Champ Williams floored by Cope

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(worldsnooker.com)
Updated: 2007-03-29 15:44

Jamie Cope produced a sensational display at the Honghe Industrial 2007 World Snooker China Open to end Mark Williams' reign in Beijing.

Jiamie Cope hit a shot during Honghe Industrial 2007 World Snooker China Open and ousts Mark Williams March 28,2007.[sina.com]

The Shotgun fired in breaks of 134, 68, 72, 104 and 86 as he cruised to a 5-1 success to set up a last 16 meeting with Steve Davis or Stuart Bingham and send defending champion Williams out at the first hurdle.

Welshman Williams, whose preparation was affected by the birth of his second son Kian earlier this month, now needs a good run in the 888.com World Snooker Championship to rescue a poor season. The two-times World Champion, who beat John Higgins 9-8 in last year’s Beijing final, has slipped to tenth in the latest world rankings.

The only disappointment for Stoke’s 21-year-old Cope was his failure to convert either of two 147 chances. He missed a tricky red on 72 in frame four then a much easier penultimate red on 104 in the next.

"That’s the best game I’ve played for a long time," said the Royal London Watches Grand Prix finalist. "Whenever I was in the balls I felt like potting them, and that’s what I did. If I keep playing like that I can beat anyone, so maybe I could be the champion.

"Mark looked to be playing ok when he was in the balls but I didn’t give him many chances. I didn’t expect it to be easy but it was in the end because I played very well.

"I make a lot of 147s in practice so I always go for them when I have a chance, it’s a shame I couldn’t make one this time."

Williams said: "That’s one of the best performances I’ve ever seen against me. He hardly missed a ball and I didn’t get much of a look-in."

Asked whether he would go to see the Great Wall before flying back to the UK, he added: "Maybe - if I do I might throw myself off it."

Cope will now play Stuart Bingham who edged past Steve Davis 5-4 after an exciting finish.

Six-times World Champion Davis came from 4-2 down to 4-4 then the deciding frame went down to the last few balls.

Bingham, who made the top break of the match with a 75 in the first frame, gained the advantage when he forced a snooker on the brown then potted it to go 18 points ahead.

A safety battle on the blue followed but Bingham eventually thumped in an excellent long pot for victory.

Shaun Murphy beat China's Mei Xiwen 5-1 with top runs of 67, 58 and 54. He now faces Stephen Maguire, who saw off Mark King 5-3 with 77, 102 and 86.

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