Injury is no laughing matter for Jester

World number one Mark Selby has withdrawn from the China Open with a neck injury, sending Ding Junhui through to the last eight.

The 'Jester from Leicester' had been due to play Ding in the last 16 but is returning from Beijing to England for treatment.

"I struggled through my first-round match and I don't want to do any more damage, especially with the World Championship coming up," he said.

Ronnie O'Sullivan crushed Mark Williams 5-1 in their second-round match as he continues to delight his fans in China. Williams, who has not beaten O'Sullivan for 10 years, missed an opportunity to level the tie at 2-2 and went on to lose 5-1. The Rocket, who now leads their head-to-head meetings 23-7, will meet the Welshman again in the second round of the World Championship if both players win their first-round matches.

Defending champion Judd Trump beat Stuart Bingham 5-3, taking three frames on the trot to book his place in the quarter-finals. He will face Stephen Lee after the Trowbridge potter continued his good run of form with a 5-3 victory against Scotland's Graeme Dott.

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Allen - No excuses for another early exit

Mark Allen admitted he was well below par as he suffered a shock early exit against Ricky Walden in the first round of the China Open.

The Northern Irishman was convincingly beaten 5-2 by English prospect Walden in Beijing and afterwards he admitted his opponent deserved to progress.

"That didn't go as planned," Allen said on twitter after going out early in the Far East. "Poor performance and some costly errors at wrong time."

He also praised Walden's impressive display and wished him luck for the rest of the competition.

"All credit to Ricky. He played solid. Good luck to him," he added.

The defeat, which comes on the back of Allen winning the World Open title, is the second time in a row that he has lost in the first round in China, following his early exit to Marcus Campbell 12 months ago. World champion John Higgins, meanwhile, made it through to the last-16 without any issues with a 5-1 win over Rory McLeod and he will now face Peter Ebdon or Matthew Stevens in the next round.  Mark Williams and Stuart Bingham are also safely through with Williams set to face Ronnie O'Sullivan in the next round, providing the three-time world champion beats Scotsman Campbell later on Wednesday.

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Selby into last 16 in China

Fairytale run ends in crushing defeat for Hang

Last year's beaten finalist Mark Selby eased into the last 16 of the China Open with a 5-0 whitewash of local hopeful Li Hang in Beijing on Tuesday.

Li had ousted former world champions Ken Doherty and Graeme Dott in reaching the second round last year but third seed Selby quickly ensured there would be no repeat. The Leicester cueman, beaten by Judd Trump in last year's decider, raced into a 4-0 lead following a clearance of 139 before clinching the most routine of first-round successes. Former champion Stephen Maguire was similarly untroubled as he cast aside Barry Hawkins 5-1.

 Rory McLeod set up a first-round meeting with world champion John Higgins after he breezed to a 5-0 win over Zhou Yuelong as the final two qualifiers were played on Tuesday. Jin Long was the last to clinch his place in the main draw with a 5-4 victory over Fergal O'Brien. Jin had trailed 53-0 in the deciding frame but battled back to book a meeting with three-time winner Mark Williams on Wednesday. 

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White through in China

Robertson and Hendry taken all the way in openers

 

Jimmy White beat Omar Alkojah 5-3 in the wildcard round to book a first round date with Judd Trump at the China Open in Beijing.

'The Whirlwind' is currently ranked 48th in the world but will rise significantly if he can get past the in-form Bristolian later in the week. Another experienced campaigner, Mark King, also progressed through his wildcard match in beating Zhu Yinghui by the same scoreline. Graeme Dott awaits. Nottingham's Michael Holt was unable to make the cut, though, losing 5-3 to Li Hang - the local favourite rewarded with a tie against world number one Mark Selby.

In the morning's first-round match, Neil Robertson edged a tight affair with Jamie Cope 5-4 to move through to the last 16. In this afternoon's wildcard matches, Peter Ebdon beat Lu Haotian 5-2 to set up a first-round meeting with Matthew Stevens. Ben Woollaston's reward for a 5-1 victory over Chen Feilong is a first-round contest against China's Ding Junhui.

