MCO Final: Coll Defeats Cardenas in marathon duel

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan – World No.4 Paul Coll captured his first title of the 2024/25 PSA Squash Tour season after defeating Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas in a marathon, 91-minute encounter at the DR21 Motor City Open 2025 in Metro Detroit.

No.2 seed Coll, a strong favorite in the 25th edition of the Silver-level event after the withdrawal of four-time champion Diego Elias, was pushed all the way throughout the brutal encounter at the Birmingham Athletic Club, eventually taking the match by an 8-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 scoreline.

The four-game win was a demonstration of Coll’s relentless hitting, physical power and mental steeliness, with the New Zealander having to fight back from 1-0 down – game ball down in the second – on his way to capturing the title.

(MCO photo)

The match started in an attritional manner, with both players happy to elongate the rallies but equally retain the high tempo of the match. It was Cardenas, though, who managed to get himself an early lead on the scoreboard, never letting Coll retake the lead throughout the 26-minute first game. The Mexican No.1, who was celebrating his 25th birthday, finished off a brilliant first game with a sublime overhead volley into the nick.

Coll came out of the traps quickly in the second, looking to press on the short line and hunt down the volley on both sides. However, Cardenas continually proved tough to break down, coming from behind to hold a game ball on his racket at 10-9 up.

Victory. Coll celebrates his first MCO title. (PSA photo)

New Zealander Coll, though, drew on all of his experience in this crucial moment of the match. At 10-9 down, he pulled off a string of incredible retrievals to force a tie-break before levelling the match after almost 50 minutes of breathless squash.

The two players continued to go toe-to-toe in a well-matched third game, but two consecutive strokes from Cardenas at 7-7 opened the door for Coll. The No.2 seed held his nerve to move 2-1 up and within a game of the title.

“Leonel was impressive,” said Coll afterwards. “I thought he was getting very tired, but he never gave me any cheap errors. I had to hit winners to win it. Credit to him because he was playing very well and very tough. It was nice to see him playing like that. He made it very tough today, a bit tougher than I would have liked, but it was a good battle.”

Cardenas has a point for 2-0 lead. (PSA photo)

As much as Coll continually threw attacks the way of Cardenas in the fourth, everything came back his own way with interest. The New Zealander managed to open up a three-point buffer at 6-3 up, but saw this lead evaporate, with the possibility of a fifth game well on the cards with the players locked in at 9-9.

The MCO marked its 25th year before packed stands. (MCO photo)

However, as had been the case in both the second and third games, it was Coll who found his best squash at this pivotal moment. The 32-year-old managed to squeeze out Cardenas down the backhand wing on his first championship ball, letting out a huge roar towards his team as he picked up his first PSA Tour title since April 2024.

“It’s been pretty tough for me all week,” said Coll. “I haven’t been on my top form, but I’m very proud of how I got through it mentally. To get the title here today in my third final here at the Motor City Open, I’m extremely proud.”

Coll’s name will now join an elite list of champions on the Motor City Open trophy, with the likes of David Palmer, Jonathon Power, Amr Shabana, and Mohamed ElShorbagy having all won the Detroit-based event.

“I’m starting to feel a bit better on court,” reflected the New Zealander. “This week was good for working a few things out and getting through a few tough matches mentally. I managed to find some good form at the back end. I’m excited to hit home to my hometown and play some good squash.”

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