Heathcote Makes Final Day
Louis Heathcote admits he may be in for a sleepless night, as he prepares himself for the final day of Q School Event Two in his home city of Leicester. He defeated Ben Fortey 4-2 to move two matches from an immediate return to the World Snooker Tour.
Heathcote was relegated from the circuit at the conclusion of last season, having competed on tour for the last four years. After losing to Alfie Burden in the first event, tomorrow represents his last chance to be at snooker’s top table next season.
The 25-year-old made breaks of 56, 58 and 56 on his way to this afternoon’s win. He now faces Simon Bedford in tomorrow’s first match. Bedford came from 3-0 down to beat World Women’s Championship runner-up Bai Yulu 4-3.
Heathcote said: “It is the worst thing ever. I can’t describe what it is like out there. I have been a professional for the last four years and that is my full time job, that is my life. So if I don’t get through this week, I don’t have a job and I don’t know what I am going to do with my life. Everything is riding on this week for me. I am trying to give every ball 100%.
“I don’t think I will get much sleep tonight. I am just going to go out tomorrow and give it everything I’ve got. I will leave nothing on the table and give it my absolute all. Hopefully that will be enough.”
Ukraine’s Iulian Boiko clinched his place in tomorrow’s final day with an impressive 4-1 win over James Lee. The 17-year-old crafted contributions of 72, 78 and 70 during the tie and now faces former World Seniors Champion Peter Lines in the penultimate round. Englishman Lines defeated Scotland’s Chris Totten 4-0.
Alfie Burden staged a superb fightback to come from 3-0 down and beat Michael Holt 4-3. Burden made breaks of 62, 51 and 66 to turn the match on its head and set up a fifth round clash with Duane Jones.
Austria’s Florian Nuessle progressed thanks to a 4-1 win over German Umut Dikme. He now faces Hayden Pinhey, who lost in the final round of event one. Pinhey whitewashed Tyler Rees 4-0.
The last 16 and the quarter-finals will be played tomorrow, with the successful four players earning two-year cards for the World Snooker Tour. You can watch a live stream of the final round game on table one on WST’s Facebook page tomorrow from 1pm. Click here for details