Farag defeats Coll to make it two titles in a row at Qatar Classic

Stand up for the Champion!

Egypt's World No.1 Ali Farag successfully defended his Qatar Classic title on Saturday as he edged New Zealand's World No.5 Paul Coll 3-1 (11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9) in 61 minutes in the final at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.

His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), presented the winner’s trophy in the presence of several dignitaries including President of the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) Nasser Al Khelaifi, CEO of Professional Squash Association (PSA) Alex Gough and Tournament Director Tareq Zainal.

With his victory at the PSA World Tour Platinum event, Farag, 28, not only extended his head-to-head lead over the Kiwi, also 28, to 13-1, but he equally lifted his 21st PSA title in tow. The 2018-19 PSA World Champion also joined the elitist club of two-time champions in Doha which up till now has only three players - Mohamed ElShorbagy (2017, 2015, 2013), Karim Darwish (2010, 2008) and Peter Nicol (2002, 2001) as members.

For his effort, the Harvard-graduate not only lifted the championship trophy, but he also walked away with the $26,000 winner's prize money.

Enroute the final, Coll dominated Egypt's World No.12 Fares Dessouky 3-0 (11-9, 11-0, 11-0) in 37 minutes their semi-final clash, while Farag, the defending champion, got the better of the World Champion Tarek Momen (11-9, 11-2, 11-4) in 38 minutes in an almost one-sided match.

Such was the superior form of the 1.83m Farag over his compatriot that he took the second game in just seven minutes.

The Qatar Classic 2020 was the Egyptian's second title in succession since the Tour restarted following the six-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Farag had claimed victory at the CIB Egyptian Open last month to reclaim the top spot in world rankings.

"The first time I couldn't believe it, and this time around I can't believe it even more," said Farag following the match. "When I was younger, I used to watch the Qatar Classic and see all the great names of our sport lifting that trophy and I could only imagine standing there one day. To do it twice is an amazing feeling. We've been playing with each other for a good few years now, he wasn't necessarily a very good junior or the most talented, but he's a living example of inspiration."

For Coll, however, it marks the second year of frustration in Qatar following his defeat to World No.3 Tarek Momen in the PSA Men's World Championship final on the same court 12 months ago. It was his second Platinum final appearance, with his first at the Windy City Open back in March also ending in a defeat to Farag.

Coll said, "It's a hard feeling at the moment. I'm obviously very happy to reach another final here in Qatar; it's a great tournament and a fantastic location. "I always love coming here, and I've played well here year in, year out. I wanted it pretty bad today but fell short. It's a tough one to swallow, but Ali is World No.1 for a reason, and he played the end of every game very well, so well done to Ali."

Platinum tournament winners will qualify for the season-ending CIB PSA World Tour Finals as well as the top eight players on the standings. Farag is currently the only man to qualify following wins at both the CIB Egyptian Open last month and today in Qatar.

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