SUPPLIED
Paul Coll stretches for a shot in his British Open match against Gregoire Marche of France.
New Zealand’s world No 1 squash player Paul Coll has moved into the quarterfinals of the British Open with a straight game win over Frenchman Gregoire Marche.
Coll won 12-10 11-6 11-9.
The defending champion dominated the early exchanges, pinning Marche in the back corners and forcing errors from the Frenchman’s racket, to run out to a 7-1 lead.
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However, Marche responded and patiently made his way back into the game by changing the pace and working Coll. Marche saved two game balls to level at 10-10, but he made two errors under pressure and Coll went 1-0 up.
Coll stepped up a gear in the second game and got himself in front of Marche more often so was able to play more accurate drops. These attacking shots paid off as he took a 2-0 lead, winning 11-6.
Supplied
Coll on his way to beating Marche in the British Open.
He booked his place in the last eight, winning 11-9 in the third game and continues his title defence.
The 29-year-old from Greymouth gave his opponent plenty of credit as well as being pleased with his own game.
“He’s extremely talented with the racket and very quick, so I tried to tie him down and keep it straight and accurate. Maybe I got a little passive at times, but I was very happy with my overall length hitting and thought I contained him quite well.
“It’s one of the things I love most about squash is constantly evolving my game and adding different parts, learning and making myself better every day, it’s one of my favourite parts of being an athlete, that’s why I analyse every day and continually try to figure out what works best.
“I was very happy with that, I’ll change my game plan depending on whom I’…….
