Joel Makin: Welshman targets World top five after ‘massive’ win

Joel Makin has won the biggest title of his career with victory at the 2024 Silicon Valley Open.

World number eight Makin beat Egyptian Youssef Soliman 12-10, 12-10, 8-11, 11-3 in the final in San Francisco.

The 29-year-old Welshman – who won his second British title earlier this year – says he is now targetting a place in the top five of the world rankings.

The game he lost in his 80 minute final against 11th-ranked Soliman was the only one he dropped on his way to success in the $122,000 (£94,000) Gold level event.

“It’s massive, I’ve obviously lost in the final of a couple of Gold events, so it’s nice to get one done,” said Makin.

“It’s a nice achievement and a nice milestone. I’ve obviously just gone to eight in the world last week, so hopefully this win will help me go towards seven or six in the world over the next couple of months.

“I think there’s a group of us competing between that five and ten spots. I think the top four have consolidated themselves in terms of points and wins, but I’m going to look to try get to five and then challenge from there. “