O’Connor’s five in a row secures win

JOE O’CONNOR believes edging the fourth frame on a re-spotted black was pivotal in launching his impressive comeback win in the opening round of the UK Championship, writes Peter White of Sportsbeat.

The Leicester potter endured a horror start to his contest against Welshman Duane Jones, with his opponent racing into a 3-0 lead, presenting O’Connor with an uphill task with six the target.

O’Connor grabbed a foothold in the match by claiming the next frame in the tightest of fashions, before securing five on the bounce after the interval to eventually prevail 6-4.

While the world No.49 admits there is plenty of room for improvement, he is confident a swing in momentum was key to his success.

“I’ve been playing well in practice over the last couple of weeks, but at the start of the game it was like I’d never played the game before,” O’Connor, 25, said.

“I couldn’t settle, and I was just sat there wondering when I was going to get my chance. Winning the fourth frame was pivotal, because even though I lost the next one, it gave me more of a chance to get going.

“I knew once I settled down my cue action would straighten up and I’d start potting the balls, and thankfully I managed to see it out.”

In only his third season on the pro tour, O’Connor now faces world No.15 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh of Thailand in the second round.

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