It has been a great tournament for Stuart Pettman but his fairytale run in China this week was brought to an abrupt end today by the resurgent Peter Ebdon…
Afternoon Session
Results
Peter Ebdon 6-1 Stuart Pettman
100(100)-10, 64(57)-55(35), 25-60(34), 75(75)-0, 75-37(37), 66-55, 62(40)-25
Peter Ebdon will tomorrow be gunning for ranking event title number eight after ending the challenge of world number 62 in today’s first semi-final. From what I saw of the match, Peter picked up where he left off yesterday when he cruised past Stephen Hendry and again looked to be playing as well as I have seen him in at least a couple of seasons. The break building was not quite as impressive as yesterday but in a scrappy, tactical frame, one of the last players you would want to be up against is Peter Ebdon and so it proved today for Stuart as nothing seemed to go his way.
Coming into the event having won just two matches all season, this run is just what Peter needed and should ensure that he keeps his long unbroken spell in the elite top 16 going for another year. Given how he has played when I have seen him in action recently, I am really surprised that he has not only won matches and made the final, but genuinely looked to be cueing as well as I have seen him since he won the UK Championship back in 2006. Whoever he comes up against in the final it should be a really good match and you can bet that Peter won’t go down without a fight.
For Stuart he will be disappointed not to push Peter closer, but it has still been a hugely successful week for him and judging by the following quote on World Snooker, it has given him a taste for more.
“I couldn’t get going but it has been good experience and hopefully I can do better next year. This season has been a first for me with the time and effort I’ve put in. For the last ten years I’ve wasted my time. Rewards like this make you want to work harder.”
Having not qualified for the World Championship his season has now come to an end, but what a high note to end it on and it will be interesting to see if he can push on next season and repeat this kind of performance more regularly.