Champion Ali Farag and runner-up, New Zealand’s Paul Coll are seen with Tareq Zainal.
World No.1 Ali Farag retained the Qatar Classic Squash Championship title after overcoming a spirited fight from New Zealand’s Paul Coll in an absorbing final at the Khalifa International & Squash Complex, yesterday.
Egypt’s Farag, who won his first Qatar Classic title in 2018, held his nerves at crucial stages and showed a good reach on the court to clinch 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9 victory after 61 minutes of top-notch action.
“The first time I couldn’t believe it and this time around I can’t believe it even more,” said Farag, who collected over $26,000 for his title win in the $175,000 PSA’s Platinum event.
“When I was younger, I used to watch the Qatar Classic and see all the great names of our sport lifting that trophy and I could only imagine standing there one day. To do it twice is an amazing feeling,” the World No. 1 added.
Qatar Olympic Committee President, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, and President of Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, also attended the final.
After yesterday’s win, Farag became only the fourth man in Qatar Classic history to win the title twice, following in the footsteps of current World No.2 Mohamed ElShorbagy and the now retired Karim Darwish and Peter Nicol.
For New Zealand’s Coll, it was a second consecutive final defeat on the same court in as many years after his loss to another Egyptian Tarek Momen in the PSA World Championship title-match.
But, the Kiwi star did his best to avoid the equation as yesterday’s final started with a fast pace, with both the competitors fighting for points, fiercely.
After a few exchanges of lead, Farag looked cruising with a score of 7-2 but Coll fought well to reduce the lead. With scores going 9-8 in Farag’s favour, it could have been anybody’s game but an error cost Coll, with the Egyptian taking the first game.
Fourth seeded Coll, however, came back strongly in the second game, winning it 11-6 in only 10 minutes, and it was the third game which brought the best display of squash out of both the 28-year-old stars.
The game started with two consecutive points for Coll before Farag build a 5-3 lead after winning long rallies. The scores were locked at 7-7 at one stage before the World No.1 took a crucial point on a stunning deception.
But Coll stretched the game further taking it to 9-9 with Farag winning back-to-back points to secure a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth game, Farag, after dropping the first four points, fought back to take a 9-5 lead but Coll took four straight points to level scores at 9-9 again. However, the Egyptian avoided further suspense in the match with two consecutive points to seal his 21st PSA crown.
“We’ve been playing with each other for a good few years now, he wasn’t necessarily a very good junior or the most talented, but he’s a living example of inspiration,” said Farag, while praising Coll.
Coll, meanwhile, expressed satisfaction on his overall performance in the championship.
“It’s a tough feeling at the moment. I’m obviously very happy to reach another final here in Qatar, it’s a great tournament and a fantastic location,” said the World No.5.
With his title win yesterday, Farag also consolidated his lead on the men’s CIB Road to Egypt Standings.
