Fergal O'Brien will need all his famous recuperative powers if he is to reach the semi-finals of the Liverpool Victoria UK Championships in Bournemout. The world number nine from Dublin trails defending champion Mark Williams 6-2 after the first session, and requires seven of the remaining nine frames tomorrow night to qualify for the last four.
However, after coming from 7-2 down to deny world finalist Matthew Stevens 9-8 in the previous round, he believes anything is possible. Williams crucially won frame seven on a re-spotted black after he had initially required two snookers.
Meanwhile, Ronnie O'Sullivan was all square at 4-4 after the first session of his quarter-final against Quinten Hann this afternoon. For the first time in a season that has already yielded the Champions Cup and Regal Masters titles, O'Sullivan looked frustrated and angry at his failure to stamp his authority on the match.
The world number four from London beat Hann 5-0 last month but rarely threatened a repeat today. He began well enough by taking the first frame, and then clearing up with 70 from 56-0 down to regain his advantage at 2-1. But then things started to go astray, and Hann began to show the talent that so often in the past has taken second billing to his antics.
When O'Sullivan missed a chance to lead 3-1 Hann, still hobbling and playing without shoes after breaking his foot in a parachute accident, hit back with a 42 clearance to level at 2-2. He took the lead for the first time at 3-2 and then won another black-ball frame to go 4-2 in front.
Just when O'Sullivan faced a first-session deficit he showed the determination to take the final two frames, 80-14 and 62-14. But he still needs another five frames tomorrow to reach what would be his fourth semi-final of the season. John Higgins, the 1998 UK champion, also won two black-ball frames as he gained a hard-fought lead over countryman Drew Henry.
Filed by Shane Murray
