Paul Coll & Tinne Gilis Crowned 2026 New Zealand Open Champions

Home favourite Paul Coll and Belgium’s Tinne Gilis were crowned champions at the 2026 New Zealand Squash Open after producing standout performances on finals night at a sold-out Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.

World No.2 Paul Coll delivered a dominant display to secure a third successive New Zealand Squash Open title, overcoming Egypt’s Mohamad Zakaria in straight games. The Kiwi had looked in formidable form throughout the latter stages of the tournament, backing up impressive victories over Eain Yow Ng and Iker Pajares Bernabeu to reach the final.

Coll maintained that momentum in the final, controlling the tempo from the outset and applying relentless pressure with his trademark athleticism and precise length. Although Zakaria pushed hard in a competitive 17-minute opening game, the top seed held firm to edge it 11-7.

That early breakthrough proved decisive. With the home crowd firmly behind him, Coll raised the intensity further while Zakaria began to show the effects of his demanding semi-final less than 24 hours earlier - a gruelling 125-minute encounter with Joel Makin. Sensing his opportunity, the Kiwi accelerated through the remaining stages of the match, dominating the rallies to close out the contest 11-2 11-5 and claim the title in just 38 minutes.

The victory marked the 31st PSA World Squash Tour title of Coll’s career and extended his impressive record at his home tournament, much to the delight of the Christchurch crowd.

The women’s final produced a compelling family rivalry as sisters Tinne Gilis and Nele Gilis faced off for the trophy. Entering the match with just one victory from nine previous meetings on the Professional Squash Association World Squash Tour, top seed Tinne delivered a composed performance to capture her first PSA World Squash Tour title since October 2024.

The Belgian No.1 made a confident start, taking the opening game 11-6 with controlled, attacking play. Nele responded strongly in the second, levelling the contest with an 11-5 game as the match began to intensify.

The third game proved pivotal. Locked together deep into a tense 25-minute battle, Tinne demonstrated impressive composure under pressure. Facing game ball against her, she produced a burst of high-quality squash to reel off three consecutive points and steal the game 12-10.

Nele attempted to respond in the fourth, racing into an early 4-1 lead, but her younger sister refused to be rattled. Tinne gradually fought her way back into contention, eventually earning a championship ball. A controversial video referee decision followed, with what initially appeared to be a stroke for Nele overturned to a yes let. Undeterred, Tinne regained focus and converted her next opportunity to secure the title 11-9 after 78 minutes of play.

The victory represented a significant milestone for Tinne Gilis, whose composed performance in a high-pressure final underlined her growing status among the leading players on the PSA Tour.

The 2026 New Zealand Squash Open was staged at the iconic Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch from 3rd to 8th March.

For the details of how to watch match highlights, visit: psasquashtour.com

2026 New Zealand Squash Open, Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch, New Zealand
Final:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [3] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) 11-7, 11-2, 11-5 (38m)

Women's Final:
[1] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt [3] Nele Gilis (BEL) 3-1: 11-6, 5-11, 12-10, 11-9 (79m)

Men's Semi-Finals:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [9/16] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 11-3, 11-5, 11-1 (37m)
[3] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [2] Joel Makin (WAL) 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 13-11 (125m)

Women's Semi-Finals:
[1] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt [5] Marina Stefanoni (USA) 11-9, 11-5, 13-11 (41m)
[3] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [9/16] Torrie Malik (ENG) 11-4, 11-7, 2-0 ret. (25m)

Men's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [5] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 (34m)
[9/16] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt Matias Knudsen (COL) 11-4, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4 (61m)
[3] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [7] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (46m)
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [9/16] Patrick Rooney (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 (66m)

Women's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt [8] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-3 (34m)
[5] Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt [4] Aira Azman (MAS) 11-13, 11-1, 10-12, 11-9, 11-1 (49m)
[3] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [6] Aifa Azman (MAS) 12-10, 11-9, 11-3 (37m)
[9/16] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [9/16] Nour Heikal (EGY) 8-11, 11-7, 3-11, 12-10, 11-7 (56m)

Men's 2nd Round:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [9/16] Moustafa Elsirty (EGY) 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9 (65m)
[5] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt. Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 (51m)
Matias Knudsen (COL) bt [8] Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10 (70m)
[9/16] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt [4] Jonah Bryant (ENG) 10-12, 11-6, 12-10, 11-4 (85m)
[3] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [WC] Oliver Dunbar (NZL) 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 (40m)
[7] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt [9/16] Yannick Wilhelm (SUI) 13-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-7 (62m)
[9/16] Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt [6] Curtis Malik (ENG) 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 13-11 (65m)
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [9/16] Veer Chotrani (IND) 14-12, 14-12, 8-11, 9-11, 11-2 (88m)

