Walden Ends Lines Run

Ricky Walden reached the last 16 of the Victoria Bulgarian Open by ending the impressive run of rising star Oliver Lines in Sofia.

Teenager Lines, son of experienced pro Peter, beat Mark Selby at the International Championship qualifiers last week and claimed two more scalps today by knocking out Mark Williams and Jack Lisowski.

He then led Walden 2-0 in the last 32 and had a chance to extend his lead but missed frame-ball pink, which proved a key moment in the match. Chester’s Walden recovered to lead 3-2, and though Lines won the sixth frame, a break of 67 from Walden in the decider saw him advance to Sunday’s conclusion.

Judd Trump came from 3-2 down to beat Graeme Dott 4-3 in the last 32, taking the sixth frame on the colours and the decider with a break of 59. Joe Perry recovered a 3-2 deficit to edge out Barry Hawkins 4-3, taking the decider on the final black.

Martin Gould impressed in a 4-1 win over Jamie Jones, firing in runs of 71, 84, 51 and 107. Peter Ebdon top scored with 91 in a 4-1 defeat of Gerard Greene, who had earlier knocked out world number two Neil Robertson.

Jimmy Robertson closed with a 79 in a 4-0 defeat of Michael Holt while runs of 65, 79, 76 and 62 helped Michael White beat Andrew Pagett 4-2. Michael Wasley, who reached the last 16 of the World Championship, saw off Liang Wenbo 4-2 with top runs of 84, 87 and 83.

The European Tour event concludes on Sunday with the winner to pocket 25,000 Euros.

Last 16 line up:

Mark Selby v Robbie Williams
Shaun Murphy v Jimmy White
Michael White v Jimmy Robertson
Luca Brecel v Mark King
Ricky Walden v Martin Gould
Mark Davis v Alan McManus
Joe Perry v Peter Ebdon
Michael Wasley v Judd Trump