Makin Captures Second Manchester Open Title After Lobban Victory

World No.10 Joel Makin has won his first title of the 2023/24 season after defeating Greg Lobban in straight games at the Manchester Open. 

Makin, the No.2 seed at the PSA World Tour Silver event, has been near-faultless all week long, and continued this impressive form to claim his second career title at the Manchester Open, defeating Scotland’s Lobban by an 11-5, 13-11, 12-10 scoreline. 

As has become custom in recent times, Makin settled into his work in methodical fashion, elongating the rallies and forcing Lobban into some tough movements in the back two corners. The World No.20 had endured back-to-back five-gamers on his way to the title decider, and the plan from Makin to force him deep into the back two corners reaped its rewards, with the Welshman moving into a one-game lead after 14 minutes. 

A 23-minute second game followed, with Lobban fighting through some serious physical discomfort to force a tie-break with a string of particularly impressive attacking squash. However, it was Makin who turned up the pressure in the dying moments of the second game to double his advantage in the match.

Lobban continued to go stride for stride with Makin early in the third, opening up a two-point buffer for the first time in the match at 7-5 up. With two-game balls in hand, it looked like Lobban would send the match to a fourth game, but Makin once again found his very best squash to reel off five consecutive points and win the title after 56 minutes of action.

After the match, Makin said: “I thought I played the big points well today. In the second game there were a few tight exchanges and I came out on top. Fair play to Greg [Lobban] – he’s playing a good level now and looks like he’s loving his squash. In the middle of the third game when he hit a crosscourt nick off the back wall on the forehand I was thinking he’s starting to put a few balls away and making things difficult. I had to get my lines back, get the volley back and tidy things up. I was happy to get through that.

“It’s great to have some Welsh support here. I do feel like I’m playing at home, to be honest. I’ve played for years here and this is my fifth Manchester Open. I’ve always had a good record here, not sure why but I always enjoy it. It’s been good fun and thanks to everyone for coming down this week, it’s been busy crowds all week and getting behind the players. I’ve had a great time.

“As well as getting a win it’s nice to get four, hard matches on a glass court with the crowd and playing those matches properly. That’s about as good training as you can get, you need to go back and do some work but this is the perfect preparation. I’ve got Tarek [Momen] in the first round at the Rep Theatre which will be good fun and the atmosphere will be good as well.”

Result:

[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [7] Greg Lobban (SCO) 3-0: 11-5, 13-11, 12-10 (56m)