Steadman Walking
Craig Steadman’s impressive first season came to an end in the best match of day one of qualifying for the Sanyuan Foods China Open against Devon’s Sam Baird.
The Englishman had risen to number 70 in the latest world rankings following last week’s Welsh Open, but is certain to fall a few places after his five-frames-to-three defeat.
Baird, also in his first season on tour has not had as good a start as his opponent after losing his opening match in three of the first four events.
It was Baird who got off to a flying start taking the opening three frames including a break of 56 in the third.
Steadman came back strongly to level the match at three a piece with breaks of 100, his fourth century of the season in the fourth, and 71 in the fifth.
Baird responded well to the pressure and took the next two frames without his opponent scoring a single point, making a century of his own (115) in the eighth and decisive frame.
He will now take on China’s Liu Song, who has recently found some form in reaching the final stages of the Welsh Open.
Elsewhere on day one in Prestatyn, Malta’s Tony Drago continued his assault back up the world rankings beating England’s Lee Page by five-frames-to-two.
Heavy scoring has been a feature of Matthew Selt’s game this season. He again opened with a 134 break in his match against Mark Boyle. Eventually winning 5-2, and earning a place against Rod Lawler.
Li Hang will have to wait another year to play in front of his home crowd. The Chinese player had ‘a bad day at the office’, losing five-frames-to-nil against wildcard, David Gray, making a highest break of just 12 in the match. Gray will now take on Barry Pinches for place in the last 64.
Round two sees some mouth-watering ties, with 1991 world champion, John Parrott facing the resurgent Tony Drago.
Tom Ford, who has won his last six qualifying matches in Prestatyn faces the young Welshman, Michael White and 'The Whirlwind' Jimmy White, will be out to deny another Chinese player, Xiao Guodong, the chance of playing at home.
