Greymouth's Paul Coll has broken his run of losses to Egyptian Mostafa Asal to reach the final at the Qatar Open in Doha.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021 www.photosport.nz
The pair had met three times previously on the PSA World Tour, with Asal winning all three contests.
They had an average match time of over 95 minutes, but this match was nothing like the others, as Coll showed his class throughout for a 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 win in 46 minutes.
The 29-year-old West Coaster put an end to his winless streak as he switched up his tactics to keep composed and find his length and range against Asal, who looked to be struggling to find any consistent rhythm in the match.
The win puts 2021 British Open champion Coll into his third final in Qatar, following the PSA World Championships in 2019 and the Qatar Classic last season.
"He's one of the in-form players at the moment," Coll said after his first win over the Egyptian.
"When you get him in the draw you know it's going to be brutal and tough. He had an incredible U.S. Open, I've got big respect for how he backed up four five-setters in a row, but for me it was a huge mental battle and a hurdle I had to get over to beat him. I'm very happy with my performance today, I changed my tactics a little bit and it worked well for me.
"I had to get it past the volley, avoid the service area. His forehand is a big weapon, he's so tight down this backhand that it's a really good combination for him. I had to be really disciplined with my target hitting and get it past him.
Coll will play good friend Diego Elias of Peru in the final and has a 2-1 win/loss record over him including a win a couple of weeks ago in San Francisco.
"I love it. I've been saying all week third time lucky, so I hope tomorrow I can do it. I love coming to Qatar every year, I love this court and I've got a good feeling on it. Third time lucky would be great, I'm playing my good mate Diego, so I'm sure it will be a good battle. We said whoever wins is buying the drinks tomorrow night."