Pilley Powers Into Australian Open Final

Australia’s number one squash player Cameron Pilley powered into the final of the 2015 Australian Open courtesy of a hard fought win over compatriot and national number two Ryan Cuskelly in Melbourne yesterday.

Pilley came through in a tough five-game encounter to book his place in the final, his first on the PSA World Tour since 2012, where he will face training partner Paul Coll of New Zealand with the title on the line – with the chance to become the first Australian to win the event since Stewart Boswell in 2009.

“Ryan beat me in the nationals in December, and I knew if he played that well again today he’d beat me again,” said Pilley after his win.

“I had to limit his options. There were patches where I restricted him to nothing, and other times he was too good for me.

“It would be pretty special with the return of the Australian Open to have an Australian win it. I went pretty close before, losing the fifth set to Stewart Boswell 11-9, so hopefully tomorrow will be different.”

Coll, who came into the Australian Open unseeded, defeated the fourth, fifth and seventh seeds en route to the semi-finals where he ended the run of dangerous Pakistani talent Nasir Iqbal, 7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6.

“Words can’t describe how happy I am now,” he said.

“I didn’t even think I could do it, I’ve even had to change my flight home!

“I train a lot with Pilley, but I wouldn’t say I know his game because he’s pretty tricky – I just know it’s going to be tough.”

Semi-final Results:
[1] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [3] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 3-2: 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-8
Paul Coll (NZL) bt [5] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) 3-2: 7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6

Final Draw:
[1] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Paul Coll (NZL)