Coll Wins US Open Squash Title Over Elias

New Zealand's Paul Coll defeated Diego Elias 3-1 in Philadelphia to claim his second US Open squash crown.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Tennis

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New Zealand's Paul Coll defeated Diego Elias 3-1 in Philadelphia to win his second US Open squash title, rallying from a game down. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Paul Coll came back from a game down to beat Diego Elias 3-1 in the US Open squash final in Philadelphia. The victory is Coll's second US Open title and the 35th PSA tour title of his career.

Why it matters

The win underscores Coll's position among the sport's top players, with the world No.2 ranking and a second title this season. It also marks another step in the rivalry with Elias, whom he has now beaten in several meetings.

Coll won the match 3-1 after losing the opening game 11-8, winning the next three 11-5, 11-6 and 11-8. Elias had won 12 of their 21 previous meetings before this final.

The players

Paul Coll

A New Zealand squash player from Greymouth who is ranked world No.2 and has now won two US Open titles.

Diego Elias

A squash player ranked world No.3 who won the 2022 US Open title and lost this final to Coll.

The details

Coll hit eight winners to Elias's three in the second game and won three of the four rallies that exceeded 35 shots. He repeatedly targeted Elias's front-left corner in the third game, and reached the final by coming back from two games down against Aly Abou Eleinen in the semi-final.

Timeline

  1. Saturday: Coll defeats Aly Abou Eleinen in the semi-final.

  2. November 8, 2026: Coll defeats Diego Elias 3-1 in the US Open final.

Season Trajectory

Coll's second title of the season adds to his strong 2026 campaign, positioning him as a leading contender in the PSA tour standings. The result also keeps the Coll-Elias rivalry, which has produced multiple title matches, at the center of the top of the men's game.

Coll's second US Open title and 35th PSA tour title move him closer to the top of the tour standings, which can affect seeding for upcoming events. Fans tracking the sport can follow the Coll-Elias rivalry in future PSA draws.

The takeaway

Coll's comeback from a game down underscores how squash finals are often decided by late-game consistency rather than early momentum. Readers following the sport can track how such momentum swings shape rankings over a season.

Further reading

For more racket sport results, see our Tennis coverage.

Source note: This article includes information reported by RNZ.