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00:00:00This is the Wimbledon Club. Let's go and have a good day today.
00:00:04This is the Wimbledon Club. Let's go and have a good day today.
00:00:06We're looking forward to this former final semi-final.
00:00:09So the world is coming just in a moment.
00:00:11Less than a minute everybody.
00:00:13We're going to bring the players off to the glass floor.
00:00:15So make sure you make lots of noise for the final match today.
00:00:32We're going to bring the players off to the glass floor.
00:00:58Hello everybody and welcome to semi-finals day of course.
00:01:02Make some noise Wimbledon Club.
00:01:05Squash fans having a great day today watching some outstanding squash.
00:01:09And it's now time to introduce you to our final two players of the day.
00:01:14First up please welcome everybody a 10 time PSA Tour champion.
00:01:18It's the Golden Tiger from Wales.
00:01:21Joel Makin.
00:01:34And ladies and gentlemen please welcome the world number one
00:01:38and the defending champion here at the Optasia Championships.
00:01:42It's the Raging Bull from Egypt.
00:01:45Mustapha Asal.
00:02:06Well we've had a monumental semi-finals day today here at Wimbledon.
00:02:10We're in the last one.
00:02:12It's the second for the men.
00:02:14Mustapha Asal the defending champion.
00:02:16The current world champion and world number one.
00:02:18He plays Joel Makin.
00:02:20Last year's semi-finalist and number three seed for this event.
00:02:26I'm Joe Barrington and I'm joining Paul Johnson in the commentary box
00:02:30after his match between Norel Shabini and Gina Kennedy of England.
00:02:36Well looking forward to this one because we had a blinder of the first men's semi-PJ.
00:02:40It's been a blinder of semi-finals day so far Joey.
00:02:43I think every match has been littered with quality.
00:02:45And I don't think this will be any different.
00:02:50Number four seed Joel Makin has come back to a bit of form after being out with some injuries.
00:02:55He's one of the few players that can really trouble Mustapha Asal.
00:03:01Yeah, great physical presence on the court.
00:03:04A tough, tough season for him but there's still plenty more squash to be played.
00:03:07We've got after this the platinum in Alguna, the world championships in Cairo
00:03:12and the most prestigious and historic, the British Open in Birmingham.
00:03:16The last World Tour finals which is where Joel Makin got success over Asal.
00:03:22Canada at the end of last season.
00:03:25So lots of squash to come but presently we're here at the Wimbledon club.
00:03:33The crowd just having a bit of a break after that last women's semi.
00:03:38They'll be coming in to take the rest of those seats but it is packed to the rafters.
00:03:43Joel Makin's father there and Myles Jenkins who will be advising him in between games.
00:03:55It becomes a bit of a discussion back and forth when they're there and Joel really analytical
00:04:01about the game for obvious reasons but he'll be chomping at the bit to get stuck into Asal.
00:04:07Asal has not lost a single game since October.
00:04:10I think people are getting fed up with that storyline now, Joey, but everyone's waiting for that.
00:04:14It's almost a bit back to the old days of Jahangir Khan when he went on the unbeaten run for
00:04:18555 matches.
00:04:20Five and a half years didn't lose a match, four and a half years didn't lose a game.
00:04:24So we're not quite in that realm yet but there's already a few murmurings.
00:04:30Shebagi got close yesterday but aside from that it's been blistering from the 24-year-old.
00:04:35So he's on the cusp of the magical 80% win rate.
00:04:40All the greats of the game have dominated for long periods of time and hit that 80% more.
00:04:49Getting very close to 350 matches now, 24 years of age.
00:04:55He's at the pinnacle of the game, world champion and world number one.
00:04:59Well, a former world number one there, Jumbo from Fonte Bracte who's advising.
00:05:05He loves the camera.
00:05:06He does.
00:05:07He's had another restless night walking the streets of Wimbledon.
00:05:15Absolutely over the moon and just saw his son there, he's nearly as tall as him, Logan.
00:05:22But he'll be there helping him out.
00:05:25Travels to a good few of the events to advise him in between games.
00:05:3113-4, I mean there's not many that have clocked up four victories over Mustafa Asal, PJ.
00:05:37There's not many that have clocked up one victory over Mustafa Asal.
00:05:41But Macon took Asal down 3-love the last time they played.
00:05:47Coming into this, 106 minutes compared to 76 minutes.
00:05:51So half an hour more for Joel Macon.
00:05:56And this could be a very interesting encounter.
00:06:01Macon will try to make it physical.
00:06:03You talked earlier about...
00:06:04Time.
00:06:05John Macon and Miles Jenkins, how tactical they are.
00:06:09And it was quite interesting to hear Macon yesterday saying that it was kind of part of the plan to
00:06:15not necessarily get their opponents off the court quickly.
00:06:20Not like it's a rush.
00:06:23I just feel that for making the progression for his career, if he's going to start winning and taking down
00:06:28some of these titles, it is imperative, it is important that he does come through these early rounds as quickly
00:06:34and as efficiently as he possibly can.
00:06:37Possibly a misunderstanding on my part, but I'll wait and see.
00:06:40It's unlike you to have a misunderstanding, but Jason Foster...
00:06:44They will start in 30 seconds.
00:06:46...will be in the hot seat and his VR, Ashley Smith, so we've got two English referees for this Wales
00:06:52v. Egypt encounter.
00:06:55The last of the semi-finals.
00:07:01They will start in 15 seconds.
00:07:07Obtasia Championships, 2026 men's semi-final match.
00:07:13Joel Makin of Wales to serve.
00:07:16Mustafa Asal of Egypt to receive.
00:07:19Best of five games.
00:07:23Lovell.
00:07:29Down.
00:07:31One love.
00:07:32Well, I couldn't even...
00:07:33I couldn't even open up the match there.
00:07:36That happened too quickly, PJ.
00:07:40First point on the board.
00:07:44From an error for Makin.
00:07:53This time last year, Makin flew into a two-love lead.
00:07:58Playing the most aggressive squash I've ever seen in play.
00:08:08See, he's absolutely pumped up to the next.
00:08:10Two very, very strong physiques between these two.
00:08:15The heavyweights.
00:08:16You've got to say, this is the heavyweight division of the PSA Sports Store, PJ.
00:08:19Well, we've got heavy and super heavy.
00:08:23Heavy.
