Joel Makin -33- (WAL) def Mathieu Castagnet -26- (FRA)
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-of-16 Final: 11-4, 11-8, 7-11, 8-3 ret (60m)
Match recap from Squash Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Classic.
Frustrating injury for the World #26 Mathieu Castagnet, who was making his best PSA Platinum run since reaching the 2017 British Open Quarterfinals. That said, after an hour on court, it didn’t look like there was any way to stop the human bulldozer, Joel Makin.
The Welshman is a relentless tank. This week, he’s welcomed the punishment of endless rallies on Doha’s speedy glass court. His fitness and stamina have rewarded him. Yesterday, he endured and hour and 46 minutes with the Colombian Cannonball. In Round-1, he battled for an hour and 18-minutes with Rex Hedrick. He hasn’t out-finessed opponents this week, he’s simply out-lasted all three with tremendous endurance.
Hey, it worked 12-days-ago against the World #1 in Weybridge, where he took-out Mohamed Elshorbagy in the Quarterfinals of the St. George’s Hill Classic. Why wouldn’t it work here? With today’s win, Makin advances to his first career Platinum Quarterfinal…in his Qatar Classic debut.
Announcer Corner | Makin’s last victory over Castagnet was also ground-breaking
Joel and Matheiu met just once before, earlier this month in the 2nd-Round of the US Open. It was a 4-game, 86-minute battle that lifted Makin into his first-ever Platinum-level Round of 16.
► Oct 2018 – US Open (R2) – Joel Makin | Score: 4-11, 15-13, 11-9, 12-10 (86m)
Each player’s announcer introduction for today’s Round of 16 match…
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Joel Makin -33- (WAL)
This 23-year-old, 2016 Welsh National Champion is making his Qatar Classic debut, and comes into Doha on the heels of the biggest win of his career. 12 days ago, he upset World #1 Mohamed ElShorbagy in 3 tie-break games, advancing to the Quarterfinals of the St. George’s Hill Classic for the first time. Yesterday, he backed it up with a 5-game, 106-minute victory over World #5 Miguel Angel Rodriguez to reach his second consecutive Platinum Round of 16.
The truth is, he’s been on a roll since May. At the tail end of last season, he captured his 3rd career PSA title at the Tring Open – then opened the new season by winning the Thanet Open title, reaching the Quarterfinals in Shanghai, competing in the final round of the European Club Championship, and earning his first two Platinum-level main-draw victories at the US Open. Competing in his 1st Qatar Classic Squash Championship – From Wales, please welcome the #33 Player in the World – Joel Makin.
▲ R2 — def [5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez -06- (COL) | Score: 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9 (106m) | RECAP
▲ R1 — def Rex Hedrick -51- (AUS) | Score: 8-11, 11-5, 13-11, 8-11, 11-3 (78m) | RECAP
Mathieu Castagnet -26- (FRA)
With wins over Youssef Soliman and Cameron Pilley, this 31-year-old, 3-time French Nationals Champion is through to the Round of 16 here in Doha for the first time. Last March, he won his 4th PSA Tour title at the Wimbledon Club Open and is now a 10-time Finalist on Tour. Ranked as high as World #6; in 2016, he reached his first Platinum-level Semifinal at the Tournament of Champions in New York. That season, he finished in the top-8 on the Road to Dubai and made his PSA World Tour Finals debut, where he earned his first career victory over squash legend Nick Matthew. Competing in his 6th Qatar Classic Squash Championship, he battles tonight for a spot in his 9th career Platinum-level Quarterfinal. From France, please welcome Mathieu Castagnet.
Last year, Mathieu finally won his first match here in Doha, defeating qualifier Alan Clyne in the 1st-Round. In Round-2, he fell to Nick Matthew in 3-games.
▲ R2 — def Cameron Pilley -23- (AUS) | Score: 16-14, 11-2, 11-8 (48m) | RECAP
▲ R1 — def Youssef Soliman -37- (EGY) | Score: 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5 (58m) | RECAP
