[7] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) 3-1 [2] Paul Coll (NZL) 3-11, 11-5, 11-2, 11-8 (67m)
What a performance.
To be honest, after the first game, I called a 3/0 for Paul. The way he was playing, taking the ball very very early, aggressive, assertive, taking the time away from Youssef… He was at the same time completely structured and fiesty at the front. It was a perfect combination.
But then… I am famous for getting it wrong…
Out of the blue, after losing the first game 11/3 in 12m, Youssef just switched the turbo on. No, the turboS on. Suddenly, Paul didn’t have a single choice to make till the fourth game. Youssef was firing on all cylinders. Far less errors than usual, Youssef was forcing errors and strokes out of Paul, who looked lost, completely outplayed. 11/5 in 14m, 11/2 in 8m.
I truly thought we were going for the decider, as Paul seemed to find his marks again, he was the one getting awarded with strokes, and the score was tighter than it had been the whole match. 5/5, 6/6, 7/7.
Three points in a row, Youssef is again on fire, carried by the kids in the crowd. 10/7, match ball. A backhand drop shot from Paul, Youssef feels the line is between Paul’s shoulder blades… and BOOOOUM. One Youssef down. It reminded me of Shabana crashing in the back of David Palmer a few years ago. Youssef out for the count, Paul didn’t feel a thing…
So a few minutes for the Egyptian to recover, we are now 8/10 as a no let is called. But it’s just Youssef’s night, and it’s a lovely short winner nick, Paul is out, Yous is in his first EVAH world semi…
Youssef : It means so much to me to have Shabana watching me play. He is my idol, he made me fall in love with the sport.
“This year, I started to work with a sports psychologist for the first time, as you know me, I usually get really animated, but I’ve been trying to stay more composed and calmer. So, I think starting from November, I just started to be calmer on court. It’s definitely helped a lot.
“I thought in the first game, the ball was bouncy and it was super hot. Starting at the end of the second, I felt the ball started to drop off, and I tried to take my chances. I think I caught him a bit off-guard in that period and in the third.
Bumping into Paul:
“I felt really dizzy for a little bit, and then I started to calm down a little bit once off court. It wasn’t too serious; these things happen on court.“On match ball, as soon as I saw an opening on my forehand, I went for it, and luckily I pulled it off.”
🗣️ "This is my last tournament [of the season]… I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can and then I'll get the surgery done within a week."
Youssef Ibrahim reveals that he'll sign off for the season after the Worlds…. can he finish with a win!? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/lekku32FV7
— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) May 14, 2026
