Peru’s World No.9 Diego Elias prevailed in a five-game thriller with New
Zealand’s World No.7 Paul Coll to lift his biggest PSA title at the
Troilus Canada Cup Squash title in Toronto, Canada.
It’s the Peruvian’s first title since the ReidBuilt Homes Edmonton Open
when he defeated Mexico’s Cesar Salazar back in 2016 and his fifth PSA
title overall.
The two players were facing each other for the first time since last
year’s U.S. Open when Coll defeated the Peruvian in straight-games , but
it was Elias who got the better of the Kiwi on this occasion as he twice
held off a comeback from Coll to take home the PSA Silver title.
The two players went toe-to-toe throughout the gruelling 98-minute
encounter, which saw the momentum swing between both players until the
final game when Elias was able to close out an 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 8-11,
11-7 victory.
New Zealand’s World No.7 Paul Coll and Peru’s World No.9 Diego Elias
will meet in the final of the Troilus Canada Cup Squash after defeating
Egyptians Mohamed Abouelghar and Marwan ElShorbagy, respectively.
This season’s Canada Cup Squash tournament is the biggest PSA tournament
in the country’s history with a total prize purse of $81,500 on offer in
Toronto.
Kiwi Coll powered past Egypt’s Abouelghar in straight-games in a rematch
of their China Squash Open final meeting which saw the Egyptian claim
the win.
However, top seed Coll who has been in strong form all week, only
dropping one game en route to the final, was again on song to dispatch
Abouelghar by an 11-8, 11-8, 11-2 scoreline to advance to his first
final since the China Squash Open.
He will now face Elias (above) in the final after the Peruvian defeated
Egypt’s World No.10 ElShorbagy in straight-games to advance.
Number four seed Elias took just 31 minutes to send number two seed
ElShorbagy out of the tournament as he claimed an 11-7, 11-4, 11-4
victory.
The final will be played on March 7 at 18:45 local time (UTC-5).
After three days and twenty matches in Toronto, the Troilus Canada Cup
is still yet to see a shock, as the top four seeds have reached the semi
finals stage.
No.2 seed Marwan ElShorbagy (above) was the only man to drop a game in the
quarter finals, as he beat Australia’s Ryan Cuskelly.
The Egyptian, who reached the World Championship final in 2017, will
face the Peruvian Puma, Diego Elias, in the last four.
Elias overcame Declan James in the quarters in three, beating the
Englishman in 37 minutes.
The second semi final will be contested by the World No.7 and No.8, Paul
Coll and Mohamed Abouelghar.
Paul Coll (r) and Mohamed Abouelghar will meet in the semi finals in
Toronto
The New Zealander beat England’s Tom Richards 11-8, 11-4, 11-3 in the
last eight, getting past the tournament’s No.6 seed inside 40 minutes.
He faces Mohamed Abouelghar, who beat Hong Kong’s Tsz Fung Yip in the
quarters, advancing to the semis in 41 minutes.
New
Zealand’s World No.6 Paul Coll will headline a high-quality draw at the
Troilus Canada Cup Squash, with the PSA Silver tournament taking place
in Toronto between March 3-7 after the main draw was released today.
This season’s Canada Cup Squash tournament will be the biggest PSA
tournament in the country’s history with a total prize purse of $81,500
on offer.
"It will be our 12th year running, and second year as a PSA event. We
look forward to continue growing and showcasing squash in Canada", said
Tournament Director, Shahier Razik.
26-year-old Coll has enjoyed a strong season so far, reaching the
semi-finals of two PSA Platinum tournaments - the U.S. Open and Black
Ball Squash Open, as well as a runner-up finish at the China Squash
Open.
The Kiwi, who along with the other top eight seeds receives a bye into
round two, is seeded on the same side of the draw as the likes of
Egypt’s World No.9 Mohamed Abouelghar, England’s former World No.12 Tom
Richards and Hong Kong’s Tsz Fung Yip.
Coll will begin his tournament against either England’s Nathan Lake or
Adrian Waller, depending on who comes out on top in their round one
clash.
Seeded at the opposite end of the draw is Egypt’s World No.8 Marwan
ElShorbagy. The Egyptian is seeded to meet Peru’s World No.10 Diego
Elias in the semi-finals, but will first have to navigate a draw that
includes the likes of England’s Declan James and last season’s
tournament runner-up Australia’s Ryan Cuskelly.
ElShorbagy will open against either Malaysia’s Ivan Yuen or Egypt’s Omar
Abdel Meguid in his opening match in Toronto.
Home interest comes in the form of Canada’s World No.89 Michael McCue,
who resides in Toronto and takes the wildcard spot. He will face Egypt’s
Karim Ali Fathi in round one.
Tickets can be purchased through the venues and more information on the
event can be found at the tournament’s website:
https://www.canadacupsquash.com/
or you can follow them on
Facebook.