00:08:41This is a much more sprightly looking stuff for a sell.
00:08:45I'll tell you what, it wasn't.
00:08:46We saw him yesterday, but that's the kind of executions...
00:08:50One all.
00:08:51He's got to be accurate for obvious reasons, but I want to see him take the ball on.
00:08:59I want to see him be destructive.
00:09:12It's immaculate.
00:09:14Two, one.
00:09:15Can't do any more than that.
00:09:16No pace on it whatsoever.
00:09:18That's the guy that saw PJ actually go on the front row there.
00:09:37Three, one.
00:09:38Two, one.
00:10:28He wants to go in early and play this Mustapha Roussel.
00:10:37Let's have a look at the movement possibly, it's a loose ball, yeah it's not a great shot
00:10:45is it?
00:10:46It's a stroke, yeah, second bounce is the short line, it's a stroke, yeah.
00:10:56Stroke to Assal, decision over all, Assal has two reviews remaining, 4-1.
00:11:01from the left.
00:11:02Left?
00:11:04Yes.
00:11:05Good job.
00:11:07Go.
00:11:07Stop, stop.
00:11:08Go.
00:11:11Go.
00:11:12Go.
00:11:14Go.
00:11:15Go.
00:11:16Go.
00:11:17Go.
00:11:17Go.
00:11:18Go.
00:11:20Go.
00:11:21Go.
00:11:23Go.
00:11:505-1
00:11:56Solid start from Assal, certainly sent his stall out early on isn't he, sending a bit of a message
00:12:01Yeah there's a couple of errors for making, Assal looking sharp and wanting to build on this early lead at
00:12:095-1
00:12:13He's not going to be caught flat-footed like he was last year
00:12:33And out
00:12:342-5
00:12:46Take your seats please, 2-5
00:13:13I'll tell you what, he's hitting his back home as well
00:13:25Just need a couple of decent 1-2s making just to build his confidence into this
00:13:29Good line and length and then follow up with an attack at the front
00:13:32Yup
00:13:34He's not being given much though is he at the moment
00:13:36No he isn't, the accuracy levels are very good
00:13:37The basic game of Assal at the moment are rock solid
00:13:46What I do like about this is whether it's the right tactic or not from John Makin
00:13:51We are seeing a variation
00:13:54Yesterday in his match it was kind of very one-tempo, one-dimensional
00:13:58funktioniert
00:13:58He's recording
00:14:02It's going to be real
00:14:07Regarde
00:14:08He想 when he goes in his head
00:14:09Don't move like that
00:14:11his head
00:14:12He now
00:14:24He'sÃssial
00:14:25To his
00:14:36well that looked like a double hit
00:14:40with the arms gone up
00:14:43he's just gluing it to the wall
00:14:46player review making on the yes let decision
00:14:48saw the pick up good
00:14:50court service please
00:14:51off the sidewall for me was slightly dubious
00:14:55but making will get a stroke here
00:14:57i feel
00:14:59he's going to get a stroke if he was to swing
00:15:01and straight drive this he'd absolutely
00:15:03imprint the strings on the face
00:15:05the mustafa rasal pj's followed through
00:15:08there he'd absolutely cane him
00:15:13yes let decision up held making has one
00:15:16review remaining well i don't know how pj
00:15:18could be in two places at once he certainly
00:15:20is you're not looking very happy there pj
00:15:22well i just i mean that for me is a stroke
00:15:23all day long that's why my face says it
00:15:25all really and how can you speak and not
00:15:28move your mouth
00:15:29i'm a ventriloquist
00:15:30i'm and i'm staying in two places
00:16:00hmm
00:16:27I don't know.
00:16:30Long rally this, this will certainly be in the script for Makin.
00:16:46And out.
00:16:48It's a slightly over hit on the drive from Joel Makin.
00:16:51Nassau just taking a bit of space, making himself nice and small.
00:17:19Eight points, ten minutes on the clock, so just over a minute for rally.
00:17:26Oh, that one on cue there, it's, yeah, it's quickfire stuff.
00:17:30Quickfire? It's quite lengthy.
00:17:32No, quickfire hitting, I don't mean as in the point per minute.
00:17:38Redeemed yourself there a little bit.
00:17:44They're getting a shift on.
00:17:49Down.
00:17:50Oh, he's like a cat's whisker.
00:17:52I know the error coming from Nassau, but I'll repeat myself again.
00:17:57Makin, a couple of really good lengths, getting on the volley and putting in an outright finish.
00:18:02Actually being able to show that, you know, Nassau can't cover everything on the court all the time.
00:18:08Would be helpful, wouldn't it, for the confidence of Makin.
00:18:10Yeah, you're right.
00:18:10And we discussed this the other day, I think, in the quarterfinal.
00:18:13Then there are these opportunities for Makin to take the ball in short.
00:18:18Everything looks right technically.
00:18:20But there just needs to be more speed from the top of the swing into the shot itself to put
00:18:25the ball into the front that much quicker.
00:18:46That's better, that's an example there of what we're looking for.
00:19:17Very good quality rally, this.
00:19:25That's another over-hit drive, certainly puts him under pressure.
00:19:42Laying those balls in so tight to the side will us out.
00:19:46You hear the clanking of the racket.
00:19:48Again.
00:19:58Change of pace, both players.
00:20:02Using a little bit more height, hitting it a little bit softer.
00:20:22That's for me where he could have taken a volley in, PJ.
00:20:25Yep.
00:20:26There, he waited, there was a loose ball, he could have fired that into the front right.
00:20:283-6.
00:20:29Joel Makin.
00:20:30Court service, please.
00:20:32Yeah, good rally, appreciated by the crowd.
00:20:34Very knowledgeable here in Wimbledon.
00:20:36They are, there's a lot of high-quality squash clubs around this area in Surrey.
00:20:43And it's an army of court cleaners, so it doesn't surprise me.
00:20:46Can we get a towel?
00:20:46Can we get a towel?
00:20:47Ticking around that backhand area, PJ.
00:20:49It'd be locked down.
00:20:50There was on that camera up and down the wall.
00:20:53Yeah.
00:20:53You know, the perspiration coming off, primarily Joel Makin.
00:20:59He's forgotten his towel, so we need to get a towel in there.
00:21:05Can't just rely on his beard.
00:21:06No towels.
