LIMERICK’S William O’Connor caused an upset at the UK Open on Saturday evening, when defeating World Champion Peter Wright, 10-7.
Wright, who won his second World Championship just two months ago, was second favourite to lift the silverware at Butlin’s Minehead Resort. But O’Connor has ideas of his own.
Despite trailing early on and looking unlikely to trouble Wright, the Cappamore man kept in touch despite scoring significantly less than the Scotsman. O’Connor was able to bring it to 4-4 before breaking the Wright throw and improving his scoring to lead 7-4.
But the world number two fought back to 7-6, with O’Connor missing a big single 16 to set up another break opportunity. From here, he held his nerve and after scoring a superb 171 (T19 x3) in the final leg, he checked out on D4 to dismiss the 51-year-old.
He guarantees £12,500 for reaching the last eight. The overall winner will receive £100,000. O’Connor reaches his third tv quarter final.
He is to be joined by teenagers Sebastian Białeck and Keane Barry in the last eight – all three at that stage for the first time in their career.
Meath youngster Barry hammered Ricky Evans 10-5 to book his quarter final spot. ‘Dynamite’ was at his brilliant best early in the contest, streaking 8-2 clear before seeing off the Englishman in convincing fashion.
This competition started on Friday and The Magpie defeated Connor Scutt, 6-5, coming from behind. He enjoyed a 10-7 victory over enjoyed Jason Heaver in the evening matches.
That brought him onto Saturday afternoon where he edged another tight match 10-9, against world number 20, Stephen Bunting.
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