Coll back from brink to beat Farag
WELLINGTON: Greymouth squash player Paul Coll turned in a super effort to come back from two sets down to beat world No 1 Ali Farag of Egypt at the latest PSA tournament in London.
World No 2 Coll, nicknamed ‘‘Superman’’ for his athleticism on court, lost the first two games 118, 112 before winning the next three 1210, 1210, 119.
World Champion Farag went 52 and then 74 up in the third game, leaving Coll struggling for answers.
However the Egyptian, who was fasting during the month of Ramadan, started to make some mistakes and Coll’s sprits rose and he went on to win the third 1210.
Farag had a game ball in the fourth, but Coll saved that and went on to win
1210.
Farag was allowed allotted times to take on fluids and he went ahead in the fifth before
Coll tied it up at 99 before going on to take it 119 and claim the Optasia ’’I’ve got the utmost respect for Ali. Not just for the athlete he is, but for the person he is,’’ Coll said.
‘‘I think that’s why he’s so dominant this season.
‘‘I put lot of work in the offseason to get back to my fighting best. I didn’t feel like I had that last season. I was doing
all my breathing techniques, all my mental things because it was a real battle.
‘‘I had to come back several times. I had my coach come down today which really helped me. Seeing my childhood friends in the front row was something special, and hearing my girlfriend who had a tough loss come and support me. All these people around me really got me up.
‘‘I’m proud of the fight I put in.’’
Coll has now taken a 32 lead over Farag in headtohead battles this season.
Coll’s girlfriend, Belgian Nele Gilis, was beaten in the women’s final by Satomi Watanabe, of Japan.
There is another PSA Gold event in London at the end of the month. — RNZ