James Wattana edges Justin Astley in qualifiers round 1 of China Open 2011 – Snooker news
James Wattana has beaten Justin Astley in the qualifying round 1 of the China Open 2011 with a frame score of 5-2 in a best-of-nine frame match.
Astley lost in the qualifiers round 2 of the World Open 2010 but this time he has succumbed to the experienced Thai in the round 1.
The overall score line between the two was 57-47, 118-8, 43-62, 99-0, 70-19, 31-67, and 67-44.
In the first frame Astley got a chance first but was forced to play safe after he did only 1 whereas Wattana broke at 14 afterwards. This time Astley responded with 23 followed by another 17 later on but the points were not enough to clinch the frame. Many
chances were seen coming and going when finally Wattana got a chance again to roll in final 25 to have the opening frame 1-0.
Second frame was much better as compared to the first one. Although a few chances were exchanged yet it was again dominated by Wattana with breaks of 36 and 69 this time going even ahead by 2-0.
Astley also bounced back in the third and with breaks of 13 and 42 pocketed a much-needed break to trail Wattana by 2-1.
However, the confidence of Astley was shattered badly in the next one as it got over within a blink of an eye. James Wattana gave him no chance and made a carving break of 99 to maintain his lead once again by two frames 3-1.
Similarly, he also won the following frame with a small dominant break of 41. Chances were given to Astley but he could only pot 15 in the whole frame. Wattana was now looking only for one frame to be in round 2.
Astley managed getting the sixth one for him although no reasonable breaks were made but a couple of quick fires 27 and 25 worked for him to make the scores 4-2.
Justin Astley tried his best in the next one too but the matters were finished off when after a long battle Wattana was able to have it again.
With the scores 5-2 James Wattana has now reached round 2 of the qualifiers where he will face Stuart Pettman.
James Wattana in the China Open 2010 had cleared the qualifying rounds before he lost to Mark King in the last 32. This time he is looking more determined and if he clears the round 2, he will be up against one of the snooker greats Steve Davis.
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