16-Jan : Makin beats Elias to win Cambridge Cup
The finale to the 2025 SmartCentres Canada Cup, the premier pro men’s singles event in Canada, produced a new, first-time Champion in Welshman Joel Makin.
The evening started off with the 3/4 playoff. Playoffs always have the potential to be fun exhibitions, though in this case, both Declan James & Nicky Mueller were going toe-to-toe, neither willing to relent, and produced an exhilarating, high quality attack & defense battle. Nicky Mueller, Swiss No.1, was attacking the front corners from everywhere on the court, while Declan James was playing his usual high quality mid-paced length and backhand dropshot game. Attack and counterattack, cut & thrust, incredible retrieving from James especially, and while Nicky Mueller looked to be the dominant player early in the match, James’s patience, line & length, & incredible lunges & reach were enough to come through in the clutch. James 3-1 (59min)
Diego Elias is a favourite in Toronto due to his close personal relationship with title sponsor Mitch Goldhar, Canada’s former World Champion, Jonathan Power, and the Cambridge Club, where he trains periodically as a lifetime member. However, the tenacity and physicality of his opponent, World No.6 Joel Makin, won much of the crowd over. The game was intense & fast-paced, Elias using a little more courtcraft than his Welsh opponent, rarely exposing himself to pressure due to his accuracy and movement. However, the consistent & insistent Makin kept up the pace to limit the creativity of the Peruvian.
Elias had game points in the 4th game to push the match to a deciding game with some insanely well executed winners from the volley, though Makin also decided it was time to attack, matching Elias with devastating winners, eventually carving in an unreturnable forehand dropshot to clinch the title, and gain the respect and admiration of the crowd.
Huge congratulations go to Makin for his victory over the current World Champion, huge thanks to all the sponsors that contributed to making this possible, and to the organizational team of Shahier Razik, Rob Baird, Tyler Hamilton, & Martin Heath for their hard work in executing a great event for the Club and for squash in Toronto.
Last but not least, thank you to all patrons & spectators for supporting the event.
15-Jan Semi-Finals : Will Harris reports from Toronto
The first match between Diego Elias and Nicolas Muller showcased some exhibition rallies with exceptional shot making from both players. The first game was 11-4 in favour of the Peruvian as Elias refused to make unforced errors and moved around the court effortlessly.
Although Muller shot in some outrageous attacks, everything was picked up with interest. The second game had a similar theme with Elias winning 11-5, some nick boasts and inch perfect kills gave Muller a solid run of points but it wasn’t enough to break down the movement of the Puma.
The third game is where the match really took off with every rally using all four corners of the court. Just as it looked like the match was over, Muller fought hard to force a tie break. With match balls for both players, Elias managed to squeeze the win and take the third game 13-11.
The second match between Joel Makin and Declan James was a nail biter from start to finish. One mega rally after another was on display as both players entertained the crowd with aggressive attacks and outrageous pick ups.
The first game went to Makin 11-9, James was battling with persistence until a couple errors at the end. The second game maintained the same quality with some rallies exceeding two minutes.
Makin was able to steal the second 11-8 but only by playing his best squash. The third game was filled with close referee decisions and some desperation retrievals. Without giving an inch, both players fought until the end with Makin taking the third game 11-9.
Semi-Finals :
Diego Elias 3-0 Nicolas Mueller 11-4, 11-5, 13-11
Joel Makin 3-0 Declan James 11-9, 11-8, 11-9
14-Jan, Quarter Finals :
Cambridge Club
Declan James 3-1 Miguel Rodriguez 9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 12-10 (75m)
The opening match was as entertaining as it can get . Miguel took a close first game, but Declan responded strongly to take a 2-1 lead.
The 4th was anyone’s game. The crowd was hoping for a 5th but Declan closed it 12-10 in the 4th!
Joel Makin 3-0 Raphael Kandra 11-7, 11-2, 11-4 (38m)
Kandra came out firing but there was not much he could do against Makin’s solid form at the moment.
The unforced errors of Kandra’s and Makin’s accuracy was the story of this match. As a result, a one sided match in favour of the Golden Tiger!.
10XTO
Diego Elias 3-0 Salah Eltorgman 11-3, 11-8, 11-9 (33m)
A sold out crowd came out to watch the local favorite take on the world champ. A slow start for Salah saw Diego take the first game in just 8 min.
However, Salah picked up the pace and challenged the champ in the 2nd only to lose in 11-8. The fans got behind the Canadian in the 3rd. Tied at 9-9 the champ kicked into an extra gear to close it in 3 straight in 33min.
Nicolas Mueller 3-1 Baptiste Masotti 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6 (53m)
Game one was an array of attacks by both players. Mueller’s straight drops, however, earned him game one. Baptiste, fired away as he usually does in the second and broke down the Swiss. The third game witnessed high pace and many exchanges in the front court, a few too many errors by Masotti to give Mueller the game 11-9.
Mueller pulled away early in the fourth while the Frenchman struggled to recover from the third game it seems. Muller through to semis in 53min