Chinese?cueist Ding Junhui suffered a second blow at the
London Royal Watches tournament after losing to Scotland's Stephen
Maguire 3-2.
The UK Championships winner opened his game strong, winning the
first frame.
But Maguire powered to claim the second and third frames to lead
the game.
Ding managed to level the score after winning the fourth frame
before he lost again in the fifth and final frame.
This was his second loss in the tournament. He lost to Andrew
Norman of England 3-2 earlier after an opening victory over world
champion Graeme Dott 3-0.
Another Chinese teenager Liang Wenbo failed to extend his
winning streak, losing 3-0 to Walsh Matthew Stevens. Liang has
recorded two wins and two losses in the tournament so far and still
has the hope of reaching the last 16 knockout stage.
Five cueists, including world number one Ken Doherty, have
already booked their places in the last 16.
(CRI October 24, 2006)