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| Kurt Maflin is the lowest ranked player left in the PTC Grand Finals after defeating Ben Woollaston 4-3 in the Quarter- Finals. Image: Monique Limbos |
Kurt Maflin’s excellent run in the PTC Grand Finals continued
as he booked a place in the last four following a 4-3 victory over Ben
Woollaston. Currently ranked at number 66, the Norwegian took the early
advantage in the match, knocking in a 99 in the opener before also winning the
second. Leicester’s Woollaston took the next two to draw level but a break of
89 put Maflin back in control. Woollaston shaded a close sixth frame to force a
decider but it was Maflin who dominated, knocking in a break off 66 to secure
victory.
Maflin’s achievements were overshadowed by a magnificent 147
maximum break made by Ding Junhui earlier in the day as he squeezed past Mark
Allen by the same scoreline. Ding’s fifth maximum came in the opening frame and
earned him £2000 for the 147 prize and tournament high break. Allen battled
back and won the next two but Ding once again displayed his break-building
credentials by knocking in a 138 brake in frame four. He then went 3-2 up with
an 81 break in the fifth although Allen also made an excellent century break,
this time a 125 to force a decider. Ding though finished as he started and made
another century, a 108, to seal the match.
Neil Robertson defeated Xiao Guodong 4-1 to secure his place
in Sunday’s semi-finals. Xiao shaded the opener but Neil knocked in top breaks
of 60 and 92 on his way to winning the next four frames on the bounce.
He’ll face Tom Ford in the first semi-final after he defeated
Marco Fu 4-1. Ford had the best of the opening encounters, winning the first
three frames. Fu pulled one back with a 104 in frame four but it was too little
too late as Ford knocked in an 84 break to win the match.
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