SNOOKER'S Player of the Year, Stephen Hendry, and best newcomer Alan
McManus will fight it out today in an all-Scottish semi-final in the
#400,000 Rothmans Grand Prix at Reading.
McManus, a 5-1 winner over Watford's Ian Graham last night, has lost
his two previous meetings with Hendry, including a semi-final just under
a year ago in the Stormseal UK event.
The 20-year-old from Glasgow swung the match against Graham in his
favour by coming from 54-22 behind to win the fourth frame with a 37
clearance.
Hendry, the holder, earlier had made it 12 wins in 12 matches against
Welshman Terry Griffiths, by the same scoreline.
The world No.1 scraped through his first match 5-4, but has now
dropped only three frames in his past three ties -- and has compiled a
break of at least 30 in his past 18 frames. Hendry came from 47-24 down
to win the first frame with a 36 clearance to the blue, lost the second
from 47-1 up, and had breaks of 42, 94, and 63 in taking the next four
frames.
''I am probably playing my best snooker since I went 36 matches
unbeaten in world-ranking tournaments last year,'' said Hendry.
Nigel Bond, beaten 10-5 in last year's final, reached the last four by
beating Joe Johnson 5-3. Bond went 3-0 up but Johnson snatched the
fourth frame with a 69 clearance to the pink. Despite losing the next
frame, he hit back with breaks of 60 and 99 and threatened to take the
match to a deciding frame until Bond sunk an excellent black to clinch
victory.
Dave Finbow's giant-killing run came to an abrupt end as he was
whitewashed 5-0 by world No.2 Steve Davis, seeking his fourth Grand Prix
title.
The 23-year-old rookie professional from Worcester, who had survived
10 rounds to reach the last eight, was never in the hunt after having
missed an easy black when set to win the second frame.
Davis, perhaps showing his best form since winning the Grand Prix two
years ago -- his last world-ranking tournament success -- compiled
breaks of 39, 64, 69, 50 and 51 to book a semi-final meeting over 17
frames today with Bond.
HAMILTON youngster Jamie Burnett meets Irvine rival Scott Bigham this
morning in a semi-final of the Scottish junior ranking championship
(Series One) at the Masters club, Craigpark, Glasgow. In the other tie
Graeme Dott (Glasgow) plays Paisley's Mark McFadden. The final will be
at the same venue at 3pm.
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