Friday, 2 January 2009

Davis and Hendry through in Grand Prix

Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis both made the second round of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Glasgow after surviving final frame deciders.

Hendry began well against England's Dave Gilbert with breaks of 69 and 70 to grab a 2-0 lead, but it was level at the interval after a 123 Gilbert break.

A 98 from the Scot and a break of 88 from Gilbert took it to the ninth, with Hendry just edging it to win 5-4.

Davis, three-times Grand Prix winner, overcame Australia's Neil Robertson.

The Englishman needed just over four hours to progress, with neither player in top form at the start.

Robertson's 75 was the only break over 50 before the players finished 2-2 at the interval level.

Davis showed nerves of steel in the fifth to clear the colours and win the frame after a re-spotted black.

They traded frames before Robertson forced it to a final frame decider with a break of 80 in the eighth.

Davis claimed a nervy last frame to make the random draw that takes place on Tuesday.

"That's a big scalp for me", Davis said. "I was like granite out there, I had to be because neither of us played great.

"It was a tough one. I found the table to be very quick, I found it hard to control the cue ball.

"It was like skating on ice. Neil wasn't at his best, but I had to keep it tight. It's a very good win for me."

Hendry was also delighted to come through a desperately close encounter.

"I'm very relieved to get my first win of the season," he said. "I've had a slow start to the season and, when you're not getting the wins, panic starts to set in a little bit.

"I was just thankful David gave me the chance in the last frame - he left me a pot on a blue ball over a corner pocket. I was delighted to get through."

In the first match of the evening, Marco Fu saw off England's Jimmy Michie 5-2.

Fu, who is defending his title, fought back from being 2-0 down and continued to play magnificently after the interval.

The Hong Kong star made breaks of 139, 77 and 94 to knock off the final three frames.

England's Michael Holt had little trouble seeing off Mark Allen of Northern Ireland, 5-1, and Ryan Day beat Ricky Walden 5-4 in Sunday's final match.

Walden beat Ronnie O'Sullivan to win the Shanghai Masters earlier this month but could not repeat that form.

"I've tried my best to prepare the last few days, but it's been hard because I've still been buzzing from winning in Shanghai," said Walden.

"I had a chance in the last frame, but I didn't take it. Fair play to Ryan, he played well and deserved to win. He's a top player."

Source

No comments:

Post a Comment