Welsh Open News - Day Six
THE OUTLAW AIMS TO SHOOT DOWN THE CAPTAIN
Joe Swail and Allister Carter will contest the Welsh Open Final on Sunday and that means a new name on the Trophy.
Joe Swail let out a whoop of delight as he sank the blue to secure a 6-4 win over Neil Robertson, and booked his place in a ranking event final for the first time, after fourteen years of trying.
He will face Allister Carter, also bidding to win his first ranking event title, who overcame Anthony Hamilton with a thrilling 6 -5 win.
Anthony Hamilton looked as if he was going to spoil Carter's day when he flew into a 3-0, lead, making breaks of 77 and 85 in the first two frame.
Carter responded with 51 and then raised his game to compile a superb 141 total clearance, just one short of the high break target, held by Marco Fu.
The 'Captain' snatched the next on the colours to level the match and then moved 5-3 ahead, helped by a 77 break.
This time it was Hamilton to rallied, rattling in 116, and following that with a 64 clearance after Carter opened with 53.
The decider was all Carter. His opening 58 break was too big a margin for Hamilton to peg back.
Joe Swail left Robertson shell-shocked as he opened a 4-0 lead, with runs of 59, 55 and 98.
Robertson declared "I can't play any worse than that" as he came into the media centre during the interval.
An 82 break started the Aussie's fightback, although he was soon four behind again as Swail made 59.
Breaks of 94, 93 and a colours win helped Robertson to close the gap to 5-4 and Swail was looking a bit shaky.
Robertson opened the tenth frame with 39, but broke down and Swail added a gritty 37 to lead 61-40 on the blue.
Swail escaped from one snooker and eventually sank the blue to put the match beyond doubt, letting out a yell of delight as he jumped in the air.
Joe's brother hugged him in delight after the match and more family will be making hasty travel arrangements to get from Belfast to Newport in time for the final.
Play in the final commences at 13.30GMT on Sunday with the first 8 frames and the final session is at 19.00GMT.
