James Wattana throws Stuart Pettman out in Qualifying Round 2 of China Open 2011 – Snooker news
The Thai-Poon, James Wattana has outplayed Stuart Pettman in the qualifiers round 2 of the China Open 2011 by a frame score of 5-2 in a best-of-nine frame match.
Wattana previously in round 1 had beaten Justin Astley with the same frame score.
The overall score-line between the players was 78-56, 136-0, 36-76, 25-65, 21-65, 17-84, and 35-65.
Stuart Pettman, the man who has been knocked out, has qualified for the world championship three times before in 2003, 2004, and 2010. He also beat former world champion Shaun Murphy in the qualifying rounds of the World Championship 2005.
The first frame was a scrappy affair. Stuart managed to make a break of 56 which was responded by 38 from Wattana before they had a bout of safety. Finally, it was Stuart who came on top of the safety to take the opening frame 1-0.
The second frame was over within a blink of an eye as Stuart Pettman produced a mind boggling second-highest break of 136 going even ahead by 2-0.
After this magnificent peace of play, it was looking as if Stuart is going to make it to the round three before James Wattana turned the tables on him. Stuart Pettman with a 2-0 lead was not able to pocket any frame afterwards.
In frame three Pettman got a good chance in middle of the frame but he broke at 35 and after they exchanged a few safeties Wattana dominated the frame with a break of 70 to come within one frame 2-1. The following frame was also won by the Thai player with
a dominant break of 57 and things were levelled up at 2-2.
The fifth frame was again cagey. Both players had their chances but Pettman again failed to capitalise any given chances until a couple of quick fires, 27 and 31 from Wattana wrapped it up 3-2.
Similarly in the sixth Wattana had a lead of 20 points before Pettman was given with a good chance but he brought his opponent back on the table soon. Wattana at his next visit compiled a classy break of 64 to have the frame 4-2.
Wattana, who was now looking only for one frame, sealed his victory by taking the seventh as well with a break of 47 and finished with 5-2.
James Wattana, who was trailing Stuart Pettman by 2-0, won all five frames in a row to reach in the round 3 where he will now face six-time world champion, Steve Davis.
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