00:21:07Court service, haven't got a towel.
00:21:08Have you got a towel over there?
00:21:14Thank you, court service.
00:21:163-6.
00:21:183-6.
00:21:303-6.
00:21:403-6.
00:21:41And now, 7-3.
00:21:441-2.
00:21:481-2.
00:22:35Nice work from Masao, very quickly into that front left hand corner using his speed.
00:22:45He's just untroubled here, it's making it very, very tough, but I've just got an answer for most things, his
00:22:52basic game is looking really accurate and sharp, that's out, that movement, that explosive movement, there's an example, just eating
00:23:00the court up, it just looks like a tiny area, doesn't it, when Masao's on there, he's got a serious
00:23:06presence, yes.
00:23:36So, let's go.
00:23:50He's just being tired of the inaccuracy, isn't he, just a little bit, one poor shot for Raleigh.
00:24:04He still hasn't got a towel yet, so we need to sort that out, there's got to be somebody that,
00:24:08I mean, you just don't want a random towel, but there's got to be a towel somewhere, Joel Macon needs
00:24:12a towel to towel himself down.
00:24:15There's one.
00:24:16There's one.
00:24:18They just, they just peeled that off the broom, PJ, so he's just rubbing his legs through his face.
00:24:25Thank you, court service.
00:24:32That doesn't surprise me, with all the balls that have been glued to the side wall from Masao.
00:24:37Broke the racket.
00:24:38That's what can happen, PJ.
00:24:40That's what I'm saying.
00:24:40Yep.
00:24:43Okay.
00:24:43Okay, yeah.
00:24:46Yeah.
00:24:46Okay.
00:24:47Yeah.
00:24:48All right.
00:24:49Yeah.
00:24:51Yeah.
00:24:53Yeah.
00:24:53Yeah.
00:25:04Yeah.
00:25:22There's been a high-tempo, high-quality first game between these two which are
00:25:26making becoming a real tactician of the game. I wonder how they will try and
00:25:34adapt to the just after this first, especially with the cell very heavily in
00:25:41the driving seat at the moment.
00:26:14It's only because he lost his footing, just lost his footing, he couldn't quite maintain it, so the stroke goes
00:26:21in, five points between them, made the effort to get through, it's actually a better quality shot for making to
00:26:32set up the stroke.
00:26:43The speed in which a cell moves up into the front two corners is very impressive, powerful.
00:26:53Yes, legs.
00:26:554-9.
00:26:564-9.
00:27:035-9.
00:27:075-9.
00:27:216-4.
00:27:37he's done well to get that back making he's under the cosh here again
00:27:41well he's holding it for an age isn't he got him on a piece of string a little bit here
00:27:47again just eating the court up he read that heavy triple post yeah just feel like when he
00:27:51when he's in those pressurized situations at the front making maybe just lift himself out of trouble
00:28:02like that
00:28:13and out 10-4 game ball
00:28:25he does sweat doesn't he as sal because i mean he does yeah well you've interviewed him enough
00:28:31times after to know that uh he's not heavy like uh like joe making a poor cole
00:28:44i will tell you a story about sweating in the second game
00:28:46i don't know if you want to hear it it's a family program
00:29:13well he's throwing absolutely everything at
00:29:16the sale now and the ball is still coming back with interest
00:29:20a bit of a surge there from making
00:29:38it's tight work from making
00:29:52stroke to making
00:29:53he has to work so so hard to get a point on the board though and he will continue to
00:29:59work as hard as possible until he grinds to a complete hole
00:30:02chill making
00:30:07pj you were going to tell a story it's not when that time when you ain't a vindaloo is it
00:30:11no no no that's a good story save that one for another day this is more hydration and sweat related
00:30:18well i was thinking that vindaloo might be sweat related
00:30:33two strokes in a row
00:30:36six ten game ball
00:30:39court service please
00:30:40court service and now you can tell your story pj
00:30:43about sweating it's a family program yeah back in 1998 during my pro career we had a tournament
00:30:52out in higada in egypt and the england team decided to take along our sports science team
00:30:59thank you court service it was damon brown and a couple of his members there we're doing a bit of
00:31:04a test on the effects of hydration in uh in the sport and six ten game ball they put me
00:31:10on to a set of scales before the match and i'm going to be a bit of a bit of
00:31:13a test on the effects of hydration in uh in the sport and six ten game ball
00:31:13after the match played for an hour and fifty three minutes
00:31:17played for an hour and fifty three minutes and after i came off the mat
00:31:25after i came to the court
00:31:26jumped on the scales again
00:31:28and i've lost nine pounds
00:31:30gave to la salle
00:31:31la salle lead
00:31:32one game too long
00:31:33must have looked like a little raisin
00:31:40must have for us out who is i mean 24 minutes but look at the scoreline for it for an
00:31:46eleven six that's a heavy duration long rallies as we'd expect
00:31:50yeah leading one game to love and looking unbreakable at the moment the raging full number one seed
00:31:59i'm actually really surprised at that scoreline because it felt a lot quicker the quality was very high between the
00:32:04two all four corners being utilized and as you said though it's really hard at the moment just to see
00:32:10how
00:32:10john makin will be putting any points on the board he's being starved at the mid-court area anything slightly
00:32:16loose from the welshman is being given the full treatment but he'll be happy with the duration of that first
00:32:22game making
00:32:26just very quickly touching base on that previous point uh losing the nine pounds in fluid uh it was actually
00:32:34calculated that just a three percent drop in hydration
00:32:38so you can still be 97 hydrated a three percent drop can actually cause a 25 loss in performance
00:32:46did you get any brain damage from that match because that would explain a few things
00:32:54well now
00:33:04well he's telling himself down with a t-shirt i mean i can't believe he's not brought a towel with
00:33:10him
00:33:12you know he is like a human sponge
00:33:1915 seconds
00:33:35this is our leads one game to love
00:33:41love all
00:33:47so we're into the second game the south 24 minute first game looking in complete control
00:33:54john makin trying everything the accuracy level's got to be a lot higher though if he's going to make any
00:34:01inroads against the south
00:34:07there's a lot of backtracking now do you feel like it could be
00:34:08yeah i felt that you were in his swing just a little bit
00:34:12level
00:34:20it's pretty loose ball
00:34:22let ball let ball being played
00:34:40so the peel on the pickup rally goes on
00:34:45so
00:34:51so
00:34:52so
00:35:10yes
00:35:11yes
00:35:17okay
00:35:17okay
00:35:18player review
00:35:18making on the yes let decision
00:35:21this is interesting
00:35:22well he said he had his arm
00:35:23call service please
00:35:24why are you stopping
00:35:26we'll see quite clearly in a second on the street
00:35:30Joel making being very specific about having his arm grab
00:35:41what are we doing here
00:35:45what are we doing here
00:36:04yes
00:36:04you need to let
00:36:05you need to let
00:36:05i was in the middle and we shot in the middle
00:36:07so my left arm is just like that
00:36:09but on the replay we saw you leave your left arm there
00:36:11and hold on to him preventing him from getting to the ball
00:36:15if
00:36:16i've
00:36:16i understand what you're saying
00:36:18but if that happens again i will use the code of conduct
00:36:21do you agree with that
00:36:22yes i will
00:36:24one love
00:36:28well the message has been made very clear it's not the first time a cell has been
00:36:32pinged for
00:36:33situations of similar ilk
00:36:36but Joel making literally as soon as the incident took place he went straight to the
00:36:40referee asking them to just check out
00:36:43that particular situation
00:36:44and as a result of that he's actually been awarded a stroke
00:37:16stroke to a cell
00:37:17hand out
00:37:17one all
00:37:18Come on.
