IBSF World Snooker Championship 2009

News & Updates

REPORT OF 23.11.2009

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It was yet another exciting day at the ONGC-IBSF World Snooker Championship 2009 being held in Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad.

The crowd gathering here in large numbers were treated to some exquisite snooker on day nine the championships with the tournament favourite Alfie Burden securing a convincing 6 frames to 1 victory over Anthony McGill of Scotland. Alfie laid his intentions very clear racing away to a 4-0 lead and never looked back from thereon. McGill showed signs of a comeback in the fifth frame with a beautifully crafted break of 70 to reduce the deficit to 3 frames.

However, seasoned campaigner and south paw, Alfie Burden remained stoic and secured the next two consecutive frames with great panache and stroke play aided by a well constructed 79 break in the last frame of the match.

The only Indian hope, which rested on the shoulders of Kamal Chawla, was crashed under the ‘weighty’ performance of Brazilian super star Igor Fiogueiredo who demolished his opponent 6 frames to 1.

Igor who hails from Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro had taken to 15 Red Snooker only six months back and has now become the first player ever to reach the last four stage of the coveted IBSF World Snooker championship.

This near ‘jaw dropping’ feat speaks volumes about Igor’s determination and never ending passion for the sport which is followed by millions in his country.

The highlight of the day however, was Yu Delu of China who scripted an indelible chapter in his life beating Fung Kwok Wai of Hong Kong after having trail 1-4 at the mid-session interval.

Yu Delu’s fairytale victory was aided by an exceptional contribution of a break of 103 in the 10^th frame of the match to level the scores at 5 frames each. In the final frame, Fung Kwok Wai of Hong Kong, who was understandably under tremendous pressure due to Yu Delu’s comeback, could never gather his bearings much against his opponent’s ‘excruciating’ combination of aggression and tactical play.

The semi final line-up for the men’s section:

Igor Figueiredo (Brazil) V/s Yu Delu (China)

Alfie Burden (England) V/s Philip Williams (Wales)

Australian Open Snooker (Women) Champion Kathy Parashis of Australia inched closer to her dream of winning IBSF World Snooker (Women) Championship, when she defeated Bi Zhuqing of China in the semi finals in the decider by 4 frames to 3. She would be facing Ng On Yee of Hong Kong, who would also be making her debut appearance in the ladies final, as she defeated Ramona Belmont of New Zealand in the decider after having trailed 2 frames to 3.

In the master’s segment Costas Konnaris of Cyprus who pulled off an upset victory over Geet Sethi of India yesterday could not hold his nerve against defending champion Dene O’ Kane of New Zealand losing the battle by 1 frame to 5.

Championship favourite and former main tour player Darren Morgan of Wales white-washed his opponent Simon Zammit of Malta by 5 frames to 0.