Mark Selby was much improved today in his second round match, beating Zhang Anda 5-1 in a much more comfortable win than his first round match which he scraped through against Ian Burns. Meanwhile, both of the former champions Barry Hawkins and Stuart Bingham exited to Tom Ford and Joe Perry respectively. My tip Shaun Murphy also exited, to a fantastic performance by Marco Fu who came from 2-0 down to win all of the next 5 frames for victory.
Thursday's 2nd Round results:
Tom Ford 5-4 Barry Hawkins - Tom Ford won an entertaining encounter against defending champions Barry Hawkins as there were 7 half century breaks in the 9 frames as the match went the distance. Hawkins made breaks of 67, 78 and 87 before a break of 74 forced the decider. Meanwhile Ford's top breaks were 57, 67 and 89. It was Ford that held his nerve for the victory though and a place in the quarter-finals.
Robert Milkins 5-2 Rory McLeod - Robert Milkins stormed to a comfortable victory against Rory McLeod to make himself favourite for the top half. Milkins raced into a 4-0 lead with breaks of 50, 75, 87 and 123. McLeod hit back with breaks of 52 and 137 to get a couple of frames back, but Robert won the next for a comfortable victory as expected.
Marco Fu 5-2 Shaun Murphy - Marco Fu pulled out a fantastic experience to send Shaun Murphy packing. Murphy started as he finished in Round 1, taking an early 2-0 lead including a break of 92. In the next Shaun missed a red on 56 and let Marco in as he took the frame with a break of 80. Fu never looked back after that, breaks of 61 and 70 putting him into the lead at 3-2. The win looked likely after Fu went 4-2 up and he finished I style with a lovely 115 century break, giving Marco a well deserved quarter-final place.
Joe Perry 5-3 Stuart Bingham - Joe Perry continued his fantastic run off form as he beat 2011 champion Stuart Bingham 5-3. Bingham had led 2-0 early on with breaks of 50, 53 and 56, but Perry fought back well to take the next 3, stealing the fourth with a 72 after Bingham made an earlier 71, to lead 3-2. Bingham hit back to level at 3-3 with a break of 70, but Perry took the next to go 1 away and a break of 51 was enough to give Perry the frame he needed for victory and a quarter-final place.
Mark Davis 5-3 Alfie Burden - Mark Davis survived a mini fight back from Alfie Burden to book his Last 8 place with a 5-3 victory. Last years semi-finalist Davis cruised into an early 4-1 lead against Burden as Burden only made 30 points in those 4 frames that Mark won. Davis scored nicely as well, making breaks of 82, 83 and 85 along the way. Alfie hit back though with breaks of 50 and 51 to reduce the deficit 4-3 and threatened a comeback. However, Davis held his nerve in the next to secure the victory.
Mark Selby 5-1 Zhang Anda - Mark Selby looked much improved on his poor first round performance as he thrashed Chinaman Zhang Anda. Leicester's Selby raced into a 4-0 interval lead with breaks of 69, 71, 76 and 90 with a whitewash well within his sights. But for an 87 from Zhang in the next it might well have been, but Mark won the next to seal a comfortable victory (the likes of which he needs more of) to set-up a Last 8 clash with fellow Mark, Davis.
Quarter-Final Draw and previews :
Tom Ford Vs Robert Milkins - This should be a really entertaining contest, as both of these are quick players who score fast and heavily when in full flow. Neither have ever won a ranking event but both have what it takes to do that this week. Robert has the better form behind him and looks the marginally better of the two so far in Bendigo, so I think he will take a tight tussle to make the last 4.
Marco Fu Vs Dominic Dale - Many will expect Fu to win this one after his performance against Shaun Murphy today. However, Dale has played just as well this week and could be a decent value each way bet for the tournament with the experience that he has. Both are similar players, great tactical players and great thinkers of the game, who can also score heavily when required. Fu definetly has the slight edge in this one, but you would be foolish to rule out Welshman Dale.
Neil Robertson Vs Joe Perry - This should be a very intriguing match between two guys that will know a lot about each other's games being practice partners. They are also two of the games in form players at the moment and the winner of this match could well go and win the event. Robertson will be desperate to win his home event, especially if he wants it to take place again in 12 months time. The Aussie has the edge on this weeks form with 2 easy victories, but Perry won their last meeting 5-0 in Shanghai last year, and he is well capable of repeating that result again. If Perry can repeat the performance that saw him beat Stuart Bingham today he will make life tough for Neil, but I think that the home boy will take what should be a very close encounter.
Mark Selby Vs Mark Davis - In the battle of the Mark's, Selby has the edge on the head-to-head's with a crushing victory in the 2012 UK Championship quarter-finals. Although, Davis is a very tricky opponent for any player, and this should prove so again for the former World No.1. Selby will need to maintain his improved performance of today if he is to win, while Davis will need to get off to a good start if he is to have any chance of reaching the last 4. This should be another tight match, but one where the Jester's fans need to see him get off to a good start if he is to be the victor.
Looks like a good quarter-final line-up for the Australian Open, which will now have a new champion, but will the champion once again also be winning his first ranking event? We'll just have to see how the rest of the week pans out.
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