U.S. Open: Coll Battles Back To Down Hesham

Paul Coll is into the semi-finals of the U.S. Open presented by TRUIST for the first time since 2018 after he came from 2-1 down to beat Mazen Hesham.

The New Zealand No.1 went the distance with Hesham, as Coll extended his unbeaten run against the Egyptian to seven matches in an 82-minute battle.

Hesham hadn’t taken a game off Coll in two years when the pair met at the British Open in 2021, but that run came to a halt as the Egyptian delivered a solid display to go in front.

However errors were costly for Hesham in the second game, as he found the tin on a number of occasions. Coll capitalised on the missed opportunities from Hesham to equalise.

Hesham regrouped in the third as he showed great mental fortitude to push through, with measured play from the World No.7 at the backend of the game helping him regain his lead.

Coll requested the new ball at the end of the third as the New Zealander reclaimed control and didn’t give Hesham a look in as he once again levelled the match.

A 6-3 lead for Coll in the decider was soon reduced by Hesham as he remained within touching distance, but with four games at his disposal, Coll converted at the second attempt to advance to the last four.

“It wasn’t panic mode – it was more frustration,” Coll said afterwards.

“I felt like I was getting myself into really good positions but I was over hitting my length, under hitting my length, hitting the side wall and I kept giving him [Mazen Hesham] a good position when I was in a good position.

“I’ve been trying to get better at that this week and hitting my higher and lower targets and to win rallies from good positions. I didn’t panic, it was just me trying to hit my targets. It was frustrating. 

“He’s evolved his game beautifully – he’s more patient and his length is underrated, he’s got that hold, he pushes you back and then he stabs in a drop.

“He’s lengthening the court out a bit better and being more patient. He’s maturing as a squash player with the weapons he’s got and it makes him a more dangerous opponent.” 

Result
[4] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 (82m)