00:37:49I'll tell you what, that was a hard hit by both of them.
00:37:52Yeah.
00:38:02Well played.
00:38:03Well played.
00:38:04I think he's just lifting his one out.
00:38:06Yeah, trouble a little bit.
00:38:07Just thinking about where to kind of go with it slightly.
00:38:12I do feel that even from the back of the court, PJ, just to use a bit of height and
00:38:16chop and change a little bit,
00:38:17I feel that he is trying to out-hit Assal and that won't.
00:38:21At times, he's only going one way.
00:38:24And as the ball softens, maybe just take the pace off a little bit and try and chop and change.
00:38:29This is a rhythm Assal likes to play in.
00:38:321-0.
00:38:331-0.
00:38:381-0.
00:38:431-0.
00:38:451-0.
00:38:541-0.
00:38:581-0.
00:39:001-0.
00:39:021-0.
00:39:031-0.
00:39:051-0.
00:39:061-0.
00:39:061-0.
00:39:071-0.
00:39:071-0.
00:39:071-0.
00:39:081-0.
00:39:101-0.
00:39:121-0.
00:39:181-0.
00:39:221-0.
00:39:22use a bit more air time but the missiles keep coming a lot of movement going on
00:39:36now Pete that's good court coverage from the pair of them really
00:39:49yeah he's made the error but it's clever work he did a lot of work in that rally
00:39:53a lot of work which which pickup are you referring to
00:40:00player of USL on a making pickup front left court service please
00:40:09quick look at the lights in this auditorium he's got it
00:40:19he got that one he's appealing that one which is fine that's the one he's appealing he watch
00:40:28it's not this one but he's kind of semi appealing that one but that's fine as well that's way up
00:40:34both are up so I'm not sure he's appealing that one either Joey no it was it was it was
00:40:45we saw two there there was the front and the back
00:40:50so we've not that's not the one that he's referring to it's actually earlier on in the rally
00:40:57unfortunately nothing else is available Mr Sal there's due to technical issues there's nothing
00:41:02else available
00:41:08let's play on I need you to accept the decision point to make it 2-1
00:41:16it's taking a bit of time off that testing rally to get to where we're at which is still the
00:41:22point to make it
00:41:40and now it's a variation there back to 2-1
00:41:50so
00:41:59so
00:42:17he's got that that's absolutely ridiculous coverage from the cell yes
00:42:21that's all that good it's beyond explosive yeah it's a joke best player yes good
00:42:38yes miles up I mean that movement is just an absolute joke it's painful yeah
00:43:17the tempo is absolutely furious
00:43:32unbelievable yeah what can you do with that John Makin's actually playing really well here
00:43:36he's not really getting much for it no no he's not getting much change
00:43:42he's getting frustrated about that area it looks okay
00:43:44it's not okay for my safety it's not okay I want to continue but it's not okay
00:43:48let's play on a couple a couple more rallies three two
00:43:53come on let's go
00:44:14good recovery there from Makin
00:44:19yes left three two
00:44:21on the left
00:44:36on the left
00:44:37on the left
00:44:38on the left
00:44:39on the left
00:44:40on the left
00:44:41on the right
00:44:41on the right
00:44:43on the right
00:44:44on the right
00:44:45on the right
00:44:45on the right
00:44:59good shot out faster and now it's the first real one where you've seen that
00:45:03kind of creative accuracy you know we talked about that the first game that he
00:45:08needed something like this so good signs for making
00:45:17stroke to making 4-3
00:45:54Mustafa Sal is literally going for every time when he shot and he ends up getting
00:46:03a little bit hot-headed on that one but the court service in
00:46:13and that's the area that it's obviously getting the most amount of traffic that's
00:46:16the area that Sal has been kind of pointing to you know I do get it it was
00:46:20making this time that wanted it to be sorted let's continue isn't it
00:46:25unfortunately once once the old poor start opening up it's a bit of a
00:46:29fountain to see the definition in the quads from the south looking very strong
00:46:39seems to be adjusting to the pace quite nicely as well
00:46:49just creeping up on the 40-minute mark for these two is a 24-minute first game
00:46:58so we'll start to get into the realms of
00:47:02physically testing especially the pace that's being played at
00:47:09without a 70-minute sprint
00:47:27so we'll start to get into the
00:47:27this is a very difficult game
00:47:27because the time we can do anything
00:47:27not just
00:47:27yeah
00:47:27yeah
00:47:27yeah
00:47:27yeah
00:47:35Let's go.
00:48:05Oh, this is brutal pressure.
00:48:17It's good lifting here.
00:48:19Makin just trying to give himself a little bit of respite.
00:48:21What a rally.
00:48:23So all the fast and furious and frantic stuff.
00:48:25Five and four.
00:48:26Slow chipped ball down the backhand side that actually does the damage.
00:48:29Makin is desperately just trying to give himself a bit of extra time with the slow balls.
00:48:33And then you see another glued backhand drive with no pace on it.
