Top Kiwi Squash Player Paul Coll Gunning For Top 20 World Ranking

Breaking into the world top 20 is the next target for Kiwi men's squash number one Paul Coll.

The Greymouth-raised Cantabrian has a career-high ranking of 34 and knows jumping into the upper echelon would bring significant rewards.

Coll took out the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tour's New Zealand International Classic in Palmerston North on Sunday and is home for this week's Christchurch International Open at the Burnside club, where he is top seed. The main draw runs from Thursday to Sunday.

"Getting into the top 20 in the next year would be good because I can make the main draw at world series events without having to qualify," he said."That's my next short term goal to get in the top 20."

Coll, 24, has enjoyed a stellar past 18 months, featuring titles at the London Open, Paris Open, the Australian Day Challenge and Northern Territory Open.

He further announced himself as a rising star on the pro circuit, claiming the Australian Open last August, the most impressive tournament win of his career.

Achieving a top 20 ranking was tangible if he kept performing strongly at major events and was consistent with his play, he said.

Coll credited his improvement to a stint at the Meer club in Amsterdam, where he has been based for the past 10 months.

"You've definitely got to go overseas if you want to make it in squash [from New Zealand].

"Practicing against them and getting used to that speed and intensity they play at [has helped]."

Squash has taken Coll around the world. He plays in some unique destinations, which included a glass court at New York's Grand Central Station this January, which drew more than 200,000 spectators.

Like professional golf and tennis players, it can be challenging financially if you are not delivering.

Thankfully, he was contracted to Squash New Zealand and has a three-year sponsorship deal with Eye rackets. 

"It's getting easier at the moment because my ranking is getting up there. 

"Qualifying for these [big] events is a risk because I've got to fly there and if I don't win matches, there's no money."

Coll was excited about playing in Christchurch again.

Several family members are journeying over from the West Coast and he will have plenty of friends in the crowd.

Malaysian Ivan Yuen, the world No 54, is the second seed and will resume his healthy rivalry with Coll.

The pair met in the semi-finals in Palmerston North and last month's Hong Kong International with Coll prevailing both times in five-set marathons.

"I think Ivan will be in the mix again. He's really fit and fast and has good shots. He's a tough player to beat and break down."

Eight of the world's top 100 players are competing in the Christchurch tournament, which carries a purse of $US10,000.

You can watch the excitement on Stream 1 here and Stream 2 here

Draws for the PSA event can be found here whilst the local event and local draws can be found here

The finals of qualifying will be held tonight from 6pm at the Burnside Squash Club.

AT A GLANCE: 

Top seeds for Chch Open: (world ranking)

1. Paul Coll (New Zealand) 34

2. Ivan Yuen (Malaysia) 54

3. Angus Gillams (England) 87

4. Peter Creed (Wales) 80

5. Joshua Masters (England) 81

6. Joshua Larkin (Australia) 92

7. James Huang (Chinese Taipei) 96

8. Lance Beddoes (New Zealand) 102

9. Evan Williams (New Zealand) 99

Round 1 of qualifying was held at the Burnside Club on Tuesday night:

Mohad Syafiq Kamal (MAS) beat Luke Jones (NZL) 11/9, 10/12, 11/8, 11/2 (38 mins)

Jackson Beresford (NZL) beat Elliot Selby (ENG) 11/7, 9/11, 11/9, 11/9 (31 mins)

Chang Wook Woo (KOR) beat Jason van der Valt (NZL) 11/4, 11/6, 9/11, 11/7 (30 mins)

Ben Grindrod (NZL) bye

Eain Yow Ng (MAS) beat Chris van der Salm (NZL) 11/8, 10/12, 11/3, 11/4 (34 mins)

Oliver Johnston (NZL) beat David Clegg (AUS) 11/7, 7/11, 11/4, 12/10 (43 mins)

Rhys Dowling (AUS) beat Sion Wiggin (NZL) 11/7, 11/8, 11/3 (24 mins)

Ashley Davies (ENG) bye