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Ssb - the final four
Well it just gets better and better for Stephen Lee, who today contests his fourth world ranking event semi-final from the last five tournaments.
That silky smooth cue action everyone raves about was again in evidence yesterday as he made two successive centuries to hit back from 2-0 down to Judd Trump and level at 2-2.
Tension came into the match thereafter and mistakes were made, but Lee eventually finished off his 5-3 win with a 96.
His turnaround in fortunes is remarkable and he has been the best player of 2012 thus far. Lee didn't forget how to play snooker. All he needed were more opportunities and confidence, both of which he now has in great abundance.
Stephen Maguire pulled off the narrowest possible victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan, 5-4 on a re-spotted black, which he fluked by missing the double and landing the treble.
O'Sullivan took it better than most but must have been disappointed to have missed his own golden chance to win the match, when he lost ideal position from blue to last red and failed to pot it.
Ding Junhui, to the delight of course of his home fans, reached the semi-finals with a 5-2 win over Ali Carter.
Ding turns 25 tomorrow. A second China Open title would be an ideal way to celebrate but he first has to contend with the brutally methodical Peter Ebdon, whose powers of focus and determination were in full display during his 5-3 win over Neil Robertson.
This was not a pretty match to watch. Robertson failed to make the most of his chances and Ebdon gradually wore him down.
The game's hard men deserve special recognition. Top level sport is supposed to be about driving yourself on, pushing your barriers, bettering yourself and achieving excellence. It's about refusing to give up.
So even though Ebdon's playing style may not be to everyone's taste he should at least receive credit for the immense effort he puts in.
Consider his last three victims: Matthew Stevens, John Higgins and Neil Robertson.
Not a bad hat-trick of wins.
More...
That silky smooth cue action everyone raves about was again in evidence yesterday as he made two successive centuries to hit back from 2-0 down to Judd Trump and level at 2-2.
Tension came into the match thereafter and mistakes were made, but Lee eventually finished off his 5-3 win with a 96.
His turnaround in fortunes is remarkable and he has been the best player of 2012 thus far. Lee didn't forget how to play snooker. All he needed were more opportunities and confidence, both of which he now has in great abundance.
Stephen Maguire pulled off the narrowest possible victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan, 5-4 on a re-spotted black, which he fluked by missing the double and landing the treble.
O'Sullivan took it better than most but must have been disappointed to have missed his own golden chance to win the match, when he lost ideal position from blue to last red and failed to pot it.
Ding Junhui, to the delight of course of his home fans, reached the semi-finals with a 5-2 win over Ali Carter.
Ding turns 25 tomorrow. A second China Open title would be an ideal way to celebrate but he first has to contend with the brutally methodical Peter Ebdon, whose powers of focus and determination were in full display during his 5-3 win over Neil Robertson.
This was not a pretty match to watch. Robertson failed to make the most of his chances and Ebdon gradually wore him down.
The game's hard men deserve special recognition. Top level sport is supposed to be about driving yourself on, pushing your barriers, bettering yourself and achieving excellence. It's about refusing to give up.
So even though Ebdon's playing style may not be to everyone's taste he should at least receive credit for the immense effort he puts in.
Consider his last three victims: Matthew Stevens, John Higgins and Neil Robertson.
Not a bad hat-trick of wins.
More...