Snooker news - Welsh open - Higginson in the final

After beating Stephen Maguire 6-3 on the semi-finals Andrew Higginson meets Neil Robertson in the final. Higginson got the opening frame with a modest 48 break, follwed by Stephen`s 55 break. They did the same thing again, but now with 79 for Higginson and 71 for Maguire. 2-2 score lead the match to the mid-session where Higginson takes the lead with three breakes over 50 points. Even if Stephen takes another frame, Andrew Higginson makes it 6-3 and moves to the final meeting Neil Robertson. Andrew Higginson provisonaly ranked 63 before this season, now he goes for the first time under the last 48. Being in the last 16 of Malta cup and now in the final of Welsh open brought him to place 40 in the provisional ranking.

Snooker news - Welsh open - Robertson in the final

After beating the veteran Steve Davis, Neil Robertson meets on of the semi-finalists Andrew Higginson or Stephen Maguire in the final.
Robertson decide to go to the final of the Welsh open winning four frames in a row ( 41 , 70 , 107 and 79 breakes ) against the six-time world champion. Davis tryed to reduce the difference with a 54 and a 91 break, but he couldn`t withstand Neil`s good shape.

Snooker news - Welsh open - Robertson goes further

Neil Robertson passes over Ronnie O`Sullivan in the quarter-final and goes further to the semi-finals where he meets Steve Davis. Robertson started the match against Ronnie with a consistent break of 135 points, putting his opponent in the chair for a long time. Robertson also took the second frame but Ronnie came back to equal the score with a 69 and a remarkable 122 points break. On the second session O`Sullivan takes the lead making again a century break of 109 points. Even if Ronnie missed an easy yellow shot and let Robertson win the sixth frame, he takes back the seventh frame winning a long safety battle. The fourth century break - 124 lead the match into the decisive game. Strangely, Ronnie misses a red letting Neil to clean the table and go into the semi-finals.

Snooker news - Welsh open - Higginson interviewed

After making the maximum break and reaching the semi-finals of the Welsh open, Higginson speak a bit of his evolution :
"I had to leave the arena and compose myself after the 147 because I was shaking like a leaf," he added.
"I had to pot a few good balls from difficult angles. I can't tell you how happy I am with that, just playing on TV is brilliant but to get a maximum is unbelievable."
"For the next two frames that is all I was thinking about, I was just numb and going through the motions. But that helped me because I was potting balls without thinking about it."
"I've come from the first qualifying round and just to play these players is fantastic, but to be in the semi-finals is beyond my wildest dreams.
"I always knew I was capable of playing well but to do it on a stage like this is fantastic."

Snooker news - Welsh open - Murphy is history

Shaun Murphy makes history in the 2nd round of Welsh open against Jamie Cope, winning 5-0. This Victory was so special because the 2005 World-Champion managed to produce 4 consecutive century breaks in a first-to-five match. He started in the first frame with the best break - 135 points followed by 123 , 102 and 101 points. Of course he tryed to produce the fifth century break, but he lost position at 31 points. John Higgins managed to make 4 consecutive century breaks at 2005 Grand prix against Ronnie O`Sullivan, but in a fisrt-to-9 match. If Murphy could have produced that fifth century break he would the first in history to realize five consecutive century breaks. After the match Muprhy declared :
"That was disappointing because I wanted five on the bounce. That would've been something”,
“I'm really proud but I'm sure the record will be beaten in years to come. Standards are improving all the time.”
Jamie Cope that scored just 32 points compared with Murphy`s 556 said at the post-match conference :
“That's the best anyone has ever played against me”,
“Shaun played brilliantly and everything fell perfectly for him. He was flawless and it was good to watch.”

Snooker news - Welsh open - Davis is still playing

The 49-year-old snooker veteran, after beating the world champion Graeme Dott 5-3 declared that his objective is to remain in the first 16 before his 50th birth. He also added:
"It would be great to stay there when I turn 50, especially as I won't have to go back to the qualifiers at Prestatyn," said Davis.
"I started my career at Pontin's but I don't want to end it there - I haven't got enough 50p's for the meter!
"To beat the world champion and someone whose put me to bed a few times in recent years is great."
"I'm hitting the ball quite straight at the moment and when you're confident about your potting you can devote a greater percentage of your concentration to positional play.
"The cloth is very fast so you have to be precise."
In conclusion these Newport conditions are helping the veteran and we hope to see him advance on the world ranking.Steve Davis will meet Anthony Hamilton in the quarter-finals and Robertson or O`Sullivan in the semi-finals.

Snooker news - Welsh open - Higginson`s maximum break

Andrew Higginson continues his amazing progress passing trough Ali Carter 5-1, and produced his first break of 147. His effort brings him £22000, a great sum comparing to his earning in 12 years of pro-career £70000. He played constantly and produced 4 big breakes after the first short frame - 147 , 83 , 48 and 104 in the last frame. The 29-year-old is just 63rd in the world ranking and has never been beyond the last 48. On the last month at the Malta cup he met Ken Doherty, and lost the match. Now he will meet Shaun Murphy- 2005 World Champion that just passed trough Jamie Cope 5-0 and Stephen Maguire in the semi-finals