00:48:38So Asal interchanging when he needs to between the raw power and then the very, very deft touch.
00:48:52Well, that's the effect of the previous rally, really.
00:48:54One, two, three, two, three.
00:49:45Why is he jumping on my back there?
00:49:48No let.
00:49:50Player review Assau on the no let decision.
00:49:52Court service, please.
00:49:55Let's have a look at the replay.
00:49:59He's a little bit more animated than usual here Assau.
00:50:01For him, he doesn't usually see it from the sky view.
00:50:07I mean, if you want to talk about, is this, is Makin offering a clear?
00:50:13I mean, I don't know how that's a no let, Joey, really.
00:50:16Well, it's not a no let.
00:50:17It's definitely not a no let.
00:50:18If you look at Makin's movement off of the ball, does he make an effort to clear?
00:50:22Not really.
00:50:22It's not a no let.
00:50:23I mean, wow.
00:50:25I'd like to know why that's a no let.
00:50:26Assau has no reviews remaining.
00:50:28Wow.
00:50:28I'd like to know why that's a no let.
00:50:30Is it on what ground?
00:50:31Yeah, well, I'd like to know.
00:50:32I mean, can you find out, please?
00:50:35That's good.
00:50:35I'm older.
00:50:36I'm old.
00:51:05Go!
00:51:09Go!
00:51:09Not up.
00:51:11Nice use of the long drop there from Assal.
00:51:14And out, 7-5.
00:51:16We're starting to take a mini lead at 7-5 as we approach the back end of this second game.
00:51:2324 minute first game, stingy on the scoreline, that was 11-6 to Assal.
00:51:29I don't really see many games that length with such a kind of one-sided scoreline in the first, PJ.
00:51:58Yes-elect.
00:51:59No, no, no.
00:51:59I didn't see anything.
00:52:02Player review Makin on the Yes-elect decision.
00:52:05So we're looking at this now, so then you've got the interpretation with the contact.
00:52:09Was his shot affected or prevented?
00:52:14There's definite contact, there's no doubting that.
00:52:16You can see it there on the shoulder.
00:52:20Stroke to Makin, decision overhauled.
00:52:23Makin has one review remaining.
00:52:25Clearly seen on the replay that he hit you with his back swing, preventing the shot that he wanted to
00:52:30play.
00:52:30And out, 6-7.
00:52:33And out, 6-7.
00:52:35And out.
00:52:37And out.
00:53:03It's just the urgency, it's the awareness, how quickly he gets into position for Sal.
00:53:10I mean, he played that, I mean, it was on fast forward, wasn't it?
00:53:13Yeah.
00:53:13He knew fully well he had to take that as early as possible.
00:53:16Yeah.
00:53:16Because making was way over on the right-hand wall.
00:53:20It's the awareness of the open space in the court, isn't it?
00:53:22And how quickly he can get onto it to expose.
00:53:47He's got no reviews.
00:53:49He's got no reviews, right?
00:53:51Certainly to lose those.
00:53:53Al, you used two earlier on, so you have none left.
00:53:56No.
00:53:57I'm letting you know you've lost.
00:53:59Let's play on.
00:54:00You've got no reviews.
00:54:01Stroke to make it.
00:54:027-8.
00:54:06Another stroke for making.
00:54:07He's had quite a few strokes, actually.
00:54:09Yeah, I mean, they have to be consistent with what happened before.
00:54:12That was actually a bit more of an impact on the shoulder.
00:54:32We're up to the 20-minute mark, DJ, for the back end of his second game.
00:54:37Handouts, 9-7.
00:54:39Mustapha Asal takes another two-point lead.
00:54:42Hello?
00:54:46Handouts.
00:54:50He's just taking a little bit of extra time to get himself ready.
00:54:56After a couple of very fast and furious rallies, quality hasn't dropped off.
00:55:28John Macon's going to take it very early here.
00:55:31The boot keeps coming back.
00:55:32He's left.
00:55:32Oh, he's left.
00:55:33Block service, please.
00:55:35Seriously fired up and irritable.
00:55:36He's not usually like that.
00:55:37I've never seen him really throw his racket before.
00:55:39He lost his footing, though.
00:55:42I mean, he's complained on numerous occasions about the court, the slippiness of the court.
00:55:46It's just an unfortunate circumstance.
00:55:47Who's getting booed there.
00:55:48That's a bit weird.
00:55:50But, you know, he wanted to go off.
00:55:51Watch this now.
00:55:52He wants to.
00:55:53I mean, that's, yeah, he's caught sweat and he's irritable with it, which you can understand.
00:55:58Mr. Sal, Mr. Sal, conduct warning for racket abuse.
00:56:07Handouts, eight, nine.
00:56:10Joe Macon being very stubborn as per usual.
00:56:14But he's still within shouting distance.
00:56:17The Welsh Warrior.
00:56:26Of course, it is.
00:56:28It is, yeah.
00:56:29I mean, it's like an ice rink out there now.
00:56:31I mean, there's just imprints of making everywhere.
00:56:33It's going to take a bit of work to get those off.
00:56:37They've got to secure the footing.
00:56:38It's Joel Mackey that he slips in his own sweat.
00:56:44Dive around to get the ball.
00:56:45That tremendous dive and then trying to get back up.
00:56:48And off he goes.
00:56:50Thankfully for Asao, the ball stays above the tin on that forehand drop.
00:56:54But he's got two game balls.
00:56:58And two love lead.
00:57:10And out, ten-eight.
00:57:11Game ball.
00:57:17Part of the match now.
00:57:19Asao on the verge of a possible two love lead in this last semi-final.
00:57:33Asao letting rip to try and get that ball back.
00:57:35But he gets it.
00:57:59Two games to love.
00:58:02And out, he's certainly pumped up.
00:58:04He's a lot more animated than what we usually see.
00:58:10Hard-hitting squash.
00:58:13With pretty lengthy durations.
00:58:15For the two games.
00:58:17So, right on cue.
00:58:1924 minutes.
00:58:21Mirroring the first game.
00:58:2351 minutes of squash.
00:58:24Between the number one seed and the number four seed.
00:58:28And it's Mustafa Asao leading two games to love.
00:58:32Yeah, I mean, again, super high octane stuff between these two.
00:58:36John Makin playing some of the best squash I've seen for quite some time.
