Ebdon takes control
Former World Champion Peter Ebdon has opened up a healthy 8-1 lead after the first session of his best-of-19 first-round clash with controversial Australian Quinten Hann.
The 2002 Crucible winner rattled in five half-century breaks in the opening five frames to leave Hann shell-shocked.
And it got even better for the world number eight from Wellingborough, as he took the next frame with a 20 clearance and frame seven with a 33 finish.
A 28 clearance after two good chances to win the frame sealed frame eight, but Hann hit back to spare his blushes.
Ebdon, who defeated seven-times winner Stephen Hendry 18-17 in the final three years ago, resumes his match with the man from Down Under at 7pm tonight, requiring only two frames for a place in the last 16.
At one stage it looked as though Ebdon was going to lead the session 9-0, but a 17 clearance from Hann in a scrappy final frame of the afternoon saw him reduce the deficit.
If Ebdon had gone on to win 10-0 he would have completed the first Crucible whitewash for 13 years.
John Parrott was the last player to achieve a World Championship whitewash, against an when he beat the late Eddie Charlton 10-0.
Victory for Ebdon would see him earn a showdown with either Maltese star Tony Drago or Stephen Lee, the world number nine from Wiltshire.
They start their match this afternoon and play to a finish tomorrow.
Hann, who is due in court on May 5 to answer two sexual assault charges, and one of Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), was never in contention.
His best efforts were a break of 30 in the seventh frame and a 32 run in frame nine.
| Related Stories: |
|
