World number one Mark Williams was eliminated from the Regal Scottish Open by out-of-form Joe Swail on a day of shocks in Edinburgh.
 Williams was not too upset by his defeat |
Swail's 5-3 win gave him his first back-to-back ranking-event match wins all season - a run of form that has seen him drop to 26 in the provisional rankings. The Belfast-born player made three big clearances, including a superb 57 in the final frame.
"I surprised myself how I held myself together," said Swail.
"You're under so much pressure because you're not used to winning games.
"It shows I can still play. It's all down to hard work and not giving up."
Swail knocked in an outrageous black to steal frame six for a 4-2 advantage and cleared up with a 52 in frame five with Williams failing to capitalise on his openings.
But the Welshman was content with his display in an event which he admitted was not top of his priorities.
"I felt I was unlucky not to win," he said.
"Obviously you want to win every tournament. But if I'm being honest, this event isn't top of the agenda with Sheffield just around the corner."
Scotland's John Higgins recovered from an uncharacteristically sloppy performance to defeat Jimmy White 5-2.
Higgins - with a highest break of just 59 - confessed that his mind was on his beloved Celtic's Uefa Cup semi-final game against Boavista.
"My focus just wasn't there because I was thinking more about the football," admitted Higgins. David Gray also made the quarter-finals with a 5-4 win over home favourite Stephen Hendry.
Hendry conceded the deciding frame with four reds remaining, but his chance of victory slipped away two frames earlier when he missed the final yellow clearing up for a 5-2 victory.
"I took it for granted and took my eye off the ball," said Hendry.
"All credit to David though, he never gave up."
Hendry dominated the match, but was unable to put find the finishing touches.
"It's a miracle I won that match," said Gray. "In the first six frames Stephen must have potted three times as many balls as I did.
"I couldn't believe the amount of chances I was getting at the end of frames."
 Alan McManus was in sparkling form |
Alan McManus handed in-form Ronnie O'Sullivan a 5-1 thrashing in another surprise result. O'Sullivan had won back-to-back titles at the European Open and Irish Masters before heading to Edinburgh.
Such was McManus' dominance, only a brave 85 clearance from O'Sullivan in the fifth frame prevented a whitewash.
"I just tried to relax, and you can do that against Ronnie," said McManus. "He had an off day and missed balls you wouldn't expect."
"I just tried to be patient."
O'Sullivan was in upbeat mood despite the loss.
"I know the result didn't go my way but I'm not too disappointed.
"I'll chill out for a couple of days before getting back down to work for the World Championships." Mark Selby continued his good form, beating Matthew Stevens 5-2.
Selby said: "It brings back memories of last season.
"I'm more or less guaranteed the top 32 which was my aim at the start of the season."
Ireland's Ken Doherty gained revenge for his defeat by Quinten Hann in last season's Scottish Open courtesy of a 5-3 victory in a bad-tempered affair.
Hann was guilty of banging his hand on the table several times in frustration.
"Quinten isn't a bad lad but his table manners leave a lot to be desired," chided Doherty.
MMIX
Email this to a friend 
Printable version 
