Anthony Hamilton sets up Ronnie O’Sullivan clash after beating Stephen Maguire: 2011 Shanghai Open
The Robin Hood of Snooker, Anthony Hamilton, has set up a potential clash with Ronnie ‘The Rocket’ O’Sullivan, as he defeated the current world number 8, Stephen Maguire, by a frame score of 5-4 in a best-of-nine frame match of the 2011 Shanghai Open tournament.
It was a brilliant performance from the current world number 39, Hamilton, as he was down by 3-4 before he showed nerves of steel to register an impressive 5-4 win making two century breaks in the last two frames.
The 40-year-old Hamilton, who has been a former practice partner of O’Sullivan, knocked in a classy break of 129 to go in front at 2-1 before the Livewire, Maguire, clawed back and clinched three of the next four frames with carving breaks of 70, 73 and
50 to leave Hamilton down by one frame with two to play.
It looked as if Maguire was going to secure a place in the next round but everyone was left flabbergasted when Hamilton, who reached the final in Shanghai Open in 2002, bounced back and won the last two frames straight. Hamilton in the meanwhile also showcased
magnificent century breaks of 104 and 112 in both frames respectively.
Hamilton afterwards shared his feelings with the media. He called Stephen Maguire a machine and admitted it was a great win for him to go further on in the tournament.
“I've played great in both matches so far,” said the London-based Hamilton. “Maguire is a machine so you have to play your best to beat him. I'm always a dark horse but if I keep playing like this then anything can happen. The conditions are good this year
so I think the best players will get to the final, I'm sure no one wants to see me in it.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan, who beat James Wattana, will be Hamilton’s next opponent now. Let’s see if Hamilton can once again put a shocker on the cards, as O’Sullivan is certainly one of toughest players on the planet.
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