Women's 2nd Round:
[1] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt [9/16] Alina Bushma (UKR) 11-9, 11-5, 11-2 (27m)
[8] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt [9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (26m)
[5] Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt [9/16] Grace Gear (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (28m)
[4] Aira Azman (MAS) bt [9/16] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 (20m)
[3] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [9/16] Haya Ali (EGY) 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 (25m)
[6] Aifa Azman (MAS) bt [9/16] Marie Stéphan (FRA) 12-10, 11-6, 11-6 (28m)
[9/16] Nour Heikal (EGY) bt [7] Tomato Ho (HKG) 6-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6 (43m)
[9/16] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [2] Salma Hany (EGY) 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 13-11, 11-6 (63m)

Men's 1st Round:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bye
[9/16] Moustafa Elsirty (EGY) bt [WC] Freddie Jameson (NZL) 11-4, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5 (44m)
[9/16] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) bt Henry Leung (HKG) 9-11, 11-5, 3-11, 11-6, 11-8 (55m)
[5] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bye
[8] Auguste Dussourd (FRA) bye
Matias Knudsen (COL) bt [9/16] Alex Lau (HKG) 11-4, 11-9, 11-5 (34m)
[9/16] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt Joseph White (AUS) 11-6, 11-6, 11-1 (38m)
[4] Jonah Bryant (ENG) bye
[3] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bye
[WC] Oliver Dunbar (NZL) bt [9/16] Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) 11-8, 11-6, 6-11, 2-11, 11-5 (63m)
[9/16] Yannick Wilhelm (SUI) bt Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) 11-3, 11-6, 11-7 (40m)
[7] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bye
[6] Curtis Malik (ENG) bye
[9/16] Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN) 11-3, 11-9, 13-11 (39m)
[9/16] Veer Chotrani (IND) bt Elijah Thomas (NZL) 11-2, 11-4, 11-5 (23m)
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bye

Women's 1st Round:
[1] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bye
[9/16] Alina Bushma (UKR) bt Alicia Mead (ENG) 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6 (51m)
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt Joelle King (NZL) 11-2, 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 (50m)
[8] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bye
[5] Marina Stefanoni (USA) bye
[9/16] Grace Gear (ENG) bt [WC] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) 7-11, 11-2, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 (44m)
[9/16] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) bt [WC] Ella Jane Lash (NZL) 11-7, 10-12, 13-11, 11-5 (45m)
[4] Aira Azman (MAS) bye
[3] Nele Gilis (BEL) bye
[9/16] Haya Ali (EGY) bt Madison Lyon (AUS) 11-2, 11-8, 11-9 (22m)
[9/16] Marie Stéphan (FRA) bt Jessica van der Walt (AUS) 11-4, 11-4, 11-6 (22m)
[6] Aifa Azman (MAS) bye
[7] Tomato Ho (HKG) bye
[9/16] Nour Heikal (EGY) bt Joshna Chinappa (IND) 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 13-15, 11-6 (45m)
[9/16] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt Cindy Merlo (SUI) 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6 (38m)
[2] Salma Hany (EGY) bye

The 2026 New Zealand Squash Open will be staged at the iconic Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch from 3rd to 8th March.

For the latest match updates as they happen and details of how to watch live, visit: psasquashtour.com

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have released the draws for the 2026 New Zealand Squash Open, with Paul Coll and Tinne Gilis confirmed as the top seeds for the PSA World Squash Tour event, which returns to the iconic Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch from 3rd to 8th March.

The tournament’s 22nd edition follows a landmark staging last year, when Paul Coll thrilled a sell-out crowd of 1,160 spectators to secure his second New Zealand Squash Open title - the largest attendance ever recorded for a squash event in the country. The home favourite is back once again, joined by a strong international field that includes World No.4 Joel Makin, reigning World Junior Champion Mohamad Zakaria and former champion Nele Gilis.

World No.3 Paul Coll arrives in Christchurch chasing a hat-trick of home titles, having also lifted the trophy in 2023 and 2025. The 33-year-old has already enjoyed a productive 2025-26 squash season campaign, highlighted by title wins at the London Squash Classic and Qatar Squash Classic, and will be keen to maintain that momentum in front of a partisan crowd. Coll opens his campaign against either Veer Chotrani or Moustafa Elsrity, with a potential quarter-final clash against Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng and a possible semi-final meeting with No.4 seed Youssef Soliman lying further down the line.

