China Open 2011 - Day 4 (part I)

14:25:00 Ramona Dragomir 0 Comments

Another great comeback from Shaun Murphy
After some really nice battles of cues and some surprises, we have the first four names through to the quarter-finals round, due to take place tomorrow. Stephen Lee took down another Welshman, this time it was Ryan Day, Judd Trump continued his wonderful run, defeating Mark Davis, Shaun Murphy took "revenge" on the Chinese wildcard that eliminated two former world champions, as for the current world champion things weren’t so great; he lost to Peter Ebdon.


Another "wise" decision not to cover the Lee v. Day match on television! Why is that?! I don’t know, but what I know is that it deserved to be showed to the viewers.
'The Bulldog" Lee took the opening frame, but things were going to get shared until the mid-session interval kicked off, as Day hit an 88 to draw at 1-1, Lee replayed by taking the second frame with a 47 break and Day made another half century break, this time a 78, to set the score at 2-2.

Peter Ebdon takes down the world champion
However, things were going to take a very different course after the break, as Stephen Lee stormed in to win all the remaining frames and close the deal with another Welshman at 5-2. First name through to the quarter-finals!


Judd Trump booked himself a place into the next round as well, by ending the match played against Mark Davis on the same scoreline, 5-2.
The youngster took the first three frames as to go 3-0 up, with a set of 69 and another 69, Davis succeeded in pulling one back as to enter the interval being lead just by two points, but the first frame after the break was over was going to be also cashed by Trump.
One more effort to go 4-2 behind the EPTC 1 winner, but it was not enough as Judd was with one foot and four toes into the quarter-finals, breaks of 33 and 24 sealing his victory.


Shaun Murphy seems to have a new habit: remarkable comebacks. He did it in the match against Joe Perry when he was 3-1 down and he did it once more today against Li Hang.
Break of 91 and 54 were putting the little Chinese 2-0 in front, but Murphy succeeded in winning his first frame with a top break of 64. Still, Li had one more ace to play, in the form of a 59 one, for he set the score at 3-1 up, as the boys were entering their tea break.

Robbo failing to qualify for the quarter-finals
Just like he used us to act or re-act, Murphy made his comeback after the break, as to go just one step away from victory, at 4-3, breaks of 64 and 85 helping him achieve that.
However, since Hang was now just one point behind he forced the match into a decider, a decider that, sadly for him, didn’t win, Murphy earning his quarter-finals sport fair and square.


The last match to end the morning session was the one between Neil Robertson and Peter Ebdon, the last one being able to defeat the current world champion with an amazing 5-1 scoreline.
It was a slow match....like dhaaaa! Since Ebbo was one of the players, it was only normal, but he played rather well and did real damage to Neil’s confidence I think. The Australian didn’t seem to get anything right and as soon as he was given a chance he would lose it right away.
Runs of 85, 65 and 42 were setting the score 4-0, in favor of Peter, when Roobo hit a marvelous 80 to give his fans hope for a comeback. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, the next frame being won, after a tremendous battle, by Ebdon.


The day continues with the following matches:


From 12:30 (UK time)
Stephen Hendry v. Ding Junhui
John Higgins v. Ricky Walden
Robert Milkins v. Mark Selby
Ali Carter v. Marcus Campbell


TV coverage:
12:00 - 12:30 British EuroSport
12:30 - 15:45 British EuroSport (live)

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