Lu Ning negotiated a tricky qualifier against Jamie Jones, prevailing 5-3. He will next take on 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy. Two first round matches also took place on Monday. Australian former world champion Neil Robertson edged a tight affair with Jamie Cope 5-4 to move through to the last 16, where he will take on Stephen Hendry. The seven-time world champion was also taken all the way by Martin Gould, eventually coming through a 5-4 winner. - http://www1.skysports.com

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White eyes Crucible return

 Former finalist vows he'll be back at World Championship

 

Jimmy White will embark on what he hopes will be a lengthy run at the China Open this week, vowing to return to the Crucible later in the year.

White is famously a six-time beaten World Championship finalist but hasn't managed to qualify for the Crucible stages of the event in the last five years.

'The Whirlwind' will return to the Sheffield venue next month to face long-term foe Stephen Hendry in a Snooker Legends event on April 13.

But he is determined to be back there less than a fortnight later when the Betfred.com World Championship begins in earnest.

White must beat Syrian Omar Alkojah in the wild-card round in Beijing to book a first-round clash with Judd Trump, but he's confident that at 49 - he's 50 on day two of the World Championship - he's in his best form for years. - http://www1.skysports.com

 

 

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Trump awaits White

 Mouth-watering clash on the cards in China

 

Judd Trump and Jimmy White could be set for a first-round meeting at the China Open.

Trump will meet White, formerly the people's champion, if the veteran can overcome Omar Alkojah in a qualifier.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has been paired with Marcus Campbell, although the three-time world champion's participation could be in doubt due to his ongoing struggles with glandular fever.

O'Sullivan, who has often threatened to quit the sport for a number of reasons, withdrew from the final of the Players Tour Championship as a result of the illness.

PTC winner Stephen Lee faces Tom Ford, while other notable ties see Mark Selby against the winner of Michael Holt and Li Hang, and Martin Gould against Stephen Hendry. - http://www1.skysports.com

  

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Ford leads way

Tom Ford set a blistering pace on the opening day of Championship League Group Seven action, winning his four matches at Crondon Park.

 

The Leicester cueman - a late replacement for Marco Fu in Essex - saw off the challenges of Ryan Day, Ding Junhui, Marcus Campbell and Dominic Dale to put himself in pole position.


Campbell lies in second place after the opening day alongside Day and Dale, all three having posted two wins each.

Each Championship League group contains seven players who face each other on a round-robin basis. The top four advance to that group's semi-finals, with the two winners meeting in the final.

The winner of that match goes into the final group on March 21-22, when a place in the Premier League is at stake. - http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/

 

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Lee ends title drought

Australian Robertson loses perfect record in televised finals

 

Stephen Lee won his first ranking event for six years by beating Neil Robertson 4-0 in the final of the Betfair Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Galway.

The 37-year-old from Trowbridge outplayed Masters champion Robertson at the Bailey Allen Hall to win the trophy and £70,000 top prize - the fifth ranking title of his career and first since the 2006 Welsh Open.

Lee dropped out of the world's top 16 in 2008 and appeared to be in freefall down the rankings. But he has found a second wind in his career and is now pushing for a place among the top eight.

Australia's Robertson saw his perfect record in televised finals broken as he lost for the first time in 10 attempts. The 30-year-old Cambridge-based potter had to settle for the runner-up prize of £35,000. - http://www1.skysports.com

 

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Robertson secures semi berth

Masters champion will now face Maguire

 

Neil Robertson progressed serenely to the semi-finals of the Betfair PTC Grand Finals in Galway after securing a 4-1 victory over Joe Perry.

Australian Robertson won the Masters two months ago and is closing in on the £70,000 top prize at the Bailey Allen Hall, with Stephen Maguire awaiting him in the last four.

