England’s Michael Holt barely wins against China’s Zhu Yinghui in 2012 Haiku World Open
England’s Michael Holt faced a strong resistance from the Chinese youngster Zhu Yinghui and barely managed to clinch the wild card win by the score line of 5-4 in 2012 Haiku World Open at the Haiku Stadium in Hainan Island.
The spectators present at the Haiku Stadium did see young Chinese potters making some major upsets in their encounters and the experienced English potters had to put all of their efforts to snatch their victories. Holt was stuck in the same situation as
the 17-year-old Yinghui completely held him under his pressure and was at the brink to nudge him down for good but Holt’s fight back saved him.
The young Chinese potter proved his talent at the arena and throttled his opponent with his impressive snooker skills. Holt had to play beyond his normal game to overcome his certain defeat. He fired three superb century breaks of 101, 101 and 135 during
his campaign to come 5-4 up. Yinghui, on the other hand, did trouble his veteran foe with some noticeable knocks in both sessions.
The first session of the match was a topsy-turvy affair as both potters went neck and neck until they reached 3-3 level. The seventh frame, in the second session, was dominated by Yinghui and he was about to claim the frame victory before he missed a crucial
red to let Holt come at the table. The 33-year-old Holt took advantage of the situation and won the frame easily.
The youngster did not let it go easily and bounced back in the eighth set to pull level at 4-4 after pocketing a fine clearance of 69 and drag the match into the deciding set. The last frame finished in Holt’s favour and he was able to breeze into the televised
stages of the 2012 Haiku World Open.
Speaking to the World Snooker after winning his match, Holt said, “He played well and didn't do much wrong. He should have won really as he missed that black to go 4-3. I was a bit lucky even though I made some good breaks.”
The Hitman will next meet the 2011 Australian Goldfields Open winner, compatriot Stuart Bingham in the first round of the tournament.
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