John Higgins and Mark Selby both came through tough challenges at the UK Championship to reach the third round.
World number four Higgins trailed 3-2 against Noppon Saengkham, 69 places below him in the rankings, but hit back to take four of the last five frames with top breaks of 126, 52 and 66 to win 6-4. Higgins has won two titles within the past month, earning well over £300,000, and is looking to continue his hot streak here in York. He now faces Ben Woollaston or Paul Davison in the last 32.
“I dodged a bullet there, I’m just delighted to get through,” said two-time UK Champion Higgins. ““I really did think I’d be heading up the road when I went 4-3 down. A lot of these boys are not frightened of top players any more. I felt as if the luck had ran out but the luck’s still with me just now.”
World Champion Mark Selby also came through 6-4 after a long battle, beating Daniel Wells. Leicester’s Selby was 3-1 down, despite a run of 101 in the second frame, but won five of the last six frames with top runs of 102 and 61.
“It was a battle,” said Selby, who won the title here in 2012. “My focus dipped in and out. It is still the early stages of the tournament; I don’t want to peak too soon.”
In the evening match RKG Snooker sponsored Stuart Bingham was another top 16 player to fall as he went down 6-4 to China’s Yu Delu. World number two Bingham led 4-3, but Yu won the last three frames with top breaks of 66 and 70. It is one of the biggest upset of the UK Championship till now.
Liam Highfield came from 4-1 down to beat Wang Yuchen 6-5 with a top break of 125 while Luca Brecel made two breaks of 102 in a 6-5 win over Sam Craigie.
Stephen Maguire top scored with 128 in a 6-2 defeat of Zhao Xintong while Mark Williams saw off Andrew Higginson by the same scoreline.
Welshman Williams continues to suffer from a neck injury “I’m in pain or discomfort every shot I play and it’s not getting any easier at all,” he said.
Fergal O’Brien made an incredible five centuries in a 6-5 win over Barry Hawkins at the Betway UK Championship.
It’s the first time that any player has compiled five tons in a best-of-11 frame match, although Ronnie O’Sullivan once made five in a best-of-nine. World number 50 O’Brien is through to the last 32 at the York Barbican, where he will face Stephen Maguire.
O’Brien’s centuries were 101, 100, 111, 111 and a 113 in the decider. Hawkins himself made runs of 74, 59, 95, 83 and 78 in a high quality contest.
“It’s got to be up there with the best matches I’ve ever played,” said Dublin’s 44-year-old O’Brien. “It’s just great to play the way I can against a strong opponent.”
Ali Carter top scored with 80 in a 6-2 win over Robbie Williams while 2003 UK Champion Matthew Stevens won a Welsh derby against Michael White 6-4.
Michael Georgiou beat Mike Dunn by 6-4 to qualify for the third round. Dominic Dale beat Graeme Dott by 6-3. Peter lines defeated Chris Wakelin by 6-4 in a close encounter.
Jamie Jones beat Alan McManus by 6-2. Chinese player Zhou Yuelong beat inform Michael Holt convincingly by 6-1. Mitchell Man also defeated Sam Baird by 6-2 in easy encounter.