00:58:41He's really testing Mustafa Asao here.
00:58:45Asao at times getting a little bit frustrated.
00:58:47But the quality remains absolutely superb.
00:58:50From the world number one.
00:58:51Continuing this run.
00:58:5465 games unbeaten now.
00:58:56Mustafa Asao fired up to the max.
00:58:58Two games to love for the number one seed.
00:59:03Blame will resume in 60 seconds.
00:59:06New initiative being launched.
00:59:09Rally 28 to get behind the Olympics that will be held in LA in July 28.
00:59:14And it's about coordinating the grassroots and all the clubs around the world.
00:59:19It's a fantastic initiative with the World Squash Federation, the PSA and the Squash United Foundation.
00:59:26Scan the QR code to find out more and donate.
00:59:30That money is going to be utilized to build grassroots, repair courts, build courts, and really expose the sport to
00:59:37all the masses around the world.
00:59:39More importantly, getting youngsters playing, which are the future of our sport.
00:59:43So, fantastic times and let's hope that it really does build, TJ.
00:59:48Yeah, let's get the participation levels up.
00:59:50The viewer levels up.
00:59:51LA 28, great opportunity for Squash to try and implement and cement itself as one of the mainstay Olympic sports.
01:00:03Mustapha Roussel certainly being a mainstay at world number one.
01:00:08Still yet to let a game out since October 2025.
01:00:14Leading two games to love here.
01:00:28And he's not letting up in any way, which he shouldn't do.
01:00:32Sending out a bit of a message to increase the golf and he's come out early in this third game.
01:01:05Sending out a bit of a message to increase the golf and he's come out early in this third game.
01:01:15What are going on?
01:01:25Strokes Makin.
01:01:27Not at personas he's got.
01:01:29Most of Joel Makin's points againstash al in this match have been strokes.
01:01:34Sending out a little bit more.
01:01:51Furious tempo.
01:02:09He's hitting his corners, the Egyptian, it's been very good stuff for both players, he obviously
01:02:20feels good physically Joel Makin because he's not dropping off at all, working obviously
01:02:25hard to force this pace.
01:02:32I knew that was from it, I knew it, he was waiting, Joel Makin was
01:02:36slightly hanging over, he delayed it at the last minute and then really did flick the
01:02:42ball through, watch, bang, second bounce into the back corner, clever shot selection, yeah.
01:03:01Thank you, court service, hand out, 2-1.
01:03:28Does that quite a lot, Mustafa Rassel, after a couple of lengthy rallies or a bit of a tailbreak,
01:03:32he wins points quite quickly.
01:03:40Too accurate again, I mean what a way to start this third game.
01:03:46It was 11-6 in the first 24 minutes, a very competitive type, second also 24 minutes but Sal has
01:03:54just been...
01:03:55another stroke.
01:03:56Another stroke, so the two points on the board in the third have been two strokes.
01:04:01There's five strokes in the first two games.
01:04:06Joel Makin.
01:04:07Let's spell on that backhand side really.
01:04:23It's an error.
01:04:24It's a bit of a tired movement there from the south.
01:04:27Three and four.
01:04:29All right.
01:04:30One.
01:04:45Dois.
01:04:50I don't see on that.
01:04:51oppon Senator Kim
01:04:51One.
01:04:51Apen across the...
01:04:52Four.
01:04:52Dois.
01:04:53Two.
01:04:53Four.
01:04:54Dois.
01:04:55Two.
01:04:5610.
01:04:57Nine.
01:04:57Four.
01:05:06it's a lot of strokes
01:05:285-4
01:06:11yes legs, 5-4, from the legs
01:06:375-4, from the legs
01:06:395-4, from the legs
01:06:406-4, from the legs
01:06:416-4, from the legs
01:06:586-4, from the legs
01:07:1860 minutes, we haven't seen Mustapha Salon caught for 60 minutes in one singular match for quite a while
01:07:24oh, and that's a finish, this is going to get, this is getting fascinating
01:07:28because there's only been two outright winners in this match for making
01:07:32one was a backhand volley drop in the second game early on
01:07:35and now that one there, we've been waiting for an outright finish
01:07:39right side, 6-4
01:07:41and I just want to see now
01:07:44about how Asao responds
01:07:46because when you've got a player that hasn't been taken over a certain mark
01:07:49he's been winning so easily
01:07:51not been tested to this point
01:07:53not been tested physically
01:08:00two point lead
01:08:01two point lead
01:08:02for the Golden Tiger
01:08:04certainly a bit more of a skip in his step
01:08:11and out
01:08:145-6
01:08:15right shot to play
01:08:16I am
01:08:16I am
01:08:17no
01:08:17on
01:08:17he is
01:08:18I am
01:08:21an
01:08:25um
01:08:32done
01:08:35or
01:08:56Sixth all.
01:08:58Goal, goal, goal, goal.
01:09:00Call of service, please.
01:09:10Again, as the sweat gathers onto the surface, we've seen a south slip already through his
01:09:16racket and frustration.
01:09:18Got to keep this playing conditions as safe as possible for the players.
01:09:22Yeah, the heavy traffic area when these players are locking it down the backhand wall, they're
01:09:25spending more time there, so that's why they're literally in that quarter of the court.
01:09:31Sixth all.
01:09:31Making sure it's all sorted, so six all, the two-point lead from Makin is gone.
01:09:55That's brilliant for Nassau, slightly over-hit, cross court, forcing him to make it into a slightly awkward return, but
01:10:01then stepping up, pushing that ball deep into the back of the...
01:10:06Yeah.
01:10:06The open space.
01:10:07He knew fully well that Makin was awkward behind him in that corner, so he went on the diagonal
01:10:13so quick.
01:10:16Back to the old eyes in the back of the head.
01:10:24Good response here from Nassau.
01:10:26Yeah.
01:10:27There was no panic from him.
01:10:31Four-six down in the third, there's going to be another stroke.
01:10:34So, two strokes in this last period for Nassau, there's been a load for Makin in the match.
01:10:43And it's gone from a 4-6-4 lead to Makin to an 8-6 lead now for a south.
01:10:48But he just knuckled down, didn't he?
01:10:49You're right, there was no panic, there was no urgency really.
01:10:52Just an awareness.
01:10:53Nice.
01:10:56.
01:10:56That's quick, there will be tenhae advisors who can follow off.
