Coll Men’s Player of Year
El Sherbini and Sobhy joint winners
MEN
Although world no.1 Ali Farag and young gun Mostafa Asal got a few
ticks at the ballot box, New Zealand’s Paul Coll was a clear
winner among our panellists. The work he has put into his game with
coach Rob Owen has made an immense difference, especially at the front
of the court, propelling him to world no.2 – the first Kiwi to reach
such heights since Ross Norman over 30 years ago. His roar in the
British Open final after a superb breakthrough victory over Farag could
be heard across Humberside!
Steve Walton: “Coll’s relentless efforts to improve
and take on the Egyptians will inspire a new wave of players.”
WOMEN
The panel could not be split on this one, so we have joint winners in
Nour El Sherbini and Amanda Sobhy. James Zug calls the
Egyptian the “obvious choice” after she won four of the six events she
entered, including the World Championships and the British Open. Others
went with their heart, choosing the ever-engaging Sobhy for her rise to
world no.3, her home-soil victory at the NetSuite Open and bravery for
going public about her past battle with bulimia.
Richard Eaton: “El Sherbini won the world title for a
fifth time which means Nicol David is the only woman to have won more.”
Jamie Maddox: “Battling the Egyptians must be very tough but Amanda has
done remarkably well and playing such a skilful brand of squash.”
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