Kiwis Claim Australian Open Titles

Unseeded Paul Coll caused a major upset by beating top-seeded Australian and training partner Cameron Pilley as New Zealand stole the show on finals day at the Australian Squash Open in Melbourne.

Coll and former world number four Joelle King made it a winning double for New Zealand, with second seed King also upsetting the top seed, Hong Kong's Annie Au, in the women's final, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9.

So convinced was 23-year-old Coll that he couldn't win the Australian Open, he booked a flight back to New Zealand for Saturday afternoon.

His 11-7, 5-11, 11-6, 11-5 victory is also the first time a New Zealander has won the Australian men's title.

"I never even imagined being here," said Coll after his fourth straight win over a higher-seeded opponent.

"There was massive butterflies before I even started, as soon as I walked in here I saw the crowd, I knew it was something special.

"But I had nothing to lose, my coach just told me to relax - I'd already done well, so I played with a bit of freedom tonight."

Pilley, who lost his only other Australian Open final in five games, recently invited Coll to train with him in The Netherlands.

Coll said he hopes the training relationship will continue.

"He's a great guy, and we have some great training sessions together," Coll said.

"We get on well, I hope he keeps on with me, he's a really experienced player and I can still learn a hell of a lot from him."

It was an emotional Joelle King who claimed the women's title, in just her second tournament back after a serious Achilles injury.

"As soon as I finished the match I got quite emotional," King said.

"You just remember all the work you've done leading up to that moment. It's been a long ride."

King is setting her sights on climbing back up the world rankings, after slipping into the 50's since her injury exactly a year ago..

She believes her win in Melbourne shows getting back to number four is achievable.

"Definitely, there's no reason why not," she said.

"Anything is possible, especially when I think back to where I was eight or nine months ago, and where I am now.

"I think there's still a lot of room for improvement, I'm still not exactly where I want to be - so look out top ten!"