Kiwi Paul Coll has broken his run of losses to Egyptian Mostafa Asal to reach the final at the Qatar Open in Doha.
The pair had met three times previously on the PSA World Tour, with Asal coming holding a 100 percent winning record against the Greymouth native.
But in just 46 minutes, Coll turned the tables on the Egyptian, showing his class throughout for a 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 win.
The 29-year-old West Coaster put an end to his winless streak, switching up his tactics to keep composed and find his length and range against Asal, who looked to be struggling to find any consistent rhythm in the match.
The win puts 2021 British Open champion Coll into his third final in Qatar, following the PSA World Championships in 2019 and the Qatar Classic last season.
"He's one of the in-form players at the moment," Coll says of the Egyptian.
"When you get him in the draw you know it's going to be brutal and tough. He had an incredible US Open and I've got big respect for how he backed up four five-setters in a row, but for me it was a huge mental battle and a hurdle I had to get over to beat him.
"I'm very happy with my performance today, I changed my tactics a little bit and it worked well for me.
"I had to get it past the volley, avoid the service area. His forehand is a big weapon, he's so tight down this backhand that it's a really good combination for him.
"I had to be really disciplined with my target hitting and get it past him."
Coll will play good friend Diego Elias of Peru in the final and holds a 2-1 win/loss record over him, including victory earlier this month in San Francisco.
"I love it," says Coll. "I've been saying all week third time lucky, so I hope tomorrow I can do it. I love coming to Qatar every year, I love this court and I've got a good feeling on it.
"Third time lucky would be great, I'm playing my good mate Diego, so I'm sure it will be a good battle.
"We said whoever wins is buying the drinks tomorrow night."
