Eain Yow falls again to Coll as Kiwi cruises into semis

PETALING JAYA: National squash player Ng Eain Yow’s losing streak against Paul Coll continued at the New Zealand Open.

World No. 19 Eain Yow was no match for world No. 2 Coll, who took just 34 minutes to defeat Eain Yow 12-10, 11-9, 11-3 in the quarter-finals at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.

Coll, spurred on by more than 600 home fans in the venue, barely gave Eain Yow an opening during the match as he claimed his 10th win against the Malaysian in 11 meetings.

Second seed Coll was glad his plan worked.

“I had a solid gameplan and I felt good on the court. The rest of my training has been rolling in, and I felt that energy out there.”

Meanwhile, it was over for fourth seed Aira Azman after losing 13-11, 1-11, 12-10, 9-11, 1-11 to fifth seed Marina Stefanoni of the United States in a 49-minute women’s quarter-final match.

Stefanoni was glad to beat the Malaysian again after etching out a win at the Tournament of Champions in January.

“I think it was fitting that I won because I did have a bunch of game balls in the third. She (Aira) just had nothing to lose on those points,” said Stefanoni.

“I don’t feel like I changed anything. She is just super dangerous, so I’m glad to be through to the semis.”

It was the same end for Aifa Azman as she lost 10-21, 9-11, 3-11 to Belgium’s Nele Gilis in another last-eight match.

QUARTER-FINALS

(Malaysians only)

Men: Paul Coll (Nzl) bt Ng Eain Yow (Mas) 12-10, 11-9, 11-3,

Women: Marina Stefanoni (Usa) bt Aira Azman (Mas) 11-13, 11-1, 10-12, 11-9, 11-1; Nele Gilis (Bel) bt Aifa Azman (Mas) 12-10, 11-9, 11-3.

RESULTS