Scott is so near to shock

PERTH potter Scott Donaldson nearly pulled off a shock in the first round of the English Snooker Open in Barnsley.

World No 1 Mark Selby was given a tough time by the former Perth High School pupil before going through 4-3.

Donaldson, the 23-yearold world No 65 who has notched several notable successes, produced clearances of 121, 72 and 57 as he moved 3-2 ahead.

Selby regained his momentum against the Scot after an unanswered run of 124 levelled the match before closing out victory.

Ronnie O’Sullivan coasted past Zhang Anda. The five-time world champ, sporting a pair of running trainers, moved 3-0 ahead before another impressive break of 89 sealed his 4-1 win.

Ding Junhui, the world No 2, defeated Christopher Keogan 4-1, but world No 6 Marco Fu suffered an unexpected early exit, beaten 4-1 by Tian Pengfei

Stephen Maguire lost 4-0 against Robert Milkins bu t J a m e s Wa t t a n a progressed with a 4-2 win over Martin O’Donnell although there was also disappointment for Anthony Hamilton who was beaten 4-2 by Alexander Ursenbacher.

Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion, lost 4-1 to Gerard Greene, Alan McManus was edged out 4-3 by fellow Scot Rhys Clark while Joe Perry lost 4-1 against Yuan Sijun.

Elsewhere, Neil Robertson, the world No 8, coasted past Billy Joe Castle 4-0 and Mark Williams beat David Grace.

Former world champion Peter Ebdon was defeated 4-2 in his game against Ben Woollaston.

Scott Donaldson