BBC SPORT | SNOOKER | Hunter wins thriller

By the BBC's Clive Jones at Wembley

Defending champion Paul Hunter rallied to win the last two frames and clinch a 6-5 quarter-final win over Peter Ebdon at the Benson & Hedges Masters.

Hunter had the better of the early exchanges as breaks of 54 and 105 gave him a 3-1 interval lead.

Even when I was 3-1 up, I knew he would come back

Paul Hunter

But Ebdon bounced back to level matters after some tight exchanges before moving into a 5-4 lead with the help of a 76 break in the eighth frame.

Hunter responded with a 55 to take it into the decider then held his nerve to clinch victory with an 80.

The champion knew beforehand he would be in for a tough match.

"Even when I was 3-1 up, I knew he would come back," said Hunter.

"I felt comfortable when I got amongst the balls, but it is so difficult playing against him."

Hunter now takes on Alan McManus for a place in the final and

"Alan didn't play well today, but it will be a different match on Saturday," said Hunter.

Live coverage of B&H Masters snooker on BBC TV and Ceefax page 350.


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