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Like the police in Casablanca, Newport has rounded up the usual suspects with four world class players contesting the semi-finals of the Wyldecrest Park Homes Welsh Open.
John Higgins continues to justify his status as world no.1 after coming through a tricky tie with Matthew Stevens last night with a trademark classy finish.
Higgins hasn't actually lost a ranking event match since Steve Davis beat him in the World Championship last year. His first ambition on returning from suspension was to win a tournament - which he did immediately - and then to return to top spot.
But Ali carter clearly likes Newport. In the last four years he's been in two quarter-finals, then won the title and then finished runner-up to Higgins.
Last night in his match we saw the way intervals - hitherto missing this week - can affect a contest.
Carter was a little unlucky as his 2-0 lead over Ding Junui was cancelled out and frustration would have been understandable but Terry Griffiths had a calming word with him at the break and he came out and played great stuff for the rest of the match.
Mark Selby laboured before putting away Graeme Dott in a poor match by their high standards. Stephen Maguire upped his game at the right time to beat the in-form Mark Williams.
Maguire has had a bit of a psychological barrier at the semi-final stage of major tournaments of late but has every reason to believe he can do the job tonight.
Much will depend on whether Selby takes the match to him or once again tries to slug it out.
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John Higgins continues to justify his status as world no.1 after coming through a tricky tie with Matthew Stevens last night with a trademark classy finish.
Higgins hasn't actually lost a ranking event match since Steve Davis beat him in the World Championship last year. His first ambition on returning from suspension was to win a tournament - which he did immediately - and then to return to top spot.
But Ali carter clearly likes Newport. In the last four years he's been in two quarter-finals, then won the title and then finished runner-up to Higgins.
Last night in his match we saw the way intervals - hitherto missing this week - can affect a contest.
Carter was a little unlucky as his 2-0 lead over Ding Junui was cancelled out and frustration would have been understandable but Terry Griffiths had a calming word with him at the break and he came out and played great stuff for the rest of the match.
Mark Selby laboured before putting away Graeme Dott in a poor match by their high standards. Stephen Maguire upped his game at the right time to beat the in-form Mark Williams.
Maguire has had a bit of a psychological barrier at the semi-final stage of major tournaments of late but has every reason to believe he can do the job tonight.
Much will depend on whether Selby takes the match to him or once again tries to slug it out.
More...
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