2.4.09

PETTMAN'S PROGRESS

Congratulations to Stuart Pettman who has ended 17 years of hurt as a professional by finally reaching his first ranking event quarter-final.

Stuart beat Ali Carter 5-2 in the Bank of Beijing China Open today.

He's been a journeyman for most of his career but his progress proves the strength in depth on the circuit.

It's strange that he never had much success at Preston Guild Hall - his local venue - but has found some half way around the world.

21 comments:

Anon said...

shame, I thought Ali Carter would do well in this tournament

Dave H said...

He was my tip on Betfair so that was his chance pretty much wrecked

Anonymous said...

Carters results this season haven't been that impressive if you line them up. He's managed to get to provisional number 3 beating only Murphy and Williams of note, and Williams got a thunderous kick when looking like clearing up in their deciding frame in the UK. Maybe this is Ali's comeuppance. I think anyone who thinks he's got a chance of winning at the Crucible is living in dream land.

Well done Stuart Pettman.

Baby Jenx said...

Congrat's to Mr Hendry too!!! What a result (and comeback) against Walden! A few nice size breaks too! Roll on tomorrow morning

Anonymous said...

well done Pett

Ali has been a "top 4" performer this year IMO so that is a great victory no metter how they played

Monique said...

Well done Stuart Pettman indeed. You can only beat who is in front of you and even if Ali was not on his best day it is a great achievement.
Well done to Stephen Hendry also! It takes something to come back from 1-3 to win 5-4 against a player like Walden.

Anonymous said...

El Cap does not enjoy these trips to China and finds it very hard to adjust and play well there - his results in ranking tournaments out there alone speak for themselves.....Ali will be glad to get home and focus on the World Champs where there is no doubt he is a serious contender. This result means nothing in the grand plan of things.

Congrats to Pettman though who I believe played very solid and scored well and as such was the deserving winner on this occasion. He just beat the probably the most consistent and in form player this season so hats off to him.

'Carter's results haven't been that impressive...' ??!! lolololo - what snooker have you been following?! - as someone said above - you can only beat who's in front of you.

Don't underestimate El Capitano!..

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with the post at 10:42. I think Ali is a very good player, just not a great one. In winning the Welsh he didn't have to play anyone ranked in the provisional top 16 (granted you can only beat whats in front of you). He'll only become a great player when he is beating the likes of Ronnie, Higgins and Selby, something he is yet to do.

Anonymous said...

Dave, your tips are terrible. Do you actually have a bet?

Bill Carr said...

In fairness to Dave, in his brief foray with SportsAdvisor he did tip a 50/1 tournament winner which pays for plenty of losers. Also China is a tricky tournament where trying to find the winner is none too easy. I backed Judd Trump, so Dave did better than I did

JohnH said...

I tipped Hendry, Dott, Harold and O'Brien so am still in the hunt.

Anonymous said...

Ebdon finally through 5:3. Must have been a slow grinding once again:)

Sparky said...

that was a huge match between ebdon and harold regarding who stays in top-16...

Dave H said...

I think you have to give Ebdon every credit

The match sounded like an absolute bore-a-thon but, my word, he gives it everything

Anonymous said...

well done Ebdon- fascinating clash now with Hendry.

JohnH said...

O Well I suppose having Hendry and Dott in the quarters is not a bad strike rate. Pity I dont gamble!

Anonymous said...

Great to see Dott back in the big time, and this is coming from a Selby fan!

Anonymous said...

Hi Dave,

Well done Stuart. There is a whole group of players where the word consistancy comes to mind and they include; Day, Murphy, Maguire, Selby, Carter, Robertson and Perry at the moment. They are good players but not great ones. The argument is there isn't enough competitions (another debate altogether), but for Carter to win the Welsh and then lose here isn't good enough am afraid. But take nothing away from Pettman - which proves how tough it is too predict (you should give up, Dave) winners.

And superb from Dott. Just had a feeling that a good result was just around the corner for him. Regardless, this will set him up for Sheffield nicely.

And finally, if the Rocket plays like he did today, he will lost to Higgins. O'Sullivan back to his usual 'overseas' tactics today of hit-and-hope around the balls. Though the way he fashioned the 96 in the match-winning frame showed what he can achieve in China when he wants to.

Thanks, Joe

darrus said...

Dave, do you know what matches will be shown on Eurosport tomorrow?

CRO Snoox said...

Yep, this is starting to be a hell of a tournament! every 1/4 final match is going to be brilliant i believe! can't wait for tomorrooow :)
And i'm really glad for Hendry, finally he broke the ice again! Oh, and what a final would that be... Ronnie VS Hendry :)

Anonymous said...

I for one, would love to see a Dott v Higgins final. See the two practice partners slug it out.