Paul Coll. Photo: Photosport
New Zealand's world No.3 Paul Coll has kicked off his international season in style, retaining his title at the London Squash Classic by dispatching British rival Joel Makin in straight sets.
Defending champion Coll saw off world No.4 Makin 13-11, 11-7, 11-8 at Alexandra Palace to earn the 29th PSA Squash Tour title of his career.
It capped a remarkable for the 33-year-old, who came close to exiting the tournament in the second round stage - surviving three match balls against Egypt's Mohamed Abouelghar.
He saw off Youssef Soliman and Eain Yow Ng in his next two matches before saving his best for the final.
"I'm stoked, I could have lost in the second round, I was down some match balls, but I knew the type of squash I was playing and I had faith in that," Coll said.
"I felt great and knew I was playing well. It's tough to come out firing in the first match of the season and he (Abouelghar) was playing really well. It wasn't that I improved, but I needed to get that match under my belt.
"It can be tough to have a couple months off and then come back out. I'm very happy with how I went through the tournament."
In the match immediately preceding Colls', his wife and Nele Gilis lost the women's final against Egypt's Amina Orfi.
Coll said he couldn't afford to be distracted in the leadup to his own match.
"We've been here before, it's quite tough but I try and keep my emotions in check. I'm very proud of her, I thought she played really well. I had to try not to get too excited or too down," he said.
Coll will next contest the Egyptian Open, in front of the spectacular Great Pyramid of Giza, starting later this week.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