Second seed Joel Makin will be aiming to disrupt Coll’s home ambitions as he targets a second title of the season. The Welshman has endured a frustrating run of injuries in recent months but remains a dangerous proposition when fully fit. Drawn in the same quarter as England’s Curtis Malik, Makin will be confident he has the firepower to challenge for the title if he finds his best form.

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, excitement could build towards a potential quarter-final between No.3 seed Zakaria and No.5 seed Jonah Bryant. The pair contested a gruelling 109-minute encounter at the Qatar Squash Classic earlier this season, and a repeat meeting in Christchurch would be eagerly anticipated by fans.

In the women’s event, Belgian No.1 Tinne Gilis tops the draw as she looks to climb back towards her career-high ranking of World No.5. Although yet to reach a final this season, the World No.9 has been a consistent performer at the latter stages of major tournaments and was a finalist at this event in 2023. Gilis shares a quarter with No.8 seed Ka Yi Lee and could face her sister, No.3 seed Nele Gilis, in a potential semi-final.

The prospect of another Gilis sisters showdown adds further intrigue, with Nele returning to Christchurch as a former champion following her straight-games victory over Tinne in the 2023 final. Before that scenario can materialise, Tinne must first negotiate a second-round clash against either Alex Haydon or Haya Ali, while also navigating a section that includes No.6 seed Aifa Azman.

Egypt’s Salma Hany enters the event as the No.2 seed and will be another strong contender. The 29-year-old reached the semi-finals last year, defeating Tinne Gilis in a dramatic five-game quarter-final, and will be eager to build on a limited schedule so far this season as she pushes to re-establish herself inside the world’s top ten.

Local interest will be bolstered by four New Zealand wildcards across the two draws. Oliver Dunbar returns after his breakout run last year, which included a memorable upset over Rui Soares, while Elijah Thomas, Kaitlyn Watts and Ella Lash also receive opportunities to perform on home soil. Adding further star power, Kiwi squash icon and 2022 champion Joelle King will make her first appearance of the 2025/26 season, opening her campaign against Hollie Naughton.

With a world-class field, a historic venue and passionate home support, the 2026 New Zealand Squash Open is once again set to be a standout stop on the PSA World Squash Tour calendar.

Men's Draw:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) [bye]
Veer Chotrani (IND) v Moustafa Elsirty (EGY)
Karim El Hammamy (EGY) v Henry Leung (HKG)
[6] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) [bye]
[7] Kareem El Torkey (EGY) [bye]
Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) v Alex Lau (HKG)
Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) v Patrick Rooney (ENG)
[4] Youssef Soliman (EGY) [bye]
[3] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) [bye]
[WC] Oliver Dunbar (NZL) v Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) v Melvil Scianimanico (FRA)
[5] Jonah Bryant (ENG) [bye]
[8] Curtis Malik (ENG) [bye]
Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN) v Bernat Jaume (ESP)
Auguste Dussourd (FRA) v [WC] Elijah Thomas (NZL)
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) [bye]

Women’s Draw:
[1] Tinne Gilis (BEL) [bye]
Alicia Mead (ENG) v Amina El Rihany (EGY)
Hollie Naughton (CAN) v Joelle King (NZL)
[8] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) [bye]
[5] Marina Stefanoni (USA) [bye]
[WC] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) v Grace Gear (ENG)
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) v [WC] Ella Lash (NZL)
[4] Aira Azman (MAS) [bye]
[3] Nele Gilis (BEL) [bye]
Alexandra Haydon (AUS) v Haya Ali (EGY)
Marie Stephan (FRA) v Jessica van der Walt (AUS)
[6] Aifa Azman (MAS) [bye]
[7] Tomato Ho (HKG) [bye]
Alina Bushma (UKR) v Nour Heikal (EGY)
Torrie Malik (ENG) v Cindy Merlo (SUI)
[2] Salma Hany (EGY) [bye]

The 2026 New Zealand Squash Open will be staged at the iconic Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch from 3rd to 8th March.

For the latest match updates as they happen and details of how to watch live, visit: psasquashtour.com

UNSQUASHABLE will be represented at the 2026 New Zealand Squash Open by Iker Pajares Bernabeu and Yannick Wilhelmi.

2025 New Zealand Squash Open Results: InternationalSquashMagazine.com
2023 New Zealand Squash Open Results: InternationalSquashMagazine.com