GRACE IS TOP DRAW

DAVID GRACE gave slowcoach Peter Ebdon the brush-off last night to claim the biggest win of his career.

World No.81 Grace is a talented artist who has boosted his earnings by selling portraits – as well as cleaning snooker tables back home in Leeds.

But the 30-year-old moved into a first major quarter-final at the Betway UK Championship with a 6-2 victory over former world champion Ebdon.

That saw Grace guaranteed his biggest payday of £20,000 – before this event he had pocketed just £13,000 in two seasons.

And he kept cool with breaks of 84, 75, 67, 60 and 53 at York’s Barbican Centre despite grinder Ebdon going on a go-slow, twice playing for five snookers, and taking a mid-frame toilet break.

Grace, who will marry girlfriend Gemma next year, said: “It is the biggest win of my career. I have been around a long time and done nothing. This is what it is all for.

“You knew it wouldn’t be easy against Peter, but even when he was playing for five snookers I kept calm out there.

“The BBC made me draw a picture of Peter yesterday and I felt under more pressure drawing him than playing him.

“I was given about 45 minutes, normally I’d take hours for one like that.

“The money is welcome. We are down the rankings for a reason.

“But a week ago I was in the first round and now the quarters and £20,000, so you can change your life quickly. I am not finished here yet though.”

World No.1 Mark Selby rattled in breaks of 82, 58, 106, 86, 98 and 56 in a 6-1 win over Thailand’s Dechawat Poomjaeng.

Former UK winner Selby said: “That is probably the best I’ve played all season.”

PICTURE PERFECT: Grace