[7] Paul Coll -08- (NZL) def Borja Golan -28- (ESP)
Match recap from Squash Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Classic.
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-of-16 Final: 11-3, 12-10, 3-0 ret (26m)
Unfortunately, Borja Golan – who’s always played his best squash in Doha (see below) – carried a nagging quadriceps injury into today’s first Round of 16 match. After 26-minutes, down 2-games and 0-3, he figured it best to wave the white flag rather than risk worsening the injury.
With the retirement, Paul Coll – who reached his first career Platinum Semifinal earlier this month at the US Open – advances to the Qatar Classic Quarterfinals for the first time. After an hour on court with World #25 Cesar Salazar yesterday, Superman will have all day to rest-up for Simon Rösner tomorrow. Paul earned a 90-minute victory over the German Tree Chopper just last month in the Semifinals of the China Open.
Announcer Corner | Even if healthy, Paul Coll is a tall-order for Borja Golan
Today was Paul and Borja’s first Tour-level meeting since the 2015 World Championship, where Golan earned a 3-game victory in the 2nd-Round. However, they’ve played three matches since then – in the English Premiere League and the World Teams. Paul Coll won all three, including a 76-minute, 4-game battle last December at the World Team Championships.
► Dec 2017 – World Team Championship – Paul Coll | Score: 8-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-1 (76m) | Non PSA
► Jan 2017 – English Premier League – Paul Coll | Score: 11-9, 13-11, 11-5 | Non PSA
► Dec 2015 – English Premier League – Paul Coll | Score: 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 15-13 (68m) | Non PSA
► Nov 2015 – PSA World Championship – Borja Golan | Score: 11-9, 13-11, 11-5 (55m)
Each player’s announcer introduction for today’s Round of 16 match…
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[7] Paul Coll -08- (NZL)
At 26-years-old, this 4-time New Zealand Nationals champion returns to Doha with a career-high ranking of World #8…and HE HAS BEEN ON A TEAR. He started the new season by reaching his 16th career Tour-level Final, defeating World #5 Simon Rösner to reach the championship match in Shanghai. He then took-down World #4 Tarek Momen at the US Open and became a PSA Platinum-level Semifinalist for the first time. Last December, he earned a career-best run at the World Championship, making his debut appearance in the Final-8 of the sport’s most-prestigious event. And on Sunday, he earned a 4-game, 53-minute victory over Cesar Salazar to reach the Round of 16 here in Doha for the first time. Competing in his 3rd Qatar Classic Squash Championship – From New Zealand, please welcome the #8 Player in the World – Paul “Superman” Coll.
▲ R2 — def Cesar Salazar -25- (MEX) 13-15, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (53m) | RECAP
▲ R1 — Bye
Borja Golan -28- (ESP)
With victories this week over Nathan Lake and Greg Lobban, this 16-time Spanish Nationals Champion is back in the Round of 16 at a PSA Platinum event for the first time since the 2017 Windy City Open, where he reached the Semifinals. And he always plays his best squash here in Doha. In 2013, he made his Platinum Semifinal debut on this court, earning his first career-victory over Gregory Gaultier. His two best results at the PSA World Championship came here in Doha, reaching the Quarterfinals in both 2012 and 2014.
Ranked as high as #5 in the World, in 2014 he qualified for the PSA World Tour Finals; and overall – owns 32 career PSA titles, has reached 43 Finals, and started the new season by capturing his second title at the European Individual Championship. Competing in his 8th Qatar Classic Squash Championship – From Spain, please welcome 2013 Qatar Classic Semifinalist, Borja Golan.
▲ R2 — def Greg Lobban -34- (SCO) 13-11, 11-8, 12-10 (48m) | RECAP
▲ R1 — def Nathan Lake -56- (ENG) 10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4 (56m) | RECAP
