China Open Daily News – Day Seven
Neil Tomkins writes live from Beijing as Peter Ebdon wins The Bank of Beijing China Open.
We noticed on the website of the players’ hotel that it was tournament director, Michael Ganley’s birthday during our stay in China.
According to the Hotel Nikko New Century, Mike is now 36. We don’t think he looks a day over ??. Anyway happy birthday Mr.G.
Snooker tournaments are funny. On the one hand, the last day is the big finale, the match between the two best players to decide the title. On the other hand there is almost a sense of anti-climax around the venue.
The banter of the players’ lounge is replaced by an eerie silence.
One-by-one the players have headed home to begin their final preparations for the world championship in Sheffield, leaving the two best players this week, John Higgins and Peter Ebdon to battle it out in a predictably hard-fought match.
The first four frames were shared with Ebdon making a century break before the interval for the second day running.
Ebdon also produced another classic for Youtube, by jumping on the spot repeatedly as the cue ball slowly, but successfully escaped a really tough snooker in frame four.
The highlight of the afternoon session was a 140 total clearance from Higgins, which equalled the week’s highest break made by Ricky Walden.
During the interval Global-snooker caught up with Ebdon, who seemed in good spirits.
Following an extended absence from the final stages of events, he was delighted to be involved.
“It’s been a while and I am so happy to have found some form, especially with Sheffield around the corner”, he said.
“It is like a step up in class against John. I can’t believe how much trouble he has had me in out there”.
Higgins, who was involved in the Championship League before flying out to China, and in the longer semi-final against Ryan Day yesterday began to show signs of fatigue.
In frame 17, his frustrations could be seen as he picked the cue ball off the table as it was about to go in-off and it looked like he was tempted to launch it!
Higgins' race was done when he lost that frame and the 2002 world champion sealed a great win with an entertaining 71 break in the next.
Well done Peter, me 'ole China!
See you all at The Crucible...
