Farag Holds Off Coll to Claim Second Windy City Open Title

Ali Farag denied Paul Coll a second successive title at the Windy City Open presented by the Walter Family, holding off a dramatic fourth-game fightback to beat the New Zealander 3-1 in the men’s final. 

Coll came into this matchup as the only man to have beaten Farag on the PSA Tour this season, sinking the World No.1 twice in major finals, at both the U.S. Open presented by TRUIST and the TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open. 

Both of those encounters had gone deep into a fifth game, so anticipation was high for another blockbuster inside the spectacular Cathedral Hall at the University Club of Chicago, and the crowd was not disappointed. 

The New Zealander had not dropped a game coming into this final, but that perfect record was ended by the World No.1, who took the opener 11-7 after 13 minutes. 

Key to Farag’s success in that game had been his accuracy down the forehand side, gluing the ball to the right-hand wall, leaving Coll with little room to attack.

The opening game had also featured relatively short rallies, an unusual occurrence in Coll’s matches, but that all changed at the start of game two. The New Zealander got more height into his shots and elongated the rallies, bringing the style of play back into his favour. 

A clever switch of play brought about a clench of fist from the Kiwi as he moved 7-4 up, and he was soon on level terms at one game all, slamming a flat backhand winner cross court to take his second game ball. 

A tough rally opened game three, with no sign of a physical let-up from either player, but Farag regained control, attacking that forehand side once again. 

A forehand down the line at 10-7 put Farag back on top, and within one game of glory, and he started the fourth like a man on a mission.

Now controlling the rallies, Farag was putting on a clinic and brought up four championship balls at 10-6 up, with the match appearing to be headed for a somewhat anti-climatic finish. 

Paul Coll had other ideas. 

The Kiwi saved one, then two, then three championship balls, then drew a huge roar from the crowd as he crunched a backhand winner down the line to send the game to a tie break. 

A brutal rally followed as tensions remained on a knife edge inside the arena, with the video referee called upon after a coming together of the players. 

A stroke was awarded to Coll, handing him game ball, but he will perhaps be left wondering what could have been, missing a golden opportunity by slamming a backhand kill into the tin. 

Farag himself then poked a forehand into the tin to give Coll another game ball, but a further video referee decision went the Egyptian’s way this time, ruling no let when Coll tripped over his feet. 

A high backhand volley into the nick handed Farag a fifth championship point, but once more he was denied, crashing into Coll’s back as he chased down a sharp backhand volley. 

Not only did that deny Farag victory, it also resulted in more drama for the audience watching on, as the World No.1 was forced from the court due to his ears popping after the collision.

He was granted a 15-minute break as it was a ‘contributed injury’, but he returned to court after just a couple and soon brought an end to the drama, taking his sixth championship ball on a backhand squeeze which Coll could only help into the tin. 

“I’m very relieved after missing opportunities to finish out the match,” Farag said on court, after his win. 

“It’s testament to Paul’s character. He never gives up until the very end. I was preparing for a fifth game and I think that settled me down a bit and made me play a little bit better. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Paul, the way he raises his game season after season. 

“He is making me a better player, [Karim] Darwish and I have a tailored session for Paul because of how good he is. He’s making me a better player and I’d like to thank him for that. I’d also like to thank the ambassador of Egypt, who is here today. 

“She’s making us very proud and raising our flag is what we play for. I’d like to congratulate the Windy City Open for 40 years of an amazing spectacle. I know I’m biased but this is one of my favourite stops on tour and this is the same for so many players. 

“It’s such an amazing city, it’s so vibrant and the people are so welcoming here. The University Club has played host to so many amazing battles and so many amazing memories. Thank you to all the sponsors throughout the years. 

“We’re missing the Walter family this year, but they have shown incredible support for our sport and it’s one of the reasons we will be playing the Olympics in 2028. Thank you to them and everyone who has put this together.” 

Result: 
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [3] Paul Coll (NZL) 3-1: 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 15-13 (73m)