Maguire books final spot

Scot will face revitalised Ebdon in Sunday's final

Stephen Maguire is through to the final of the China Open after streaking clear of in-form Stephen Lee to triumph 6-2 in their Beijing semi-final.

Maguire won four frames in a row to seal the win after his opponent had battled back from 2-0 down to level the scores. But the Scot, who edged past Ronnie O'Sullivan in the last eight on a respotted black in the final frame, had six breaks over 50 as he set up a meeting against former world champion Peter Ebdon. Maguire won this tournament in 2008 and started strongly here, taking the first frame with a 76 break and then edging a scrappy second as he punished Lee for not taking his chances.

Lee beat reigning champion Judd Trump in the last eight and the 37-year-old battled back to level after four frames. He won the third frame on the back of a 67 and then drew level, breaks of 47 and 39 enough to get over the line. But he simply had no answer to Maguire after the mid-session interval as the 31-year-old raced away with the match. The Scot knocked in a 51 and a 53 to restore his lead and improved from there. He rattled in breaks of 66 and 71 to take the match away from Lee before saving the best till last, a run of 91 handing him victory in emphatic fashion.

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World number one Mark Selby has withdrawn from the China Open with a neck injury, sending Ding Junhui through to the last eight.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

'Jester from Leicester' to face Ding in Welsh Open final

Mark Selby wore down Ronnie O'Sullivan in a gruelling encounter to reach the final of the 888 Welsh Open in Newport.

The Leicester potter won 6-2 and will play Ding Junhui, a victor by the same margin over Shaun Murphy earlier in the day, in Sunday's best-of-17-frames final. O'Sullivan was the man in form heading into tonight's semi-final, fresh from winning the German Masters, his first major ranking title since September 2009, and from knocking out Judd Trump in the Newport quarter-finals yesterday. Selby, though, has done enough over the past two years to be ranked the world number one. Although O'Sullivan started as favourite, it was easy to make the case for his opponent who delivered a safety-first performance - the clever way to play against O'Sullivan - to advance to the meeting with Ding. After a scratchy start from both players, Selby did enough to take the opening frame. O'Sullivan did not make a pot, but it had still been slow going and it came as some relief when a fluent 80 from the three-time former world champion made it 1-1. - http://www1.skysports.com/

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Selby makes strong start

Mark Selby enjoyed an unbeaten day in Championship League Group 4 event at Crondon Park.

The Leicester potter beat Matthew Stevens 3-2 before whitewashing Peter Ebdon and Mark Davis.
The top four in the seven-man group reach Thursday’s semi-finals with the winner reaching March’s Winners Group where a place in the Premier League is on offer.
Davis is also well placed for a last four berth after winning his other three games while Stevens faces elimination as one of the worst two players after losing all three matches.

Results:
Mark Selby 3 - 2 Matthew Stevens
Mark Davis 3 - 1 Jamie Cope
Mark Allen 3 - 1 Stephen Lee
Mark Selby 3 - 0 Peter Ebdon
Mark Davis 3 - 2 Matthew Stevens
Jamie Cope 3 - 2 Mark Allen
Peter Ebdon 3 - 2 Stephen Lee
Mark Selby 3 - 0 Mark Davis
Jamie Cope 3 - 2 Matthew Stevens
Peter Ebdon 3 - 0 Mark Allen
Mark Davis 3 - 1 Peter Ebdon
Stephen Lee 3 - 2 Jamie Cope- http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

 

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12BET Snooker News 1/12

 

Selby records three wins

Mark Selby is on course to reach the play-off stages of Championship League Snooker after recording three Group Two wins at Crondon Park Golf Club.  

World number one Selby made breaks of 68 and 70 on his way to beating Shaun Murphy 3-1 before downing Mark Davis 3-1. He rounded off a worthwhile day with a 3-2 win over Matthew Stevens that included a closing break of 77.

Stuart Bingham, Mark Davis and Shaun Murphy all enjoyed two wins from their three matches, but 2011 champion Matthew Stevens is heading for the exit door after four straight losses.

Each group features seven players with each man playing the other six once in a round-robin basis. Every match is the best of five and the winner gaining a point. At the end of the league phase the top four advances to that group's semi-finals where the two winners meet in the final.

Players are awarded £100 per frame in the round robin stages, and this increases to £300 per frame for the play-offs. In addition, £3,000 goes to the play-off winner, £2,000 to the runner up and £1,000 each to the two semi-finalists.

 

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