Australian Goldfields Open (Day 3)

Mark Davis needed all nine frames to defeat Paul Davison
Image: World Snooker

Mark Davis was extremely fortunately to progress to the last 16 after coming back from 4-3 down to beat Paul Davison 5-4. The first four frames were shared, with Pickering man Davison hitting a break of 112 in frame three. The world number 71 then began to take a grip on the match, going 3-2 up with a run of 61. Davis hit back with a 104 in the next but Davison went within frame of victory after hitting a 124 century in the seventh. He almost did claim the match but missed match ball pink at a full 12 feet which allowed Davis to pot pink and black to force the decider. It was another close frame but Davis took it on the final pink as the match crossed the four hour mark.

Robert Milkins’ pursuit of a spot in the top 16 continued as he defeated Ben Woollaston 5-3. Milkins was 3-1 up at the interval with top runs of 85 and 112. Woollaston won the next but Milkins went 4-2 up by hitting a break of 75 in frame six. A 58 from Woollaston kept the match alive but Milkins took the eighth 60-0. He’ll now face Rory McLeod in the last 16 after he received a bye following Ding Junhui’s withdrawal from the tournament due to visa issues.

The other remaining first round match was completed during the afternoon session as Marco Fu defeated Ken Doherty 5-2. Fu got off to a fantastic start and won the first three frames but the 1997 World Championship won frame four with a 116 break to trail 3-1. Fu responded after the break with a 102 and although Ken won the sixth, the match was sealed as Fu won frame seven.

The evening session saw the commencement of the last 16 matches and home hero Neil Robertson overcame a tricky encounter with Jamie Cope. Stoke potter Cope had a disastrous 2012/13 season, partly due to an incurable hand tremor but has started this season well and won the opener with a run of 74. Robertson responded compiling runs of 82 and 76 but Cope levelled at the interval by taking the fourth. Robertson won the next two with breaks of 83 and 91 which seemed to get to Cope as he through his cue at a couple of pots in the seventh. He required a snooker which he managed to get and ended up potting the last pink and black to seal the frame but it was all in vain as Robbo hit a break of 68 in the eighth to seal the match.

Dominic Dale is the other man through to the quarter-finals after beating Fergal O’Brien 5-2. Irishman O’Brien won the opener but Dale responded with runs of 54, 54 and 69 to lead 3-1 at the interval. The Welshman then went 4-1 up and although O’Brien took the next on the black, the match was wrapped up by Dale who took frame seven with a run of 84.