Joel Makin -33- (WAL) def [5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez -06- (COL)
Match recap from Squash Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Classic.
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-2 Final: 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9 (106m)
Wow. Another huge victory for Joel Makin, who’s proving that Weybridge wasn’t a “one-off.” 10 days ago, he defeated World #1 Mohamed ElShorbagy in 3 tie-break games to reach the Quarterfinals at St. George’s Hill.
Yesterday, he had to battle for 78-minutes with Rex Hedrick to reach his first career clash with the World #6, Miguel Angel Rodriguez. Yet, Makin was no worse for the wear. If anything, the Golden Tiger welcomed punishing rallies despite the Colombian Cannonball’s signature endurance. After 106-minutes, Makin looked up to find himself in his second consecutive Platinum Round of 16.
Clearly, Joel Makin is on the climb – with great conditioning, strength and a yeoman’s Welsh work-ethic that continues to reward him with tremendous results. He’s spent more time on-court than any other player at this year’s Qatar Classic. We’ll see if this relentless tank can continue his stampede tomorrow against Mathieu Castagnet.
Oh, and keep this in mind. As US Open announcer Bill Buckingham will point out – Makin and Castagnet met earlier this month in Philadelphia. Makin earned victory in 86-minutes, reaching the Round of 16 at a PSA Platinum event for the first time.
► Oct 2018 – US Open (R2) – Joel Makin def Mathieu Castagnet | Score: 4-11, 15-13, 11-9, 12-10 (86m)
Each player’s announcer introduction for today’s Round-2 match…
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Joel Makin -33- (WAL)
This 23-year-old is making his Qatar Classic debut, and comes into Doha on the heels of the biggest win of his career. 10 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. And he’s enjoyed an amazing run since last May. At the tail end of last season, he captured his 3rd career PSA title at the Tring Open – then started 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.
Welsh National Champion in 2016, he’s reached the National Championship Finals four years running. Competing in his 1st Qatar Classic Squash Championship, he reached tonight’s 2nd-Round match with a 5-game, 78-minute victory over Australia’s Rex Hedrick on Saturday. From Wales, please welcome the #33 Player in the World – Joel Makin.
▲ R1 — def Rex Hedrick -51- (AUS) | Score: 8-11, 11-5, 13-11, 8-11, 11-3 (78m) | RECAP
[5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez -06- (COL)
Over the Summer, he was recognized by his country as the greatest Colombian Squash Player of all time – and after the way he closed out last season, the high honor comes as no surprise. He went undefeated in May, capturing his first Platinum-level title, defeating World #1 Mohamed ElShorbagy to become the first South American ever to win the British Open title. From there, he traveled to Guatemala and earned his 28th career PSA title at the Internacional Sporta Open; and by season’s end, reached the PSA World Tour Finals for the second time.
But he wasn’t done. Before the new season began, he captured individual Gold, along with Team and Mixed Silver at the Central America & Caribbean Games. He then earned Mixed Doubles Gold and Team Silver at the Pan American Team Championships. The highest ranked South American player of all time, he’s been ranked as high as World #4 and has reached a total of 38 career Tour-level Finals. Competing in his 6th Qatar Classic Squash Championship. From Colombia, please welcome the #6 Player in the World – The Colombian Cannonball – Miguel Angel Rodriguez.
▲ R1 — Bye
