Joel Makin Believes British National Win Can Launch Him Into New Era

By Gareth James

Joel Makin believes he has taken a huge stride forward after dethroning champion Mohamed ElShorbagy to become British National champion.

The Welsh star – currently ranked world number nine – beat ElShorbagy, the only UK player ranked higher at eight, in a pulsating final.

Once again it was Makin’s trademark fitness that proved decisive as the Pembrokeshire player came from behind to take his second title. 

In a five-game, 85-minute epic at St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club in Weybridge, Surrey, Makin won 8-11, 15-13, 11-3, 8-11, 11-2 in Weybridge.

“It wasn’t looking good for the first half hour,” said 29-year-old Makin.

“I had to bite my tongue a bit and dig in. He nullified me and controlled the pace. He was clinical and I had to wait for him to deviate and me to find my spots.

“For the past two years he’s put on unbelievable performances. I’ve taken those losses and come back. It was a massive one to win and I’m so happy to get over the line.

https://twitter.com/sqwales/status/1825487909601857597

“It was massive to win the first one, but this is almost a new era now. We have Mohamed and Marwan [ElShorbagy] both in the draw and to come through a week where you’ve got to beat both of them back-to-back, it’s something I’m very pleased with because these are world-class players and have been for years.”

Wales No.1 Makin defeated defending champion ElShorbagy to claim his first British Nationals title since 2021.

ElShorbagy stormed to a 5-0 lead in game one and despite Makin rallying back to 8-10, the two-time champion kept composed and took the first game.

In the second game, both competitors traded points in attritional rallies to a tie-break.

ElShorbagy had the first four attempts to convert the game, but Makin dug in and saved four game balls before taking the game on the first time of asking at 15-13.

https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1825476683421389146

Makin put pressure on the 33-year-old in the third game as he pulled away on the scoreboard from 3-3 to 11-3, to go a game away from the title.

The former World No.1 began game four with an intensity that Makin struggled to match as he took a quick 8-2 lead. The Welshman lengthened the rallies and battled back to 8-10, but ElShorbagy held on to take the match to a decisive fifth game.

But the Englishman looked more fatigued that his Welsh counterpart as the clash continued past 80 minutes, and Makin dominated the fifth game to win the dramatic final and claim the second Nationals title of his career.

 

 

 

 

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