German Masters Day 3

Barry Hawkins is one of the four remaining players ahead of
tomorrow's semi-finals after defeating Mark Selby 5-1.
Image: Monique Limbos

With no morning session at the Tempodron on Friday, the final four last 16 games were completed during the afternoon. On the main table, Mark Selby held off a spirited comeback from Ding Junhui to book a place in the Quarter-Finals. A break of 78 put Ding into an early lead and he could have gone 2-1 up but missed a very risky pot which allowed Selby to secure the frame and he went 3-1 up by knocking a 91 break before the interval. Selby took a closely fought fifth frame but breaks of 87 and 96 put Ding in touching distance at only 4-3 behind however Selby secured the victory by winning frame eight.

Shaun Murphy overcame Graeme Dott in an exciting match on an outside table which was won on a final frame decider. Murphy led 3-1 at the interval, with an excellent 127 break in the fourth but Dott won the next two to draw level. A 92 break from Murphy put him back ahead but Dott knocked in a 67 to force the decider which Shaun managed to take thanks to a 57 break.

Peter Lines’ excellent run in the competition was brought to an end as Marco Fu defeated him 5-3. Lines led 3-2 at one point but Fu won the next three on the bounce including breaks of 91 and 80 to progress. The other last 16 game saw Ali Carter progress thanks to a 5-2 win over Nottingham cue-man Anthony Hamilton.

The Quarters got underway in the evening session with the most exciting game taking place on the TV table as Neil Robertson defeated Shaun Murphy 5-4. Level at the interval, Robertson pulled out a two-frame advantage by winning frames five and six to go within a frame of victory. However, the under pressure Murphy turned on the style and knocked in two century breaks, a 107 and 133 to force a decider. Both players had chances in the decider but it was Robertson that made his count and secured the win.

He will play Ali Carter in the first semi-final tomorrow as he overcame Michael Holt 5-2. Holt, who was aiming to reach the semi-finals of a major ranking event for the first time in his career, started well by taking the first two frames but The Captain won five on the bounce to end Holt’s dreams.

Another excellent performance from Barry Hawkins saw him defeat Mark Selby 5-1. After beating Mark Allen by the same scoreline yesterday, the Dartford man started well again winning the first three frames and he was able to finish off the match by winning the two frames after the interval. He’ll face Marco Fu in the second semi after he defeated Matthew Stevens 5-3. The pair were tied at 2-2 at the interval but Fu won three of the next four frames with breaks of 70, 126 and 65 to seal the win.