A run of 131 that equalled Ricky Walden's highest break of the tournament gave Robertson the first frame of the contest.

Perry then levelled at 1-1 with a break of 100 which was helped by a fluke on the penultimate red.

Robertson claimed a scrappy third frame before a long pot on the last red proved crucial in helping him take the fourth before he sealed the win in the next with a run of 52.

"I felt fantastic tonight and if I hadn't missed three easy balls I could have had more centuries," Robertson told worldsnooker.com.

"I wasn't sure how I would feel because Joe and I are such good friends. He had chances in the third and fourth frames and if he had taken them it would have been different.

"My attitude to the PTCs this season was a lot better, I embraced them and played in as many events as I could. It's good prize money here and now I'm getting the rewards." - http://www1.skysports.com/

 

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Higgins humbled in Galway

World No.1 falls at first hurdle to Welshman Jones

 

Unheralded Jamie Jones claimed the biggest win of his career to eliminate John Higgins from the Betfair PTC Grand Finals. 

The 24-year-old Neath potter was 3-1 down to Higgins in Galway but turned the match around to triumph 4-3 and send the reigning world champion home after just one match.

Higgins took a tight opening frame and added breaks of 123 and 67 as he moved to just one frame away from victory, but Jones dug deep to draw level.

He then took full advantage of a poor safety from Higgins early in the deciding frame, when the Scot left him an easy red, and stayed composed to build a match-clinching break.

 

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Davis Cruises Past Ford

Mark Davis insisted that his failure to break into snooker's top 16 has not played on his mind after beating Tom Ford 4-1 at the Betfair Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Galway. 

The Sussex pro set up a last 16 match with Stephen Maguire by firing in breaks of 64, 84, 51 and 72 in a fine performance against Ford.  Davis has been on the fringes of the top 16 all season but has just missed out on a place among the elite for the first time in his career.

"It hasn't bothered me as much as people would think," said the 39-year-old. "Don't get me wrong, I would love to be in the top 16, but it's not as big as it used to be because of the way the rankings work now.  "I was one frame away from making it at one of the PTC events but lost 4-3 to Anthony Hamilton. I felt a bit more pressure in the last frame, but not bundles. I would have knocked Ronnie O'Sullivan out but I certainly wouldn't have been chirping about that because when you compare our careers, he should be the one in the top 16!

"It has been frustrating because it is a big milestone and once you get in the top 16, who knows what can happen. I'm further away from it now but it's not playing on my mind and I'm just trying to win matches. "I was really pleased by the way I played today, I scored well and didn't miss much. I've been working with Terry Griffiths and he has got me looking at things differently. If you are potting balls, it doesn't matter who is sitting in the other chair. "I like this venue and it's a knowledgeable crowd. I always enjoy playing in Ireland because the players are so friendly." - http://www.worldsnooker.com

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Pressure now off in-form Lee

World Open finalist Stephen Lee has said he is enjoying his snooker now the pressure is off as he prepares for the Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Galway.

 

Lee, who has not won a tournament since the Welsh Open in 2006, has made sure of his top-16 place on the tour by reaching the semi-finals of the German Masters, Welsh Open quarter-finals and final on Hainan Island in China.

"I'm playing with a lot of confidence at the moment and I've taken pressure off myself by making sure of my top-16 place [although] I was disappointed to lose 10-1 in the final to Mark Allen in China," he said.

"I didn't sleep well before the match and I just couldn't get to grips with him.

"But when I look back to a couple of years ago when I was falling down the rankings, struggling with my game and felt like I had the world on my shoulders, I feel so much better now and I'm really enjoying the game."

Lee, 37, praised the Irish snooker fans ahead of the PTC Finals from March 14-18 at Bailey Allen Hall.

"I'm really looking forward to it because the fans in Ireland are second to none and they know what the game is all about," said the world No.11. "I remember playing in the old Irish Masters which was like nothing else.

