With yesterday’s play causing more pain for the top 16, the likes of Judd Trump and John Higgins were sent packing. With only Barry Hawkins, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby and Mark Williams left from the snooker elite, todays play was always going to be an interesting days play.
In the afternoon’s play, Mark Williams was drawn against David Gilbert. Williams played out of his skin, leaving Gilbert left sat in his chair for most of the opening frames, Gilbert was only able to capture a frame in a match that started off as what could have been described as “The Mark Williams Show”. This was quick fire play by the Welshman and if you had left the room for any reason, you would have returned to find Williams already 3-1 to the good. Breaks of 63, 93 and 56 saw Mark leaving the arena to return to his dressing room with a big grin on his face. After the interval, this perfection story with Williams taking the first frame after the interval to lead 4-1.
A messy next frame ensued with Williams unable to kill off the frame and match in one visit. He eventually potted the last long red and a slap on his thigh after the pot showed what it meant for Mark. Final score, 5-1, Williams. Sadly Gilbert didn’t show up today as his opponent left him mentally drained and bruised.
On the other table Joe Perry was up against Hossein Vafaei. Perry didn’t display that baize brilliance that he displayed yesterday and his Iranian opponent had Perry under the cosh.
Vafaei has in my opinion a false ranking of 41 he is supremely talented and has a level of self belief that many lack.
Here is his victory over Joe Perry for you to enjoy…..
In the evening’s play Mark Selby was drawn against Barry Hawkins. This was quite an even match with maybe Selby just having the edge before the start of the match.
In the head to head, Selby has eight wins over Hawkins’ seven. This match looked like going all the way and it did just that with Selby running out a 5-4 winner and here is the match for you to enjoy….
In the other match, Kurt Maflin was playing Shaun Murphy. Maflin who had a great win against John Higgins yesterday, sadly didn’t play as well today and it was Murphy who had the run of the ball.
A spirited effort by Kurt gave him two frames but in the end Murphy dominated the match.
Shaun Murphy has a recent track record of getting to the final with recent clashes with Judd Trump in the International Championship and Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Shanghai Masters.
Sadly he met players who were in top form and it wasn’t to be his day on either occasion. Maybe today could be a turning point and this may be his tournament as he breezes past Kurt Maflin 5-2 and reaches his third semi-final on the bounce.
Here is the match for you to enjoy…….
