England’s Stephen Lee prevails against Neil Robertson in Round 2 of 2012 World Open
Both Stephen Lee and Australia’s Neil Robertson put up an excellent snooker show in their second round clash of 2012 World Open snooker event at the Haikou Stadium arena in Hainan, China.
The match-up was a marvellous exhibition of brilliant snooker skills from both potters. Five century breaks were pocketed in seven frames by both cuemen. However, Lee finally prevailed by the score line of 5-2 after putting up an outstanding performance
at the baize.
Lee spoke to the World Snooker after his match, “Playing each week has made the difference because if you do play bad you can put it right the following week. I'm playing a lot more, competing better and there's a high standard of snooker week in and week
out.”
The Englishman added, “On that performance I think I can win it. I felt good, scored well, played good safety, and my long pots are good. Anything can happen and I'm playing as well as most.”
Robertson, on the other hand, said, “Five centuries in seven frames was some scoring. If I want to be ultra critical and hard on myself, perhaps he didn't have to make a long pot to get in but his safety was fantastic.”
The Thunder from Down Under, Robertson, drew the first blood with a superb 106-point clearance to grab early lead in the match by 1-0. The Wiltshire potter, Lee pulled level at 1-1 firing a couple of decent small breaks in second set.
Before Robertson could add another frame win, Lee took the lead 3-1 after clinching back-to-back frames after potting two sensational breaks of 138 and 109 at the end of first session.
The second session started with Lee winning the fifth set to move within one frame up at 4-1. The 30-year-old Robertson bounced back into the game with a classy 136-point break and added another frame on his side of the scoreboard. The seventh frame finished
in favour of Lee after he rattled his third century break of 120 points to clear the table.
Lee has set up quarter-final match up against the former World Snooker Championship finalist, Scotland’s Graeme Dott. Dott defeated compatriot Marcus Campbell by 5-3 in the second round to surge into the quarters.
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