Superb Evans Defeats Hull
Reanne Evans recorded a momentous 10-8 victory over Robin Hull to reach the second round of Betfred World Championship Qualifying.
Two years ago the 11 time Women’s World Champion put in a terrific performance to push 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty in a 10-8 loss. However, the defeat of former Shoot Out winner Hull is her first ever win in World Championship qualifying.
Evans battled hard to keep in touch during the morning session amid some high scoring from the Finn, who compiled breaks of 53, 54, 56, 118 and 91. However, Evans remained undaunted by the scoring power of her counterpart and emerged just 5-4 down at the halfway point.
The evening saw frames traded between the pair, but a huge moment came in the 14th frame where Evans made a tremendous clearance of 69 to draw level at 7-7.
She played aggressively throughout the match and a run of 50 at the start of the 17th frame helped her to move 9-8 in front and just one away from round two. Evans held her nerve and secured the 10-8 victory.
“I felt really good out there and if I had lost I would have been even more gutted than my defeat to Ken Doherty,” said Evans. “I would say that’s my best win. Robin is an amazing player, a good break builder and solid. I just won the scrappy frames today and it helped me in the end.
“Winning in the way I did, I felt nervous, but I kept under control. If I can start scoring a bit heavier, you never know what could happen for the rest of the week.”
Mark King battled past world number 88 Paul Davison to progress with a 10-4 victory. The Romford potter emotionally clinched his first ever ranking title at the Northern Ireland Open and will be hoping to cap off his campaign with a first trip to the Crucible since 2013.
Tom Ford was the first man to register a win in this year’s qualifiers. He wasted little time in defeating English Amateur Champion Jamie Bodle. The Leicester potter won six frames in a row from 4-2 up to sweep to a 10-2 win.
Shoot Out runner-up Xiao Guodong ended the hopes of Welsh teenager Tyler Rees, cruising to a 10-2 victory. In the process Xiao made a 137 which was the highest break of the day.
For full results click here.
