Kiwi Paul Coll has celebrated his rise to the world No.1 squash ranking with victory at the Windy City Open at Chicago - the second major win of his career.
Coll, 29, has rallied from two games down to overcome unseeded Egyptian Youssef Ibrahim 7-11 10-12 11-4 11-7 11-9.
Since breaking through to win the British Open last August, he has become the first Kiwi male to achieve the world's top ranking, surpassing former world champion Ross Norman, who peaked at No.2.
Nicknamed 'Superman' for his supreme physical fitness, Coll had to draw on all those qualities as he fell behind his 17th-ranked opponent at Chicago, eventually prevailing in 96 minutes.
At 22, Ibrahim is known as 'Golden Boy', attends Princeton University and, as his moniker suggests, is one of the up-and-coming players on the squash circuit.
"I thought I played pretty well," says Coll. "Youssef was incredible, just shows the mark of a great player, really well done for this week.
"I thought he might have been a bit tired, but he fronted up.
"This week has been a hugely emotional week for me. I was trying to celebrate and stay focussed.
"I really wanted to win the tournament, but it was a big ask for me. It's the biggest week of my career and of my life."
The Windy City Open offers the biggest prizemoney on the world squash circuit - US$250,000 for both men and women - and the win is Coll's fourth in the past 12 months.
Next up, he will try to defend his crown at the Canary Wharf Open at London, starting March 13.