01:10:57seem so comfortable regardless of whatchuckles Minnesota G anticipations?
01:11:00What about mid running run run run run run run mile run run run look long?
01:11:08We're supposed to confident run run run 22 and land run run run run run run run run run is
01:11:08actually
01:11:14beararaan run run run run run run run run run run run run run run run run run run run
01:11:15run run run run run run run run run
01:11:22that's quite quick and look at the recovery log
01:11:27this is brutal yeah i mean it's massive blows isn't it just going in for the upper guts
01:11:47nine that's six put up that extra gear yeah just when needed
01:11:53completely and utterly quashed any type of confidence that making was going to start to
01:11:58build on at six four
01:12:08slightly over stretching he's not going to get any joy here this is a clear cut stroke
01:12:13let's let's take a look
01:12:33having a good look at it but i can't see how that's the stroke stroke to south this is not
01:12:41held
01:12:42making has no reviews remaining 10-6 match ball
01:12:50so
01:12:58so
01:13:21such a high quality exchange down this left hand side of the court it has been all day
01:13:37oh
01:13:37well i knew that was going cross-court
01:13:40so
01:13:43so
01:13:44so
01:13:48so
01:13:55so
01:13:59so
01:14:11so
01:14:13so
01:14:15so
01:14:17so
01:14:17so
01:14:18so
01:14:19so
01:14:19so
01:14:22so
01:14:24so
01:14:26so
01:14:27so
01:14:27so
01:14:28so
01:14:33so
01:14:33so
01:14:34so
01:14:39i don't know how he kept his footing here so there's a huge sweat massive it is yeah see it
01:14:49you see it there it's quite quite evident isn't it yeah it's pretty it's pretty pretty extensive size of a
01:14:57lake
01:14:58so
01:15:00so
01:15:01so
01:15:07so
01:15:09so
01:15:10so
01:15:12so
01:15:15so
01:15:22so
01:15:29so
01:15:31so
01:15:40so
01:15:42so
01:15:42so
01:15:43so
01:15:44so
01:15:45so
01:15:53so
01:15:57so
01:15:57so
01:15:57so
01:15:57so
01:15:59so
01:16:02so
01:16:04so
01:16:10so
01:16:11so
01:16:26so
01:16:32so
01:16:37so
01:16:38so
01:16:39so
01:16:41so
01:16:43there's
01:16:44there's nothing there is there i mean it's just it just a straight hand
01:16:53the
01:16:54well the hands on the arm
01:16:54he's not kept him in there though joey he's not kept him in there he's just for his balance
01:17:01there's nothing in that
01:17:08he's done nothing wrong here
01:17:11he actually relaxes the arm a little bit on that oh my goodness
01:17:15yes
01:17:16jaw making's got a let that time around he got a stroke previously
01:17:20it's never it's never
01:17:21we're not sure of the intent
01:17:23but based on the earlier decision a fair outcome is a yes left
01:17:29really not sure
01:17:31my problem my issue with this is once asal has been pinged for me once he's been pinged for this
01:17:36for me they start to look for it unnecessarily he's done nothing wrong there at all
01:17:40he's taken a wide base a wide stance and his arm is as you do if you're balanced
01:17:45in he's just out stretched
01:17:47he hasn't kept it
01:17:48match full
01:17:54well we're still
01:17:56on there we're still going going
01:17:59we're still going so this time a let ball for joel making but still
01:18:03three match balls
01:18:05for us out
01:18:28i mean this is if you were serving pj yeah it's got to go out the body surely body or
01:18:34i mean it's it's there's going to be a lot of pressure on that
01:18:36pressure on the serve it's a good serve
01:18:43he's got him on that shot
01:18:44and what a hustle here from joel making absolute hustle
01:18:48again still another crucial serve crucial serve
01:18:54still a match full with us out and they're starting to run out slightly
01:18:59and there's the error
01:19:0011-9 match to asal
01:19:03so the error comes but joel making as always fighting to the end which you'd expect just couldn't quite get
01:19:11that one
01:19:12top of the 10
01:19:13a lot of pressure
01:19:15but a bit of a test we haven't seen asal
01:19:17really tested the last time was in the first game against mohammed zacharia in
01:19:23the tournament of champions back in january where they had this monumentally long first game that he did win
01:19:28he hasn't been tested really since then paul cole had a bit of a go at him in chicago in
01:19:33that final
01:19:36that for me is one of the best performances for joel making even though he's beaten him on occasion for
01:19:41me
01:19:42he'll be really pleased with the way he's played there
01:19:44yeah we're going to hear now we're with joel makings down at course side with tom
01:19:50bestafa congratulations you're through to the optasia championships final for a second year running of course
01:19:56look there's no doubt you've been tested there on this glass court tonight
01:20:00can you just tell us what are the biggest challenges you face and what do you have to work through
01:20:05when you're playing joel makin
01:20:07yeah he's absolutely a beast you know he's a he's a character he's uh we really miss him on tour
01:20:13you know i miss his battles
01:20:15something unique and as i said to him at the at the end you know glad to see him back
01:20:20i know he's uh still having match play you know
01:20:23and uh uh recovering from a bad injury but uh such a character and we need him on tour
01:20:30for sure it's tough battles you know i don't want to play him but uh he's he's good uh he's
01:20:34good for squash and uh
01:20:36he's uh till the last point he's still there digging digging digging you know i lost focus a little bit
01:20:42by the
01:20:43by the decision you know at the end it's just like uh you know it's difficult a bit but uh
01:20:48yeah i'm really happy to perform
01:20:50i'm really happy to see him back here it was a amazing few matches you know here entertaining the crowd
01:20:56and uh i'm really happy to
01:20:58play in front of everyone in the front of basem as well you know i got intense today and ian
01:21:03for sure
01:21:03and shout out to my man jerry maddox is here you know it's just amazing to see him here
01:21:07um and amazing to see jimbo you know and all of his family supporting me today yes fine
01:21:12okay yeah well said um you are through to the final to defend your title diego elias it will be
01:21:19uh and that's also
01:21:20now 66 games without losing a game will it be 69 come tomorrow night i'm not sure actually not sure
01:21:26you
01:21:27know uh stats uh gonna come and go but like it's the main focus now about the squash you know
01:21:33as you see
01:21:33today you know just it's easy can lose i'm i'm so actually desperate to win but like just uh either
01:21:39three love three win three two just it's a win at the end of the day you know so uh
01:21:43looking forward for
01:21:44sure to diego you know just to play five five games today against uh um you know top four and
01:21:49go ahead
01:21:49and uh hopefully it's gonna be a good match tomorrow and just one last question one of the most pleasing
01:21:54aspects of your game which you must have enjoyed this evening was you didn't panic in that in that last
