[3] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [7] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) 12-10, 12-10, 15-13 (78m)
Absolutely ridiculous match.
The frantic pace those two played today is absolutely out of this world. I remember the first time I saw them play, it was in Egypt, I think in Gouna. At the time, I thought that Joel was more of a grinder and Youssef a shotmaker. Those two have evolved in complete squash players, with Youssef working extremely hard on his fitness, and Joel has added so many layers to his game it’s unreal.
I can’t really make a game per game report as they are very alike: Youssef has one game ball in the first game (10/9), two in the second, 10/8, 10/9, and two in the third.
Joel managed to get under his opponent’s skin as he asked for several lets that could be not in the spirit of the game – but at the end of the day, there is nothing wrong with being streetwise, we have a few players that made a career out of it!
What is I feel very crucial to note is that, despite the intensity, the frantic pace, the adrenaline and testosterone running high, the stoppages due to the poor court conditions – had to stop to clear and dry it – the match was as fluid as can be. We had no blocking and that was very much appreciated. If one or both players had gone that road, it could have turned highly nasty.
I thoroughly enjoyed that battle. Ok, we have another powercut in the 3rd, 6/6, that could have advantaged Youssef – having a new lease of life after all that running – but it didn’t last more than 10m, and probably didn’t have any real effect on the outcome.
A match to watch on replay, I recommend it!
Youssef : I’m not happy at all with how I played today. I played the big points so badly, I had the opportunity in every game, even though I was not feeling my shots at all today. The court was so much more bouncier than the first day, and I didn’t hit on it yesterday, so it felt very weird in my racquet.
I needed to find a way to play a good basic game but I didn’t feel I was containing him for the whole match. He was moving me around, so I was the one who did most of the work. Had I won the first or the second, it could have been a completely different story.
I’m so disappointed how I played the big points, but all credit to him, obviously. He stuck in mentally.
I was playing very well, I’m feeling physically good after the injuries I had for three years, so there is no excuse not to play well today. I had a good run of wins in the last tournaments so today was disappointing, but all credit to him.
Joel : “He’s got quick-fire skills,” Makin said. “He’s got world-class skills, which is always exciting. It’s like when you see Gawad or Mazen on there, you know you’re going to see something different.
“They’ve all got their unique touch, doing something a little different each, but if you can nullify that by tactics and trying to contain someone always leads to a good matchup.
“I was very frustrated with the first round. I was firing as I wanted to and I wasn’t as aggressive as I wanted to be. So I had a good word with myself and you can out with a bit more a clear head afterwards.”
