R2: [4] Paul Coll (Nzl) 3-0 Nicolas Mueller (Sui) 11-6, 11-8, 12-10 (44m)
A tough three game win for Paul Coll over Nicolas Mueller to set up a meeting with Greg Gaultier …
Three-nil wins are hard to come by against Nici Mueller, and while the ‘Swiss Rocket’ was always playing catchup in the first two games with Coll dictating the pattern of play, he unleashed from the outset of the third, keeping just ahead through most of the game.
The Kiwi stayed in touch though, and found the extra needed at the end to secure passage into the last sixteen.
Nici: I was a bit too passive in the first two games. Paul was controlling the middle and l was always on the backdoor.
In the third l was aggressive and hitting wise l’m happy. But it was hard for the body although I’m happy with my movement. But heavy breathing for sure..
Paul: “Nici came out well in the third. I thought I was going to run away with it from the start but he hung strong, he can hit winners so easy off the volley, such a dangerous player right to the end and I am very happy to get through in three.
“I saw a little bit of Greg’s first, he is playing really well for his age. It is incredible how he keeps going and keeps playing at such a high level. Really looking forward to the match tomorrow. It is going to be very tough, he is super experienced, and still very high quality, but I am really excited for it.
“He is one of the best movers in the game. You’ve got to be careful moving the ball round, he gets on it very quickly. He has one of the best backhands in the world so it will be a battle down that side and I will just have to look out for the backhand kill that he loves.”
🗣 "He's playing really well for his age, it's incredible how he keeps going."
We caught up with @paulcollsquash to discuss his @BlackBallSquash win over @MuellerNicolas and his upcoming RD3 match with Gregory Gaultier 🎥 pic.twitter.com/kd5R1YTZoK
— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) March 21, 2021