01:22:00game there when joel was making in roads and had a two-point lead against you and then towards the
01:22:05end coming back as well were you pleased that you just kept your head down and stay calm yeah please
01:22:09you know like i wasn't happy about the the court a little bit just like for the sweating and everything
01:22:14but you know what the ref can do else you know we're just putting you know like the court service
01:22:17every
01:22:18single rally but just he's uh heavily sweated you know and uh just like i was afraid to get injured
01:22:24you know all of this kind of stuff but yeah he played amazing squash changed his tactics you know
01:22:28like i was having plan abc but um i'm glad that i was having the answers and uh yeah glad
01:22:34to win
01:22:35today all right well congratulations you're through to the final once again at the optasia championships
01:22:40ladies and gentlemen your match winner mustafa asal yeah very physical match some high tempo squash and the
01:22:52duration of a very very respectable length look at that 72 minutes for a three love mustafa asal the
01:23:01defending champion of this event takes out joel making as he did last year in the semi-finals three games
01:23:07to
01:23:07love absolutely brilliant between these two 72 minutes high quality octane squash joel making played superb
01:23:21unfortunately doesn't have anything to show for it but he'll please he'll be pleased to know that he can
01:23:26back himself up and start challenging these top players in the world once again after a little bit of time
01:23:32out
01:23:33asal tested to the max but he's through to another final here three games to love against joel making
01:23:51well joey a bit of a clash of the titans in that last match um three love yet again for
01:23:56mustafa asal but
01:23:57it didn't disappoint 72 minutes for three love no it was good i mean joel was always going to throw
01:24:02absolutely everything at him and hold the line to the bitter end and he was getting closer and closer
01:24:07a lot of strokes given away by mustafa towards joel i mean it was nearly a full game's worth over
01:24:13the over the three but 72 minutes i was just keeping an eye on him to see if how he
01:24:18was going to be
01:24:18physically because i know he's training but he's playing all these tournaments and winning quite
01:24:22convincingly the last real test that he had in a singular game was against muhammad zakharaya i would
01:24:27say and that was back in january at the toc yeah that's true um but i mean who's going to
01:24:32test him
01:24:33potentially diego elias in the final but he had a he didn't look at his best certainly in the semi
01:24:37-final
01:24:38diego's still got some work to do but what was great about diego is that he dug deep to get
01:24:42the
01:24:42result he could have gone out three love against guad today his father got into him and he responded
01:24:48and got better as the match went on i don't know how he will be physically tomorrow after playing such
01:24:53a lengthy affair they did a lot of movement in the match with kareem abdu guad as you'd expect against
01:24:58the
01:24:58baby-faced assassin but it's good to see him in and and this is his first kind of match with
01:25:03mustafa
01:25:03asal since they played in the egyptian open where he actually injured his knee certainly is and what
01:25:09a day of semi-finals we've had let's recap those results quickly started off with hanyar al-hamami
01:25:16threw in straight games against satomi watanabi staving off a challenge from watanabi in that first game
01:25:21diego elias trailing two games to love but managing to squeeze through against kareem guad
01:25:26georgina kennedy great to see her back playing well but unable to get through against norrell
01:25:32shabini 3-1 for the warrior princess and then fantastic last match 72 minutes mustafa
01:25:37sal yet another three love victory what was your what was your favorite match of the of the semi-finals
01:25:43it's definitely going to be the diego kareem abdu guad but just quickly gina kennedy taking
01:25:47that game against norrell shabini that will be really good for her confidence because she's been
01:25:52remolding her game and trying to build towards moving up the rankings again so fantastic for
01:25:56gina kennedy she'd be disappointed she lost but to get a game the way that norrell shabini is playing
01:26:01at the moment is important for her development but of course the baby-faced assassin who was looking
01:26:05sprightly and really up for it diego responding well and we need diego back playing the way he was
01:26:11before he got the injury is crucial for the men's game you know that it is an aging tour at
01:26:15the top end
01:26:16and diego is the one that can really try and get into mustafa but mustafa is starting to go up
01:26:21an extra
01:26:22level or two now compared to his opponents well that sets up our two finals for tomorrow and two
01:26:29incredible finals to look forward to uh the number one spot is up for grabs in the women's game hanyar
01:26:35el hamami taking on norrell shabini and then that's followed by mustafa sal and diego elias i mean it's
01:26:41a gold level event joey but that's two finals worthy of a world championship it is it is and that's
01:26:46you know
01:26:46this this event has always been so well attended by all the top players they love coming here it's
01:26:51got that kind of club feel there's a very knowledgeable crowd this is a great hub for squash around the
01:26:56surrey area but i mean going back to the women's norrell shabini's first mat first tournament here
01:27:01in in optasia she's in the final and you've got the battle for the world number one so i mean
01:27:06that's
01:27:06got so much on it between two uh very good friends but but rivals as well i mean they'll set
01:27:11the scene for
01:27:12a quality day of finals and then let's just hope diego can salvage something but mustafa will be
01:27:18ruthless he'll be really going for him at that kind of high tempo blistering squash that we saw
01:27:22against joel tonight well we've been talking all season about diego elias being the one that can
01:27:27challenge mustafa sal and uh fascinating as you said that it's the first time they've met since that
01:27:32quite contentious final at the egyptian open yeah he gets it you know diego can hold his own physically
01:27:37he's a big lad like joel making so he can hold himself around the middle and when he hits his
01:27:41corners
01:27:41he can put mustafa in a lot of trouble he's going to have to be mega mega accurate tomorrow and
01:27:46box
01:27:46clever against because we know that mustafa is going to come out really really explosive and
01:27:51eating up that court with the movement but also the accuracy that we've seen
01:27:54well a fantastic fantastic day to look forward to tomorrow make sure you put your clocks forward
01:27:59by one hour if you're viewing from the uk we'll be back tomorrow see you then bye for now
01:28:16so
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