"It's a great line-up of players in Galway next week and the best-of-four-frame format gives really fast flowing action."

World champion John Higgins, crowd favourites Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump, world No.1 Mark Selby and Irishman Fergal O'Brien are among the 24 players chasing the £70,000 first prize in Galway.

Lee faces Martin Gould in his opening match on Wednesday. - http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

 

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STEPHEN LEE RELISHING IRISH TRIP

In-form Stephen Lee has described Irish snooker fans as "second to none" as he looked forward to the Players Tour Championship Grand Finals in Galway next week.

The last three ranking events have seen Lee playing his best snooker in recent years, having reached the semi-finals of the German Masters, quarter-finals of the Welsh Open and final of last week's Haikou World Open.

And now he hopes to continue his form at the PTC Grand Finals at the Bailey Allen Hall in Galway, where he meets Martin Gould on Wednesday in his opening match.

"I'm really looking forward to it because the fans in Ireland are second to none and they know what the game is all about," said the World No 11 from Trowbridge. "I remember playing in the old Irish Masters which was like nothing else.
"It's a great line-up of players in Galway next week and the best-of-four frame format gives really fast flowing action.
"I'm playing with a lot of confidence at the moment and I've taken pressure off myself by making sure of my top 16 place. I was disappointed to lose 10-1 in the final to Mark Allen in China, I didn't sleep well before the match and I just couldn't get to grips with him.



"But when I look back to a couple of years ago when I was falling down the rankings, struggling with my game and felt like I had the world on my shoulders, I feel so much better now and I'm really enjoying the game."
World Champion John Higgins, crowd favourites Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump, World No 1 Mark Selby and Irishman Fergal O'Brien are among the 24 players chasing the £70,000 first prize in Galway. - http://www.sportinglife.com/

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Lee - Irish Fans Are The Best

In-form Stephen Lee described the Irish snooker fans as "second to none" as he looked forward to the Players Tour Championship Grand Finals. 

The last three ranking events have seen Lee playing his best snooker in recent years, having reached the semi-finals of the German Masters, quarter-finals of the Welsh Open and final of last week's Haikou World Open. And now he hopes to continue his form at the PTC Grand Finals at the Bailey Allen Hall in Galway in the event which runs from March 14 to 18.

"I'm really looking forward to it because the fans in Ireland are second to none and they know what the game is all about," said the World No 11 from Trowbridge. "I remember playing in the old Irish Masters which was like nothing else. "It's a great line-up of players in Galway next week and the best-of-four frame format gives really fast flowing action.

"I'm playing with a lot of confidence at the moment and I've taken pressure off myself by making sure of my top 16 place. I was disappointed to lose 10-1 in the final to Mark Allen in China, I didn't sleep well before the match and I just couldn't get to grips with him.

"But when I look back to a couple of years ago when I was falling down the rankings, struggling with my game and felt like I had the world on my shoulders, I feel so much better now and I'm really enjoying the game." World Champion John Higgins, crowd favourites Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump, World No 1 Mark Selby and Irishman Fergal O'Brien are among the 24 players chasing the £70,000 first prize in Galway. Lee plays his opening match against Martin Gould on Wednesday. - http://www.worldsnooker.com

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Taylor-Made For PHF Kids

Former World Champion Dennis Taylor thrilled young fans at Paul Hunter Foundation road shows in Preston and Lancaster.

 

Commissioned as part of Lancashire County Council's Young Peoples Services targeted youth support programme, both events featured an appearance from 1985 Crucible king Taylor, who chatted to budding young players and gave them some tips on the table.

There were snooker matches with televisions, ipods and games on offer as prizes, and everyone received a cue and case thanks to current World Champion John Higgins. The Preston event was attended by County Councillor Mark Perks.

