While the news of Joe Jogia’s suspension has taken some of the attention away from this week’s Shanghai Masters qualifiers, the action continued at the EIS today with victories for a number of up and coming players, while legends Steve Davis and Jimmy White also progressed…
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If you had told Thai youngster Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon a week ago that he would be through to the final round of this week’s Shanghai Masters qualifiers having won ten frames from ten played, he probably wouldn’t have believed you, but having added wins against Dechawat Poomjaeng and now Mike Dunn to his round one bye against Hossein Vafaei, that is exactly what has happened.
Having reached the venue stages of the German Masters, as well as having become the youngster ever player to have made a competitive maximum break during his début season in 2010/11, there have been promising signs from Thanawat already during his career and he now faces Jamie Cope tomorrow for a place in Shanghai.
While Thanawat cruised into the final round, at the time of writing, six of today’s other winners required a ninth and deciding frame to come through and advance to tomorrow’s final round. Amongst them, Rod Lawler survived a brave fightback from Liang Wenbo, who from 4-2 down won the eighth frame by a single point with a clearance of 43 to force a decider. Lawler however responded in fine style, winning the decider in one visit to set up a clash with Fergal O’Brien tomorrow.
There was an even narrower escape for Ireland’s Ken Doherty, who having also surrendered a 4-2 lead, looked for a moment that he might fall victim to a clearance on the colours from Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. Fortunately for the 1997 world champion however, Un-Nooh missed the final pink to right-centre, which was soon doubled in by Ken to secure a 5-4 win and a match with Marcus Campbell in the last 48.
Earlier in the day, the improving Aditya Mehta continued his bid for a maiden venue with a narrow victory against Matt Selt, while Scotland’s Anthony McGill came through a decider with veteran Andy Hicks to reach the last 48 stage of his second consecutive ranking event. Robert Milkins also came through a decider against Liam Highfield, though despite his defeat Liam seemed happier with his performances this week judging by his comments on Twitter.
It was not all about the youngsters however, as Steve Davis and Jimmy White were both able to move into the last 48, 5-1 winners against Alfie Burden and Michael White respectively. Dave Harold too was able to gain a measure of revenge for his World Championship qualifying defeat to Cao Yupeng, defeating the Chinese prospect 5-3 to progress.
At the time of writing (midnight), Mark Joyce and Rory McLeod have just started their deciding frame of what has been a long match, which Rory has never headed. Could he steal it at the death?
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zabaks
July 26, 2012 at 11:51 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Liang was at minus 46 with 35 remaining in that 8th frame vs Lawler. If I understand correctly those live scores, then came 4 pts foul from opponent with a free ball. So, 43 clearance to win by 1 point it was, starting with a free ball.
dannyboy
July 27, 2012 at 8:07 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Great watching SD win again as well as Jimmy White. Steve has now beaten Alfie Burden 4-0 and 5-1 now in last 12 months. Last week saw Steve show a bit of form in winning two matches and following up today with a quality performance put fears of his first event well behind him. Certainly Mr Wild benefitted from an early Wuxi fixture which fortunately is a thing of the past. Mr Burden’s game plan and attacking style (with mistakes) is never going to match up well with Steve. It was like watching a game from the 80s as Steve punished each mistake and mixed it in with crafty snookers and safety as well as a touch of luck. As WT would say he was always lucky as the green disappeared in the last frame from the middle jaw into the top left hand corner pocket. By the end Alfie wanted the ground to gobble him up. He was totally gone. Given their rankings this game should do SD a great deal of confidence as his class shone through. Last time against Higginson SD won easily but I think revenge may be on someones mind today.
terry 147
July 27, 2012 at 3:37 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
devastating davis destroys horried higginson steve rolled back the years shot perfect from start to finish .higginson was not just missing he was missing by a jonh street . what a comeback i watch steve against micheal wild early this season the way he played that day i thougth he was finished . but the way he played today he is far from finished. anybody who thinks they have just got to turn up to beat old hasbeen forget it.all the best steve you desreve it on that performence.
dannyboy
July 27, 2012 at 5:21 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
SD continues to be a legend. First few games up in the summer are never an indicator and never will be. Steve doesnt take much to rekindle the class which is permanent. He sadly will more than likely throw in a shocker as soon as a great performance now but having watched him exclusively for years the first frame and his first few scoring visits often set the tone. The PTC last week and these two wins were perfect for Steve as he got his break building going. Once he beat Zhang from 2-0 down he has won something like 18 frames to 2 (if you dismiss Carters 4-1 defeat late at night!) Higginson like Burden has a good style for SD. Steve struggles these days once he goes behind and more and more pressure is put on him scoring. If he gets in early and builds a lead he is a great front runner. Today was a joy – 39 break to start and set him up for a lead then two near 100 breaks before a clean kill. Top 48 looks good again and he has three solid draws in the next PTCs in the next month. If he can maintain the enthusiasm and confidence from the last two weeks he may go deep in one of those events before Shanghai. I just marvel at Steve’s continued longevity (every time he throws in a shocker like Wild I think to myself wait and see) and he continues to reward his faithful following. A living legend enjoyed – keep going Mr Davis we love it.
Claus
July 28, 2012 at 12:49 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Being both a massive Nugget fan and an opponent of the chinese wild card scam, it would be pretty devastating if Steve was to be sent home on that note.
Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. Steve, and the sport in general, does not deserve to be mistreated in such a disgraceful manner.
But that is all to be seen. For now I am just delighted at the high quality of Steve Davis at the moment. It is a joy to watch.