Joel Makin recorded a stunning victory in the quarter-finals of the British Open in Birmingham, defeating world champion Diego Elias.
The 29-year-old produced his finest performance to win 11-9, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8 at the Birmingham Rep Theatre and become the first Welshman to reach the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament since 2000.
“It was really amazing. I felt like I could do it,” Makin said.
“I knew I could shake him up a little bit. I know he’s an incredible squash player, but there was space there. I knew if I had a good line and I got the ball along the sidewall, I had a chance against anybody.”
“I’m really happy that we were able to do that.”
Until this week, the Birmingham-based Makin had never won the British Open despite playing in the tournament every year since 2017.
Makin became the first Welsh player to reach the quarter-finals since Alex Gough in 2002 but now he has gone one better, ending Wales’ wait for a men’s semi-final appearance since David Evans won the tournament 24 years ago.
Makin, who won the Manchester Open two weeks ago, will face world number one Ali Farag of Egypt in the semi-finals on Saturday.
“I’ve had my issues this year but I’m in good form and I’m in good shape. I’ve got two fights left for a big title and it could be anyone who wins now. There’s going to be some big matches,” Makin added.
Makin’s compatriot and England’s number one player, Georgina Kennedy, will face world champion Nooran Gohar in the women’s quarter-final on Friday.
The remaining quarter-final sees Gohar’s fellow Egyptian Hania El Hammamy take on Belgium’s Tinne Gillis, while two other Egyptians, Nour El Sherbini and Nour El Tayeb, have already qualified for the semi-finals and will meet on Saturday.
Friday’s remaining quarterfinals in the men’s singles will see Egypt’s Mostafa Assal take on American Timothy Brownell and Malaysia’s Ein Yeow Ng take on New Zealand’s Paul Coll.
