Two New Zealanders will vie for Commonwealth Games Gold in squash on Monday.
Joelle King Photo: 2018 Getty Images
New Zealand's Joelle King will play for gold, after beating Malaysia's veteran 3-time Commonwealth gold medallist, Nicole David.
King won the match in 4 games, 13-11, 11-5, 1-11, 11-5.
King was composed throughout the match, even when David came storming back in the third game, winning it 11-1 in just 6 minutes.
"I kind of tried to imagine I was back in Cambridge, playing on those back courts. I just tried to play my best really," King said.
"She's a great player, and great players find a way out of a hole."
"It was kind of one of those 'let it go, reset, and come back out and play my game in the next game.'"
The crowd at the arena is amazing, she said, and helped her along.
"You can either be over-awed by the occasion or you can embrace it, and enjoy every minute of it."
She will play England's Sarah-Jane Perry at about 8pm NZ time on Monday.
Paul Coll will play for the gold medal in the men's competition, after beating Wales' Joel Makin in 5 games.
In an intense, often fiery match, the New Zealander came back to win 1-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-8.
There were numerous stoppages for rules disputes, court cleaning, and even a broken shoe.
Coll said that's what happens in squash, and he kept telling himself to reset and refocus after every rally.
"Don't get carried away with the score...just stay to my tactics, stay true to myself, and shake things up."
Coll said he wouldn't have believed four years ago that he would be playing for Commonwealth Games gold.
"To be playing for gold for New Zealand tomorrow, it is one of the biggest dreams I could ever have."
Coll will play England's James Willstrop tomorrow night at about 9:30 NZ time.
"I've played him a few times. He's obviously a very experienced and class player. I'm going to go out there and give it my all, and hopefully do my country proud."
