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13/08/2015
Australian Open 2015
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Men's Event
 Unseeded New Zealander Paul Coll
(right) caused a massive upset by beating
top seeded Australian Cameron Pilley, the World No.21, in the final of
the 2015 Australian Squash Open in Melbourne.
Coll, a regular truing partner of Pilley’s, was a surprise finalist
having secured his place in the title-decider with upsets over the
seventh, fourth and fifth seeds, and he continued his superb run of form
to stun the home crowd and see off hot favourite Pilley in four games –
become the first New Zealander ever to claim the Australian Open crown.
“I never even imagined being here,” Coll said.
“There was massive butterflies before I even started, as soon as I
walked in here I saw the crowd, I knew it was something special.
“But I had nothing to lose, my coach just told me to relax, I’d already
done well, so I played with a bit of freedom tonight.”
Pilley, who lost his only other final in five games, recently
invited Coll to train with him in The Netherlands.
Coll said he hopes the training relationship will continue.
“He’s a great guy, and we have some great training sessions together,”
Coll said.
“We get on well, I hope he keeps on with me, he’s a really experienced
player and I can still learn a hell of a lot from him.”
Result – Final:
Paul Coll (NZL) bt [1] Cameron Pilley (AUS) 3-1: 11-7, 5-11, 11-6, 11-5
Women’s Event
New Zealand’s Joelle King upset top seeded Annie Au of Hong Kong to win
the 2015 Australian Open – her first tournament triumph since undergoing
surgery on her Achilles tendon last year.
The former World No.4 looked back to her best as she romped to the title
courtesy of a commanding straight games win to lift the trophy in
emotional scenes.
“As soon as I finished the match I got quite emotional,” King said. “You
just remember all the work you’ve done leading up to that moment. It’s
been a long ride.
“Anything is possible, especially when I think back to where I was eight
or nine months ago, and where I am now.
“I think there’s still a lot of room for improvement, I’m still not
exactly where I want to be – so look out top ten!”
Result – Final:
[2] Joelle King (NZL) bt [1] Annie Au (HKG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-9
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