SHAUN GREATBATCH 1 v MARTIN PHILLIPS 3

Proud Welshman Martin Phillips swept into the second round, ruthlessly despatching 13^th seed Shaun Greatbatch.

 It was a clinical performance from left-hander Phillips who hit three 180s, 12 and 13 darters plus the tournaments top checkout of 161 in the 28-minute mauling.

Phillips fired out a maximum as he raced to a 3-1 first set success, Greatbatch narrowly missing double 10 for a show-stopping 140 first leg finish.

Despite hitting his second maximum, the Welshman was steamrollered 3-1 in the next set with some precision finishing by the strapping Suffolk player.

Phillips hit the tournament’s biggest checkout so far - 161 to charge into the third set, which he annexed on double eight after hitting his third 180.

Sensing victory, Phillips from Dolgellau – and Wales’ most capped player – stole the opening leg of the fourth set against the throw and then added the second with double six, despite Greatbatch firing in his first 180 of the match.

The Suffolk sharpshooter led all the way to the double in the third leg but nervously missed nine attempts before finally exiting on double four, with Phillips poised ominously on 78 for the kill.

But it was only delaying the inevitable, Phillips nailing double 20 to book his passage into the second round.

Delighted Phillips said: “I enjoyed that and was pleased with my performance. It is a shame the draw paired us together and that one of us had to lose as I am big friends with Shaun – I used to play mixed pairs with his mother.

“I just take each game as it comes, I’m too old too worry about who I am playing, you have to make the most of it and enjoy the occasion,” said the veteran Welsh player.

 
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