Monday, 11 February 2019

LIVE BLOG: Liang Wenbo Vs Liam Highfield

Liang Wenbo 4-3 Liam Highfield - in the end that's a very fine win for Liang as his break of 74 in the decider proves more than enough for victory. Highfield threw plenty at him which if anything will make that a big boost for Liang to win it after struggling this season. A perfectly fine display from both players but on the day Liang comes through 4-3.

Frame 7 - After a long delay while the scoreboard was fixed Liang eventually gets the first chance in this decider floating in an excellent long red to hold for the black. With reds open this is a very good early chance here for Liang.

Frame Highfield - Another beautiful break from Liam Highfield and in around about 20 minutes he has fought from 3-1 down to 3-3. Once again in this break he looked in complete control and never looked like missing. Back to back centuries with a 108 sees this game going all the way and Liang must be wondering what has hit him. 3-3

Highfield secures a beautiful split on the reds and now this game definitely looks like heading to a decider as Highfield is in the groove here.

Frame 6 - An excellent long pot gets Highfield in first once more and he really has found his best game here now. If he gets a good split on the bunch in a few shots time we could be going all the way in this match.

Frame Highfield - Another quick kill in this frame for Highfield and another frame lasting less than 10 minutes overall before snookers are required. This really has been the perfect response from Highfield with a really confident break, striding round the table on the way to a stunning break of 140 to keep himself in the contest but still trailing 2-3.

Frame 5 - A missed long red from Liang this time leaves Highfield with the opening chance in the fifth frame and it is certainly a good early opportunity to get back into this match.

Frame Liang - It certainly wasn't plain sailing to the line in this frame for Liang as his break went on to feature an excellent long pink followed by a missed long red which would end up falling in the opposite corner. Highfield played on for a snooker this time but again no inroads were made and Liang is one away from victory now at 3-1.

Liang then has another chance after potting a long red but fails his attempt on the blue to the yellow pocket, only for Highfield not to take advantage. That allows Liang back but he loses position again after the opening red, but pots a great recovery pink with the rest and now has an excellent chance to regain his two frame advantage.

Frame 4 - Liang gets the first chance in the fourth frame straight from the break off as Highfield leaves a red to the middle. However, he loses position on just 10 before playing safe.

Frame Highfield - Another quick frame comes and goes as Highfield makes a break of 72 to leave Liang needing snookers in just a few minutes. Liang plays on for the snookers in an exercise that takes longer than the period prior to him needing snookers, but Highfield still ends up taking the frame to reduce the deficit at 1-2.

Frame 3 - Highfield is in first this time round after a good long red sees the cue ball stop just in time to leave him a cut on the brown. A good red to run through the bunch on 19 now makes this an excellent opportunity to get a frame back.

Frame Liang - After a longer opener the second frame in it's entirety only took eight and a half minutes as a good break of 76 from Liang sees him look very comfortable in doubling his lead. A good start for Liang as he moves 2-0 up.

This is turning into a golden chance now for Liang as he heads into the forties on this break with further reds opened up. He'd be disappointed not to double his lead from here.

Frame 2 - When Liang misses a long pot at the start of the second he leaves a half chance for Highfield, though the Englishman misses the black and has now let Liang in with a good early opportunity.

Frame Liang - Liang was looking good for the opener until landing the wrong side of the blue, over hitting his position for the pink and missing it into the middle. In the process though he flukes a snooker and when Highfield misses he concedes the frame. 1-0 Liang.

Highfield plays safe on 27, not happy with the angle he left on the red on the bottom cushion. Slightly surprised he didn't play it and with Liang knocking a long one in now he could be punished.

After another good safety battle, a snooker from Highfield sees Liang leave a red over the corner and allow Highfield back in. The table has opened up quite a bit now but two reds near cushions do not make this an easy frame winner here.

Highfield misses a testing red trying to hold for the black and that has left Liang in now with a decent chance. If he can clear the two reds closest to the black then it will make the break a lot easier. He just runs out of position slightly though and misses a red on 13.

Frame 1 - After a long period of safety to start the opening frame, Highfield has picked out a beauty of a long red and landed on the black to give him the first real chance. Quite a few reds are open but the pink and black are awkward at this early stage.

Second live blog of the day comes from the 1pm session and a good looking match up between Liang Wenbo and Liam Highfield.

Highfield reached the last 16 in Cardiff last year while Liang is a former Home Nations event winner.

The best result Liang has had this season is a couple of last 16 appearances, though the last of those was in early October so he's not had the best of times in recent months.

Highfield meanwhile has only gone beyond the last 64 once all season but both players are capable of doing a lot better on the day than their recent results demonstrate. Expect a pretty attacking contest between two aggressive and heavy scoring players.

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