Greene sinks Davis in Belfast
Local favourite Gerard Greene dumped six-time world champion Steve Davis out of the Northern Ireland Trophy this afternoon.
His country’s last hope of honours at the Waterfront Hall, Greene, whose parents live in Belfast, defeated Davis 5-2 in their second round best-of-nine frame showdown.
The Ulsterman started in fine fashion, pocketing a 62 break before ’The Nugget’ stole a scrappy second frame to level matters.
Breaks of 75 and 48 helped Greene establish a 3-1 interval lead, before winning the first frame after the restart to go 4-1 ahead.
Davis, a beaten finalist in last season’s UK Championship in York, reduced his arrears to 4-2 thanks to a break of 52, but it was Greene who made sure of victory by winning the seventh and deciding frame.
“It’s about time that I beat Steve,” said Greene, who was beaten 10-9 by Davis at the World Championship in Sheffield two seasons ago.
“That win doesn’t make up for the Crucible defeat, but I was happy with the way I played. If I’d have beaten him 10-0, then that would have made up for losing to him in Sheffield.”
Spurred on by his watching family, including his father Gerard, uncles and aunties, Greene admitted the home support has been a big help.
“It’s nice to have a few people supporting me out there, especially my family,” added Greene, who now plays Welshman Dominic Dale in the last 16.
“Dominic’s playing well, so it should be a good match. I beat him 5-0 a couple of years ago and I normally do well against him.
“It’s nice that I’m the last local player here. It would be great if I could get into the quarter-finals, and then even the final.”
Defending UK champion Ding Junhui is also through to the last 16 after he defeated Nottingham potter Anthony Hamilton 5-3.
Chinese wonderkid Junhui led 2-0 with a high break of 76 in the first frame, before Hamilton, a semi-finalist in last season’s Welsh Open, hit back to edge 3-2 ahead with runs of 101 and 69.
But back came Junhui with breaks of 75 and 69 to re-establish his lead, before pinching a tactical eighth frame for the match. He now plays John Higgins, last season’s Masters and Grand Prix champion.
Hamilton, who admitted he hadn’t much practice before the start of the new season, was upbeat despite defeat.
“I can’t bee too disappointed with the way I played. He played some beautiful snooker,” said Hamilton.
“I’ll play worse than that and win matches this season.”
Aussie ace Neil Robertson is into the last 16 after the beat Derbyshire’s Nigel Bond 5-3 thanks to breaks of 111 and 79. Bond, who won the opening frame, could only muster a high break of 45.
