Northern Ireland Open results: Brown exits as quarter-final line-up confirmed
Jordan Brown’s Northern Ireland Open campaign ended with a 4–2 defeat by Scott Donaldson on Thursday, as the quarter-final line-up was completed at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.
The Antrim player’s exit ended hopes of a home winner, following victories over Mark Allen and Michael Holt earlier in the tournament.
Donaldson will face Jak Jones on Friday after the Welshman defeated Daniel Wells 4–2. Mark Williams, Kyren Wilson, Anthony McGill, Sam Craigie, Elliot Slessor and David Gilbert also progressed.
Brown’s Belfast run ends
Brown was unable to extend his run into the quarter-finals as Donaldson secured a 4–2 victory.
The result gave the Scot his first ranking quarter-final appearance in six years and ended Brown’s challenge after two victories in front of his home crowd.
Jones completed the last-eight line-up with his 4–2 win over Wells, setting up a Friday evening meeting with Donaldson.
Williams cruises through as Gilbert ends Cheung’s run
Williams produced the most emphatic result of Thursday’s last-16 matches, beating Martin O’Donnell 4–0.
O’Donnell had eliminated Judd Trump and Luca Brecel earlier in the week, but could not take a frame from the three-time world champion.
Williams now faces Gilbert, who defeated Cheung Ka Wai 4–2. Cheung’s impressive Belfast campaign had included victories over Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stuart Bingham.
Wilson survives deciding frame
Wilson came through a close contest against Pang Junxu, winning 4–3 with a break of 94 in the deciding frame.
Pang had threatened a maximum in the sixth frame before his attempt ended on 97, but Wilson recovered to secure his place in the quarter-finals.
His next opponent is McGill, who defeated Mateusz Baranowski 4–1.
Craigie also impressed, compiling breaks of 108, 96, 100 and 79 during his 4–2 victory over Matthew Selt.
The result secured Craigie’s first ranking quarter-final appearance since returning from the serious neck injury that interrupted his career. He will face Slessor, who beat Ricky Walden 4–1.
Full Northern Ireland Open results — Thursday 22 October
Last 16:
Anthony McGill 4–1 Mateusz Baranowski
Kyren Wilson 4–3 Pang Junxu
Sam Craigie 4–2 Matthew Selt
Elliot Slessor 4–1 Ricky Walden
David Gilbert 4–2 Cheung Ka Wai
Mark Williams 4–0 Martin O’Donnell
Jak Jones 4–2 Daniel Wells
Scott Donaldson 4–2 Jordan Brown
Friday preview: four semi-final places at stake
Wilson against McGill is one of the standout quarter-finals on Friday’s programme.
Wilson arrives after surviving a deciding frame, while McGill dropped just one frame against Baranowski. The winner will meet either Craigie or Slessor in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Craigie’s scoring against Selt gives him encouragement ahead of his meeting with Slessor. Two centuries and further breaks of 96 and 79 demonstrated the form his opponent will have to contend with.
The evening session features Williams against Gilbert. Williams progressed without dropping a frame on Thursday, while Gilbert ended one of the tournament’s most notable runs by beating Cheung.
Jones and Donaldson complete the quarter-final programme. Both won 4–2 on Thursday, and their meeting will decide who faces Williams or Gilbert in the last four.
The longer format brings a different challenge, with Friday’s quarter-finals played over the best of 11 frames. Six frames are required for victory.
Friday 23 October fixtures
From 1pm:
Anthony McGill v Kyren Wilson
Sam Craigie v Elliot Slessor
From 7pm:
David Gilbert v Mark Williams
Jak Jones v Scott Donaldson
The semi-finals take place on Saturday 24 October, followed by the final on Sunday 25 October.
Other news: Northern Ireland Open praised as Waterfront Hall secures snooker tournament until 2029
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