Evans Remains Winless
Five times ladies world champion, Reanne Evans ended her debut season on the pro tour without a single victiry after losing to Sam Baird by ten-frames-to-six as the Betfred.com world championship in Sheffield.
Baird, who himself slipped off the pro tour last year proved too strong for Evans, who received a "Tour Wildcard" from Barry Hearn, over the longer distance.
After eight frames the pair were level but it was the Devonian youngster who snatched a one frame advantage at the half way stage, despite a run of 50 by Evans.
When play resumed, it was Evans who started brightly levelling the match without her younger opponent troubling the scorer.
Baird then stole two early frames on the pink to open up a three frame lead and stretched further ahead in the next.
With a highest break of just 24, Evans managed to halt to slide by taking frame 14, but fell three behind with four to play when Baird slotted in the highest break of the match, 90.
In the next, Evans who in undefeated on the ladies tour since 2008, stormed ahead thanks mainly to a run of 43, but a response of 36 and clearance of 30 saw Baird over the line.
Reward for Baird, comes in the form of a match against Thailand's Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon and is just four matches from the Crucible, while for Evans it will be a trip to Q School in an attempt to earn playing rights next year.
Jak Jones also booked his place at Q School after being hammered by Stephen Rowlings by ten-frames-to-three.
Jones, earned his place on tour by winning the 2010 European Under-19 championship and like Evans has remained winless in major competition, although he did manage a few wins in PTC events.
Rowlings stormed ahead in the first session with breaks of 108 and 76 the high points.
Jones rallied by pinching the first frame of the evening session on the black but that was the end of his resistance and Rowlings sealed a comfortable win, exploiting Jones' lack of experience by taking the next three frames.
Rowlings will now take on Paul Davison.
