China’s Jin Long ends Sam Baird’s hopes to enter Last 32 of 2012 Haiku World Open
England’s Sam Baird was aiming to face the 2012 Welsh Open Champion, China’s Ding Junhui but Jin Long ended his hopes after he ousted him by 5-3 in the wild card round at Haiku Stadium on Hainan Island.
All wild card matches were scheduled to be commenced on the first day of the 2012 Haiku World Open. There were six Chinese potters lined up in the wild card round including Jin Long, Lu Ning, Zhou Yuelong, Lu Haotian and Zhu Yinghui. Baird and Long were
set up in the first wild card round match where Long dominated brilliantly over Baird with 5-3 score line.
The odds of the match were stacked against Long and everybody was expecting Baird to move forward into the Last-32. Even the 23-year-old Baird was so confident to play Junhui in his opening clash but Long made a superb run in the clash and Baird had to face
a major upset. Baird had his chances during the contest but was not able to capitalise as Long cruised into a marvellous victory.
Long opened up brilliantly and breezed into a 3-0 early lead which put Baird under immense pressure. The Chinese pocketed two cracking clearances of 50 and 60 to nudge his opponent three frames down in no time. The Englishman pulled one frame to move 3-1
but Long made it 4-1 winning the fifth frame.
After that, Baird showed his class and fired two superb breaks of 73 and 56 to move within two frames up at 4-3. The eighth frame proved to be the last of the match as it seemed a piece of cake for Long who stole it to ensure his victory by 5-3.
“I think I adapted to the match faster than my opponent, my form came earlier on so I could lead 3-1 at the interval,” said Long to the World Snooker after claiming the victory. “He played much better but it was hard for him to catch up with me.”
The 30-year-old added, “If the score went to 4-4 in the eighth frame, it would be hard to say who would win in the end. I will try my best in the match with Ding, I just need to do what I can.”
Long had his chances early in the season but failed to improve his ranks. However, he has got another chance now and must avail it to lock his professional place in the upcoming snooker events.
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