Sheikh Joaan crowns Egypt's Ali Farag Champion of Qatar Classic 2020
Doha, November 08, 2020- HE Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned Egypt's World No.1 Ali Farag, champion of Qatar Classic 2020, after his 3-1 victory over New Zealand's World No.5 Paul Coll in the final match.
The Egyptian player defeated New Zealander 11/8, 6/11, 11/9, and 11/9 in the 61-minute game at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
HE President of the Qatar Tennis Squash and Badminton Federation Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, Secretary-General of the Federation Tariq Zainal, and Alex Goff, CEO of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Alex Gough attended the final match.
With his victory at the PSA World Tour Platinum event, Farag, 28, not only extended his head-to-head lead over the Kiwi, also 28, to 13-1, but he equally lifted his 21st PSA title in tow. The 2018-19 PSA World Champion also joined the elitist club of two-time champions in Doha which up till now has only three players - Mohamed ElShorbagy (2017, 2015, 2013), Karim Darwish (2010, 2008) and Peter Nicol (2002, 2001) as members.
For his effort, the Harvard-graduate not only lifted the championship trophy, but he also walked away with the $26,000 winner's prize money.
The Qatar Classic 2020 was the Egyptian's second title in succession since the Tour restarted following the six-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Farag had claimed victory at the CIB Egyptian Open last month to reclaim the top spot in world rankings.
"The first time I couldn't believe it, and this time around I can't believe it even more," said Farag following the match. "When I was younger, I used to watch the Qatar Classic and see all the great names of our sport lifting that trophy and I could only imagine standing there one day. To do it twice is an amazing feeling. We've been playing with each other for a good few years now, he wasn't necessarily a very good junior or the most talented, but he's a living example of inspiration."
For Coll, however, it marks the second year of frustration in Qatar following his defeat to World No.3 Tarek Momen in the PSA Men's World Championship final on the same court 12 months ago. It was his second Platinum final appearance, with his first at the Windy City Open back in March also ending in a defeat to Farag.
Coll said, "It's a hard feeling at the moment. I'm obviously very happy to reach another final here in Qatar; it's a great tournament and a fantastic location. "I always love coming here, and I've played well here year in, year out. I wanted it pretty bad today but fell short. It's a tough one to swallow, but Ali is World No.1 for a reason, and he played the end of every game very well, so well done to Ali."
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