Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
watch listenBBC SportBBC Sport
Low graphics|Help
---------------
CHOOSE A SPORT
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Thursday, 1 December 2005, 19:44 GMT
Lincou through after dramatic win
Gregory Gaultier (left) and Thierry Lincou tangle in Hong Kong
Defending champion Thierry Lincou won an epic match with fellow Frenchman Gregory Gaultier to reach the last eight of the World Open Championships.

The top seed completed a 7-11 11-9 8-11 11-4 11-8 victory even though he was close to collapse in the fifth game.

Gaultier had kept the Hong Kong crowd on the edge of their seats with some thrilling shots and his theatricals.

English sixth seed Peter Nicol also reached the last eight along with Canada's second seed Jonathon Power.

It's also difficult not to laugh and to stay in the game
World champion Thierry Lincou

Nicol easily beat Pakistan's Shahid Zaman 11-6 11-8 11-5 while Power dispatched Australia's Stewart Boswell 11-8 5-11 11-5 11-9.

The match of the day, though, involved Lincou and Gaultier, who disputed calls with the referee and repeatedly fell over.

Despite the entertainment value, Lincou admitted it was difficult to stay focused.

"It's hard to really concentrate on the game when he's talking and arguing," said the top seed.

"It's also difficult not to laugh and to stay in the game."

Defending women's champion Vanessa Atkinson also reached the quarter-finals.

The Dutchwoman beat French number one Isabelle Stoehr 9-5 9-10 9-2 9-2.

She will now play England's Vicky Botwright in a repeat of Sunday's Qatar Classic final.




SEE ALSO


RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


E-mail services | Sport on mobiles/PDAs

MMIX

Back to top

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability sport | Olympics 2012 | Sport Relief | Other sport...

BBC Sport Academy >> | BBC News >> | BBC Weather >>
About the BBC | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | Contact us
bannerwatch listenbbc sport