Ireland's Fergal O'Brien had a terrific 5-4 win over world champion Peter Ebdon in his second round match at the LG Cup in Preston today.
Both players started with a brace of century breaks, including O'Brien's best effort of 128 as he assumed a 2-0 lead. Ebdon's response was to roll in 101 to open his account. Back came O'Brien with exactly 100 to lead 3-1 before Ebdon sparked a three-frame burst with a contribution of 103. Breaks of 45 and 53 sent him ahead for the first time at 4-3. However, O'Brien took the penultimate frame despite Ebdon's 49 and then shaded a 41-minute decider.
"I didn't feel there was a psychological edge because I was playing the world champion," said the former British Open champion from Dublin. "But it was nice to beat Peter live on television in the first event of the season." The world number 23 added: "My attitude this season is just to go out and try to win a tournament again because you can get too caught up in the rankings." Ebdon conceded: "I've played a lot worse than that and won matches before."
O'Brien now plays surprise qualifier Gerard Greene for a place in the quarter-finals. James Wattana won his opening match against Robin Hull 5-4 after being 4-0 in arrears. And history threatened to repeat itself as the former World Matchplay champion battled back from 4-0 down to trail Paul Hunter 4-3. But the Benson and Hedges Masters title-holder dominated frame eight, 91 points to eight, and next faces seven times world champion Stephen Hendry.
Meanwhile, another Irishman, Michael Judge, lost his second round match 5-3 to former world champion Mark Williams.
Filed by James Boylan.
