Paul Coll and Hania El Hammamy are the 2023 TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open Champions after winning contrasting finals at the Xicu Centre …
[2] Hania El Hammamy (Egy) 3-0 [3] Amanda Sobhy (Usa) 6-5 trd (10m)
[5] Paul Coll (Nzl) 3-2 [1] Ali Farag (Egy) 10-12, 11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9 (82m)
Horrible end to women’s final as Amanda crashes out
[2] Hania El Hammamy (Egy) 3-0 [3] Amanda Sobhy (Usa) 6-5 rtd (10m)
The women’s final was cut short as at 5-all in the first game, Amanda Sobhy suffered a leg injury that immediately ruled her out of continuing the match.
It’s the 13th title of El Hammamy’s career and her second Platinum title of the season, having won the Qatar Classic back in September.
“I’m not exactly feeling great. I’ve never defended a title before and I’ve always. wanted to do that but I never got the chance. This is definitely not the way I wanted it to be, defending my title.
“It’s devastating what happened on court – we were midway through the first game, it was very close and all of a sudden I see Amanda on the floor crying.
“It’s very sad, I feel bad and I don’t feel great, to be honest. It’s not a title I want to celebrate, but I want to wish her a speedy recovery.”
Coll wins epic to claim first HK title
[5] Paul Coll (Nzl) 3-2 [1] Ali Farag (Egy) 10-12, 11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9 (82m)
New Zealand’s Paul Coll defeated top seed Ali Farag in an epic five-game battle to become the first male New Zealander to be victorious in Hong Kong, which was his second major title of the season having defeated the Egyptian at the U.S. Open.
It was the third time this campaign that Coll and Farag went head-to-head and the quality from both has been of the highest order. Both players were pushing high up the court from the off, as Farag drew first blood by taking the first 12-10.
Coll found great success with the forehand drop in the front right corner as he levelled the match before going 2-1 up by clinching the third 11-8.
Having been under huge pressure from Coll in the third, Farag roared back as he held his nerve to level the match and send the epic encounter into a decider. Both players were going point for point right up to 9-9 when a no let decision went in Coll’s favour to give him championship ball. The Kiwi converted following an error from Farag to score the 22nd title of his career.
“I’m stoked! After U.S. Open I was preparing for this one – I had Singapore as well but this was my main target. “I really wanted to target the Platinums this year and I’ve got my team with me to try and win that.
“I’m happy with my performances – not just tonight but all week. I’ve really tried to play some aggressive squash and this is the brand that I’m going for.
“To get a second Platinum of the season is very good for my confidence with the way that I’m playing. I want to keep that going for the rest of the season.”
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Preview
After six day of action there are just four players left in the quest for the 2023 TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open titles.
Amanda Sobhy and Hania El Hammamy turned in devastating performances in last night’s semi-finals, but only one can claim the title. They’re both appearing in their second Hong Kong finals, Sobhy was runner-up in 2016 while Hammamy is the defending champion. The Egyptian leads the H2H 8-4, and haw won four of their five meetings so far this year, which were all quarter or semi finals.
A new men’s champion is guaranteed as Ali Farag takes on Paul Coll. Kiwi Coll has been in impressive form this week, taking out two higher-seeded opponents, but top seed Farag has yet to drop a game. The Egyptian has a healthy 19-7 H2H lead but in their 12 meetings since 2021 it’s 6-apiece.
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