Coll forced to work to progress in Qatar

Paul Coll (right) challenges Mohamed Abouelghar at the Qatar Classic. PHOTO: PSA
Paul Coll (right) challenges Mohamed Abouelghar at the Qatar Classic. PHOTO: PSA
World No 3 Paul Coll has won a battle with world No 23 Mohamed Abouelghar for the second time this season to book his place in the semifinals of the Qatar Classic.

Coll narrowly avoided defeat to the Egyptian at the London Classic earlier this month, and again had to dig in to oust Abouelghar in Doha yesterday.

Abouelghar played some tremendous squash early but Coll was up for the challenge with the pair claiming a game each in the early stages.

However, in the third game, the Egyptian strained his Achilles when stretching for the ball and was inhibited for the rest of the match.

Abouelghar’s impressive racket skills made Coll work for the win but despite the best efforts of the physio at the end of the third and fourth games, he was unable to fully recover as Coll closed out the win.

"It was a very physical match on this court — you have to do a lot of deep movements," Coll said.

"It was nice to have a clean battle that was all about the squash. I was annoyed because I had game ball in the third and shanked it into the tin. I think he did that in London, so it was roles reversed this time.

"I’m very happy with the game. I could have been a bit more consistent, if I’m being picky. My length dropped off a bit and he’s too deadly when that happens."

Coll will play Englishman Jonah Bryant for a place in the title decider. — Allied Media