On behalf of the Foundation, Chris Lovell said: "It was a remarkable day with 45 kids coming to Preston and 90 to Lancaster, of which 25 were girls. It was a really special day for snooker and for the memory of Paul. We now focus our attention on Paul Hunter Day, which is on the middle Sunday (April 29) of the Betfred.com World Championship in CueZone in the Winter Gardens near the Crucible. I would like to thank all the team for their hard work and all the people at YPS and the venues for the support." - http://www.worldsnooker.com/

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Davis follows Dad Steve

Davis junior gets snooker career under way

Steve Davis' son Greg is hoping to follow in his father's footsteps.

The 20-year-old is to compete in Q School in Sheffield, just a few miles from the Crucible, where Steve won the World Championship trophy six times during the 1980s.

Greg has inherited the snooker gift - his top break in a match is 114 - and now hopes to put that to good use.

"I recently left university and I was speaking to my dad about my future, and we agreed I should give snooker a real go," said Greg. "I've treated it like a hobby in the past but now I will take it more seriously."

Q School is an opportunity to qualify for the professional circuit, with the 12 players who come through to be given a two-year tour card.

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Allen makes his Mark in China

First ranking title for easy winner

 

Mark Allen claimed his first ever ranking title by hammering Stephen Lee 10-1 to claim the Star Xing Pai Haikou World Open. 

Runner-up at last year's UK Championship, Allen has finally gone one better and picks up a first prize of £75,000 to boot. The 26 year-old from Antrim carried a huge 8-1 lead into the evening session and two frames were all that were required for Allen to seal a magnificent victory. He took a scrappy tenth frame before a marvellous clearance of 104 saw him cruise past the finishing post in quick time, wrapping up the the most one-sided ranking event final since Stephen Maguire beat David Gray 10-1 at the 2004 UK Championship.
The damage had already been done in the afternoon as Allen weighed in with breaks of 104, 50, 127, 53, 55 and 123 to put the match well under his control. Lee had no real answer, as he looked out of sorts in sharp contrast to some of his blistering performances throughout the week. - http://www1.skysports.com/
 

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Allen to meet Lee in final

Selby loses 6-5 to Northern Irishman from 5-2 ahead

Mark Allen edged out Mark Selby 6-5 to set up a final showdown with Stephen Lee, a 6-2 winner over Robert Milkins, at the Star Xing Pai Haikou World Open. Northern Ireland's Allen mounted an outstanding comeback to defeat Selby 6-5 and stay on course for the first ranking tournament victory of his career.

Trailing 5-2 in the best-of-11 match, Allen, the 26-year-old from Antrim, fired home four racks back to back to clinch a thrilling victory in front of an appreciative crowd at Haikou Stadium.  "It's very, very good to get through as any win against Mark Selby is a good win but to come from 5-2 behind is even better and the way I played in the last four frames would be worthy of winning any match," said Allen.

World number one Selby had looked in command, leading 3-1 and then 5-2, compiling a couple of centuries in the process. A break of 80, though, kept the Ulsterman in the match and he followed that up with a 79 and a 71 to level it up at 5-5. Allen then clinched victory with a fast flowing break of 112 which was the highlight of a top quality match. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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Higgins powers to victory

Apologetic Mark Allen gains revenge over Judd Trump

John Higgins needed just one hour and 13 minutes to move into the quarter-finals of the Star Xing Pai Haikou World Open as he hammered Stoke's Jamie Cope 5-0.

Higgins finished the match off with a break of 133, the third highest of the event so far, and also had runs of 50, 73 and 83 en route to victory.

Reigning world champion Higgins, who has slumped to No 6 in the world rankings, is looking to find some form in the two ranking events in China before the season's climax at the Crucible.

"That's probably the best I've played this season," said Higgins. "The first frame was very important. Jamie could have won it and then it would have been a different match. But I won it and that got my confidence up and played well after that. "There are lots of very good players left; Mark Allen beat Judd Trump today, Mark Selby, the world No 1, Shaun Murphy ... so many great players so I'll have to play my best to have any chance." - http://www1.skysports.com

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