British Open SFs: Faultless Farag Ends Makin Dream Run 

World No.1 Ali Farag delivered a masterful performance to end the giant-killing run of Joel Makin at the British Open and advance to the title decider in straight games. 

Birmingham-based Makin had already made history this week at The Rep Theatre, becoming the first Welshman to reach the semi-finals of the prestigious event since David Evans 24 years ago, but he couldn’t replicate these heroics against an in-form Farag, who claimed the win by an 11-3, 11-9, 11-7 scoreline. 

Defending champion Farag started the match in exquisite touch, elongating a number of rallies beyond the 90-second mark, with Makin being forced to do the majority of the work across the back two corners. From 2-2, Farag went on to win nine of the next ten points to move one game up. 

Makin, who was a little too passive in the first game, came out firing after the game-break, pushing high up on the ’T’ and moving into a 6-0 lead with a string of aggressive points. However, as has become custom in recent years, Farag responded in emphatic style, weaving his web on the ’T’ line and sapping the energy from his opponent to draw parity at 7-7. Makin would go on to save one game ball, but Farag held strong to double his advantage after a 20-minute second game. 

The match continued in a similar fashion early in the third, with Makin managing to move the scoreline to 4-4 without ever truly troubling the top seed, who absorbed pressure incredibly well throughout the semi-final clash. Farag advanced to 10-6 up, and at the second time of asking, sealed victory when Makin clipped a drop shot into the tin. 

“Joel has been in immaculate form recently, and deservedly so,” Farag said after the match. “He has been in and out with injuries, and he has shown what a competitor he is when he is fully fit. Even at some points today when I felt like I was dominating the ’T’, he kept coming back. But for me, I had to hit my targets well, and try to twist him and turn him as much as possible. 

“He’s not as patient as he used to be, he’s more aggressive, he takes his opportunities, and I had to try and take this away from him. I think I did that well today, so I’m very pleased. 

“I have very good memories here, the atmosphere is probably the best show in our sport, so thank you all. Even though I was playing against the favourite British player here, I think the crowd was very appreciative of every shot and every rally, and that was really enjoyable.”

Result: 

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Joel Makin (WAL) 3-0: 11-3, 11-9, 11-7 (54m)