Kritsanut fells giants, Walden into final

Kritsanut first ensured that there will be no hat-trick of titles for English professional Mark Davis as he sent the defending champion packing 6-2 in the last 16 round on Thursday night.

The talented Thai went on to add the scalp of three time former world professional champion John Higgins of Scotland in yesterday morning’s quarter-finals, scoring a memorable 7-4 triumph.

In the first semi-final in the afternoon session, former champion Ricky Walden of England routed Dominic Dale of Wales 7-1 to stake a claim for another title. The second semi-final scheduled for later yesterday was to pit Kritsanut against world No 13 Stephen Maguire of Scotland.

By reaching the semi-finals, Kritsanut has matched the best performance by a Thai player at the world championship. Earlier, it had been Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm who had reached the last-four stage in 2008.

Kritsanut claimed it was lack of pressure that has helped him through to the semi-finals.

“There were so many big names in the tournament, even among the Thais, I am one of the lesser known players. I wasn’t worried about losing. There hasn't been any burden of expectations, so I have been able to play my game,” said Kritsanut.

Former great Jimmy White has already praised him and yesterday, Higgins joined the growing chorus of well-wishers. “He is young and he is very, very good. I am really impressed,” said Higgins.

Higgins had been in a great form throughout the event and he was impressive in the quarter-finals as well. The Scottish snooker wizard did most of the break building jobs during the match as he had runs of 77, 59 and 54.

What made the difference for Kritsanut, who scored a couple of 50-plus breaks, was that he was able to pot crucial balls at important junctures.

In the other quarter-finals, Walden, ranked No 12 in the world, edged former world professional champion Mark Williams of Scotland 7-6, Dale beat Hossein Vafaei Ayouri of Iran 7-4 and Scottish world No 13 Stephen Maguire showed exit to another former world title-holder Shaun Murphy of England, winning the match 7-4.

The best of 15 frames title showdown will commence at 9.30pm on Saturday at the same venue and will be televised live terrestrial NBT (Channel 11) and trueSports 7 cable TV.