Paul Coll is set to defend his 2025 New Zealand Open title, qualifying for Sunday’s final following a 3-1 victory over France’s Baptiste Masotti.
Competing at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch, World No.4 Coll had his home crowd on edge as he dropped the first game 9-11 to the Frenchman.
Coll rectified the situation in game two, looking more relaxed on court as he pulled away from 4-4 to win 11-7.
From there Coll continued to apply pressure and although Masotti did his best to stay with him, Coll had the momentum to take the last two games.
“I knew I was in for a battle today. It was a bit annoying in the first game when I let the lead slip, but I was very happy with my squash overall,” said Coll.
“I think more than 1,000 tickets were sold for today and that’s unreal, it’s so cool to play in front of this crowd at home. It’s the most incredible place I’ve played and to have over 1,000 people here I can’t believe it.”
Result: [1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt. [6] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 3-1: 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 (71m)
Coll will face No.2 seed Marwan ElShorbagy in the final after the Englishman comfortably saw off Malaysia’s Ng Eain Yow in three straight games in his semi final.
The women’s final will see seventeen-year-old Amina Orfi from Egypt take on Japan’s Satomi Watanabe.
No.2 seed Orfi was in top form as she took down Egyptian national teammate Rowan Elaraby in straight games.
The teenager outclassed Elaraby, converting two close games before dominating game three.
In the other women’s semi-final Watanabe made a lightning start to her match against Egypt’s Salma Hany.
The No.6 seed played attacking squash from the outset, taking the first two games before Hany bounced back to take the third.
Watanabe refound her rhythm again in game four, rattling off the points needed to record an 11-5 win and reach the final.
Full results are available here.
The New Zealand Squash Open is being contested from March 4th to 9th in Christchurch’s iconic Isaac Theatre Royal, where a glass court has been installed on stage.
The overall draw features 24 men and 24 women from 17 nations and six continents making it a truly global event.
Tickets for the 2025 Bridleways Estate NZ Festival of Squash are on sale with more information available at www.festivalofsquash.co.nz
The draw and results are available here with all glass court matches to be broadcast on Sky TV.
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