Indian Open snooker: Two former world champions eliminated before quarters

MUMBAI: Two former world champions - second seed Judd Trump and sixth seed John Higgins - were knocked out while giant-killing qualifier Thepchaiya Un-Nooh again came through with flying colours to enter the quarterfinals of the Indian Open Snooker Championship here on Friday.

In the last pre quarterfinal, fifth seed Joe Perry survived a tough battle against exciting young English compatriot Kyren Wilson to squeak through 4-3 into the last eight.

Trump, the world number six and 2011 world champion who played in the tournament with a shoulder injury, put up a great fight before going down 3-4 to eighth-seeded Welsh rival Mark Williams.

In another pre quarterfinal match of note, third seed Ricky Walden of England, conqueror of India's Aditya Mehta in round two, swamped China's Tian Pengfei in ruthless manner - winning 4-0 in a canter.

Un-Nooh, who had already booked his flight for home and now has to change his travel plans after his stupendous run here, ousted Jamie James of Wales 4-1.

The unassuming left-handed Thai cueist dropped the opening frame 17-63 but then bounced back in superb fashion to win the next three by stringing up two half century breaks before applying the finishing touches with another glorious break of 123 in the deciding frame.

It's the Thai world no. 61's second century break in the tournament after his brilliant 137, the second best of the tournament so far, in the second round clash against Luca Brecel of Belgium.

"I was booked to go back tonight, but have changed my plans. I am very happy to have achieved my best-ever run in a top level snooker tournament. I had done well in an Asian Tour event but not in a world ranking tournament like this," said Thepchaiya.

Asked about his success mantra here, Thepchiaya said, "Concentration. I am concentrating to win the match."

Higgins, the four-time world champion from Scotland who came into the tournament by clinching the Welsh Open title, slumped to his sixth straight loss against England's Mark Davis, world no. 18 and two-time world 6-red champion,

It was the seventh loss in nine meetings against Davis for Higgins who previously beat his English rival three years ago. Three half century breaks of 72, 87 and 66 by Davis - ranked 10th in the tournament ended the hopes of the 'Wizard of Wishaw', the world no. 12.

Others to progress into the quarters were Robert Milkins of England, world no. 16 and the seventh seed, Michael White of Wales, who ended the Chinese challenge by knocking out Li Hang 4-2, and Chris Wakelin of England.

Milkins ousted Graeme Dott of Scotland 4-2 and Wakelin defeated compatriot Nigel Bond 4-1.

The quarterfinal line-up: Un-Nooh vs Davis; Perry vs Walden; Williams vs Milkins; White vs Wakelin.

Results (Pre-quarterfinals): Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Thailand) bt Jamie Jones (Wales) 4-1: 17-63 73 (55)-10 69-58, 79 (51)-01 123 (123)-04; Mark Davis (England) bt John Higgins (Scotland) 4-0: 77 (72)-04 87 (87)-01 62-32,66 (66)-01; Ricky Walden (England) bt Tian Pengfei (China) 4-0: 64-17 65-12 53-40 75 (75)-20; Joe Perry (England) bt Kyren Wilson (England) 4-3 (81-40 15-63 (62) 42-71 63 (55)-61 78-0 25-55 79 (55)-0; Mark Williams (Wales) bt Judd Trump (England) 4-3: 92 (68)-23 20-112 (104) 108 (108)-04 04-73 (55) 01-67 (67) 59-25 70 (63)-21; Robert Milkins (England) bt Graeme Dott (Scotland) 4-2: 24-81 (69) 67 (60)-06 63-24 73 (68)-06 05-76 79-07; Michael White (Wales) bt Li Hang (China) 4-2: 94 (94)-00 08-102 (50) 118 (109)-08 36-89 89 (62)-23 77 (77)-00; Chris Wakelin (England) bt Nigel Bond (England) 4-1: 70(50)-52 73-48 96 (96)-00 24-69 (69) 68-56 (55).
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