For all the latest scores during the event visit GSC
The final four spots in the last 16 were up for grabs late this afternoon, click below to who went through…
Ding Junhui 9-6 Steve Davis
Ding Junhui defeated Steve Davis 9-6 tonight in a match that in reality was closer than that scoreline would suggest.
Resuming at 4-4, Davis should probably have taken the opening two frames but ended up losing both against an opponent who was struggling to really find his form. Having gone 6-4 ahead though, Ding began to grow in confidence and breaks of 70 and 80 in the next couple of frames appeared to put the match beyond Steve’s reach.
Having played quite cautiously up until this point, Steve then though seemed to just go for it, and his strong long potting throughout the match continued as he made a couple of nice breaks to make it 8-5. Frame 16 was incredibly tight, but it again Davis managed to sneak it and you could see that he was up for it as Ding began to look increasingly nervous.
This is as far as the comeback was to go however as Ding had the first opportunity in the next frame and though he did not seal it in one visit, a couple of missing from Davis when attempting to go into the pack proved to be his undoing.
Next up for Ding is John Higgins in what appears to be one of the standout ties of the last 16…
Shaun Murphy 9-7 Martin Gould
2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy finally won a ranking match this season with a 9-7 win over Martin Gould, though he was made to fight for it after a terrific comeback from his opponent.
From 5-3 up overnight Shaun appeared to be full of confidence early on, taking the first two frames to lead 7-3. Martin though suddenly found his form and perhaps free from pressure, went on a remarkable run, taking four frames in a row to level the match at 7-7! 
Murphy though responded like the champion he is to make breaks of 76 and 43 in the last two frames to win through and book a match with Mark Allen tomorrow. Having endured a nightmare season so far, hopefully from Shaun’s point of view he can turn things around now and show the form that we all know he can…
Mark Allen 9-2 Stuart Bingham
Mark Allen wasted no time in completing a 9-2 victory over Stuart Bingham tonight, taking the opening three frames of today’s session to book a tie with Shaun Murphy in the next round.
It will be interesting to see whether this can be the tournament where Mark really shows what a talent he is, particularly on the BBC as he has rarely played to his best on those events, particularly away from the Crucible. Given the quarter of the draw that he is in at the moment, I have a sneaky feeling that we could see him in the semis. Time will tell.
Ali Carter 9-2 Ian McCulloch
Having finished at 6-2 last night, Ali Carter received a bye today as Ian McCulloch became the second player to withdraw from this tournament due to illness, the fourth in total if you include the qualifiers.
Ali now goes on to face Peter Ebdon in a rematch of their Crucible quarter-final.
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2 comments
dannyboy says:
December 15, 2008 at 11:09 pm (UTC 0 )
Steve sadly let this one get away and with it a chance at the top 16 I feel. In reality he showed a step back tonight. From 4-4 each he went into negative mode and having got a chance was so bogged down with safety he wasnt able to be fluent amongst the balls and lost position. I think he concentrated too much on trying not to leave his top 16 opponent chances and almost complicated breaks by looking for pots with safety!! When he played Gunnell he didnt seem to worry about missing and the chances he might leave and instead just focused on his game and potting. Hence 100 break and 92 and 87 and 75. In this match he started with two breaks near 70 and was on top at 3-1. However once Ding had shown that 3 frame burst of breaks, 100, 73 and 130 to go 4-3 up, Davis seemed to look for caution, got much slower and over cautious. At 4-4 he had two great chances and ended up playing like he did last year and a few years ago when he was too negative and never took a pot on. He messed up which is a shame because his games of real contrast are great to watch. He is a very important ingredient in a game which needs characters. Disappointed with Terry Griffiths on commentary though. Sounded like he was putting the knife in a few times, which was rather sad because it sounded like a mixture of jealousy and trying to settle an old score……..namely he was never as good!
If Steve can win his world qualifier in March he will have a good amount of points to carry over next year. In reality he could start next year’s provisional rankings well ahead of Hendry! Now there is a story the king of the 80s higher ranked than the king of the 90s in 2009? If the form of both stays consistent for another year would Hendry retire if he was ranked in the low 20s and Davis was nearer the top 16. It could happen now……Mr Hendry you have been warned.
Let’s hope Steve gets the wildcard for the Masters! Any idea on the criteria as clearly that would be a sentimental vote rather than giving it to say a hotshot like Jamie Cope or more recent star like Williams or Stevens?!
matt2745 says:
December 15, 2008 at 11:32 pm (UTC 0 )
Some excellent contributions recently Danny
Despite the lack of replies, people are reading I can assure you 
In fact today has seen more visitors to this site than on any other day during the existence of the site which is great to see, must be doing something right!
The criteria for the Masters is an interesting one, results will be important but as it is an invitational event, commercial factors will come into it too I guess. Personally I’d give it to Walden or maybe Stevens depending on how he does this week, but Davis won’t be too far down the list of contenders.
Desperately hope Stephen can turn things around, can never write him off though and I’m sure he’ll be back competing sooner or later…