2 Sep 2017

Coll breaks into squash top 10

2:04 pm on 2 September 2017

New Zealand squash player Paul Coll has broken into the top 10 of the world's squash rankings.

New Zealand squash player Paul Coll

New Zealand squash player Paul Coll Photo: Supplied

Greymouth-born Coll is the first male New Zealander since Ross Norman in 1995 to reach the top 10 of the sports world rankings.

The 25-year-old is currently competing in the China Open in Shanghai and has continued his good form defeating fourth seed Fares Dessouky (Egypt) 11-6 11-3 11-4 in 40 minutes.

He now plays Egyptian top seed Ali Farag for a spot in the final.

New Zealand's Joelle King is also playing in the China Open and has scored another big win defeating eight-time World Champion Nicol David (Malaysia) in a hard fought five-game victory.

The win comes a day after King upset 2016 tournament champion England's Laura Massaro.

"It's been a while since I've played as well as this so I'm trying to enjoy the moment - to beat two legends of the game back-to-back is a great achievement," said King.

"I had never beaten Nicol before and I was behind twice there. I'm pleased with the way I managed the mental side of the game and stayed tough in there and it's nice to finally get that win over her. "