By elliott west
Few people knew what they were expecting when play started in Belfast yesterday. The best of seven format is always one that causes a few shock defeats and player inspiration.
Stuart Bingham was always expected to win his match Lu Ning but on the day the match went to the wire. The highlight of the match was Stuart’s fabulous 147 break in the opening frame. A feat that I have not managed to see in the thirty plus years I have been watching the sport. Most players may have been phased by this bolt from the blue but Chinese players seem to take the unexpected in their stride and Ning ploughed on, squeezing the best out of Stuart, taking the match to a deciding frame. Like any true professional Bingham held on in this rollercoaster ride and produced the necessary game when it was needed and pulled through 4-3.
Another player who dumped out yesterday was Jack Lisowski. Despite such a promising career, Jack still hasn’t managed to fulfil his full potential. His opponent Hossein Vafaei can produce some good snooker and big breaks. Lisowski for some reason wasn’t up for the challenge letting the match go to a decider. On this occasion Jack was on the losing side. Vafaei left the arena jubilant after his 4-3 win and was surprised when he was met backstage by Ronnie O’Sullivan who wanted to congratulate him on his win. Ronnie had managed to get through his first hurdle by beating Oliver Lines, 4-2.
Elsewhere there were good wins for Kyren Wilson who whitewashed Alan McManus, 4-0, Michael Holt knocked out Michael White, 4-2 and Joe Perry got the better of Zhao Xintong, 4-2.
Yesterday’s play definitely lived up to expectations and produced some more snooker magic. With all the top players still intact, the likes of Robertson, Trump and Selby seem possible winners but the best of seven could be any of their downfalls.
