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Page last updated at 10:13 GMT, Wednesday, 22 April 2009 11:13 UK

Bond confident after opening win

Nigel Bond
Bond is currently ranked number 23 in the world

Nigel Bond says he has no reason to fear anyone after beating ex-champion Peter Ebdon to make it through to the second round of the World Championship.

The 1995 finalist, 43, won just his third match of the season to see off the 2002 champion 10-5 at the Crucible.

And the Derbyshire potter has backed himself for his second-round match against either Stephen Lee or Ryan Day.

"I feel that if I produce the stuff I'm capable of, I'm capable of doing some damage and beating anyone," he said.

"I don't really mind who gets through I'm happy to just still be there, punching away. I look forward to a best of 25, which I haven't played since 2006 when I beat Stephen Hendry."

Bond, in his 15th Crucible appearance, eventually won a tight first frame and took his lead to 3-1 with fine breaks of 74 and 79.

A break of 65 saw Ebdon win the fifth frame but Bond crucially took two of the last three frames to gain a 5-3 lead going into the evening session.

Ebdon battled back to draw level before Bond rattled off five frames in a row to advance to the second round.

606: DEBATE

Rated at 500-1 to win the tournament prior to Tuesday's win, Bond's odds have come down to 150-1 as he looks to go one better than his appearance in the final 14 years ago when he lost to Stephen Hendry.

But Bond says he is focused on his performance and not concerned with being labelled the underdog.

"I don't really look at the odds to be honest, I never looked at the betting for the match," he added.

"I wanted to finish the season on a high, and Peter was obviously favourite after winning the ranking event in China.

"So in that respect I suppose I didn't really have anything to lose."



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see also
Ebdon beaten by Bond at Crucible
21 Apr 09 |  Snooker
Bond relishes return to Crucible
20 Apr 09 |  Snooker
Battling Bond books Crucible spot
09 Mar 09 |  Snooker


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