number of brutal rallies.

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Paul Coll during his semifinal victory at the British Open.

Coll, however, may well be the player best suited to this type of game, such is his fitness. The world No.4 was content to trade long rallies with Farag, finally taking the match, and championship, with a well-deserved 11-8 victory.

Colls victory is the biggest result in New Zealand squash for over 20 years.

Dame Susan Devoy won the British Open womens title eight times seven consecutively between 1984 and 1992, and Leilani Joyce was the womens champion in 1999 and 2000.

Ross Norman lost to 10-time champion Jahangir Khan in three games in the 1986 mens final.

Sporting success is in the blood for the Coll family. Pauls late uncle, Tony Coll, captained West Coast, the South Island and the Kiwis in the 1970s and was renowned for his physical fitness.

The womens final saw Egypts world No.1 Nour El Sherbini win her third British Open title after she came from 2-1 down to win 9-11, 13-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-2 against world No.2 and 2019 champion Nouran Gohar .

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Paul Coll becomes first New Zealander to win the British Open men's squash title - Stuff.co.nz