Joel Makin Serves Up French Lesson To Power Into Qatar Classic Last Eight

Joel Makin booked his place in the Qatar Classic quarter-finals with another convincing display.

The 26-year-old beat France’s World No.38 Lucas Serme 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-7) at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex.

Eighth-seed Makin will now face World Champion Tarek Momen after the Egyptian beat England’s James Willstrop 3-1 on Thursday.

“I want to win the big events,” said the Haverfordwest-born player.

“I have made the semis a few times and I have beaten a few of the top guys but I want to do that regularly.”

Joel Makin on his way to beating reigning world champ Tarek Momen in Egypt for the third time in a row.

Makin beat Momen for the third time in the row on his way to the semi-finals of the World Tour finals in Egypt last month.

World No 10 Makin was made to work hard by Serme on Wednesday, but he still ran out the winner in straight games after 52 minutes on court.

“You know how mobile Lucas is,” added Makin. “A couple of two wall boasts I put in and he was just jumping all over them.

“To play him, you have to really get your tactics right and be deliberate when you go in short.

“Make sure you’re not chucking them out there easily because he’s so fluid and light and a great mover on court.

“You have to be really sensible and stick to your plan, otherwise you can open up too much and that’s not the way you want to play.”