Wattana off to a good start
[SNOOKER] Thailand's James Wattana, who lost his top 16 ranking seven years ago, made a positive start to reclaiming his place with a 5-4 victory over Jimmy Michie in the first round of the Northern Ireland Trophy at Belfast's Waterfront Hall on Monday.
Wattana, the world No 25, is up to 19th on the provisional rankings and his win over Yorkshireman Michie is certain to elevate him even higher. "I played well to force the deciding frame after Jimmy, from 3-1 down, went on to lead 4-3. It was a tough contest and it was a relief to get over the winning line," said Wattana, whose highest breaks were a 64, 61 and 59 compared with Michie's 103 in frame two. In a contest which lasted more than three hours, Wattana was heading for defeat as Michie, the conqueror of whirlwind Jimmy White in the final qualifying round, led 4-3 and 30-0 in the eighth frame. But he missed a none too difficult red, leaving Wattana to compile a break of 64 and lead by 34 points on the yellow. He potted that on his next visit to the table and Michie conceded. Michie started first in the ninth frame, but broke down on 12 and from then on Wattana held the initiative with victory assured on the blue. The Thai, who is now based in Sheffield close to world snooker's new Academy which is being officially opened by British royalty on September 13, tonight faces former world and Thailand Masters champion Ken Doherty for a place in the last 16. China's UK champion, Ding Junhui, and Main Tour debutante Tian Pengfei completed a sparkling treble for players from the Far East. Ding won the last three frames to wrap up a 5-4 victory over Welshman Paul Davies, compiling a break of 92 to force a tense 49-minute deciding frame which he won on the pink after trailing by 21 points with only a red remaining. Tian, who celebrates his 19th birthday today, defeated former world championship semi-finalist Andy Hicks 5-3, registering breaks of 50, 62 and 115. Tonight he faces the 2005 world champion, Shaun Murphy, for a place in the third round, with Ding up against Anthony Hamilton. "I played badly and I was nervous," said Ding, who won the match on a final frame blue and pink. "There's pressure on me now because I'm in the top 32. "I got very few chances in the last frame, so I just had to concentrate. I'm very relieved to have won. I must play better in my next match." And Hicks was in no doubt that China could become a significant force in snooker. "There's quite a few good players coming out of China," said the world No 31.
John Dee The Nation Belfast
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