Eain Yow turns man of steel to stun ‘Superman’ Coll

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s top squash professional Ng Eain Yow (pic) was on cloud nine after securing the biggest scalp of his career when he stunned world No. 2 Paul Coll of New Zealand to storm into the Singapore Open quarter-finals yesterday.

Eain Yow, ranked world No. 24, wasn’t given a ghost of a chance against Coll, the Commonwealth Games champion, but the Malaysian staged a superb comeback from two games down to prevail 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 in 54 minutes.

Coll, who had traded the Word No. 1 spot with current leader Ali Farag of Egypt, is nicknamed ‘’Superman’’ due to his unbelievable physical strength and endurance, but was shaken by Eain Yow’s determination and fighting spirit.

The last time Eain Yow defeated a top 10 player was at the 2021 Egyptian Open against current world No. 4 Mostafa Asal where the Malaysian won in three sets.

Despite losing the first two games, Eain Yow did not give up and battled back in the third game. He led 5-0 before Coll tied the score at 8-8, but Eain Yow won the next three points to save the match.

He maintained the same intensity in the next two games to mark his finest hour as he moved into the last eight.

The Bristol-based Eain Yow was pleased he was finally able to beat a top 10 player and also thanked national coach Andrew Cross who had guided him during the match.

“To be honest, I don’t even know (how I’m feeling). It means a lot this time around because I have been knocking on the door for quite a long time now,” said the 24-year-old Eain Yow.

“It has felt like forever since I beat a top 10 player, and I have gotten close a few times. To pull through today (yesterday), to cross the finish line, I’m really proud of myself!

“In the first two games, I was thinking a bit too much, trying to play a little bit too perfect.

“From the third game onwards, I just believed in myself and tried to play my own game. I kept running, and I hit a lot of winners compared to what I normally do. That was encouraging, but it was still a big mental battle.

“I was 5-0 up in the third and he came back strongly. I really had to dig deep to get that third game and it really helped me in the fourth and fifth.

“I want to say thanks to Andrew, who is here helping, my parents and to the crowd for their support - it’s been amazing!”

A fired-up Eain Yow will face another obstacle in Welshman Joel Makin, who had been his stumbling block in a couple of tournaments this year, in the last eight tomorrow.

Meanwhile, women’s world No. 24 Aifa Azman found the going tough against world No. 6 Nour El Tayeb of Egypt and fell to an 11-6, 16-14, 11-4 defeat in the second round.

Rachel Arnold also let slip a good start to allow fifth seed Rowan Elaraby of Egypt to secure a 12-14, 11-9, 11-5, 11-3 win in the second round.