Grace Stuns Higgins as Shenzhen Open Last 16 Takes Shape
David Grace claimed one of the biggest victories of his career with a dramatic deciding-frame win over four-time World Champion John Higgins as the Shenzhen Open continued to produce major results in China.
Grace defeated Higgins 5-4 to secure his place in the last 32, while Ricky Walden also produced an impressive comeback to knock out home favourite Ding Junhui.
World Champion Wu Yize, Kyren Wilson, Shaun Murphy and Mark Selby were among the other leading names to progress, while the first places in the last 16 were also secured during Tuesday evening’s action.
Grace Claims Memorable Victory Over Higgins
David Grace produced a superb performance to defeat John Higgins for the first time in his career, having lost each of their previous five meetings.
Higgins made an excellent start, opening the match with a break of 116 before moving into a 2-0 advantage.
Grace responded in impressive fashion. Breaks of 60, 64, 93 and 68 helped the Englishman reel off four consecutive frames and move within one of victory at 4-2.
However, Higgins once again demonstrated the resilience that has defined much of his career. The Scot fought his way back into the contest and a century break of 101 helped him level the match at 4-4 and force a deciding frame.
Grace refused to let the opportunity slip away. A crucial contribution of 60 put him in control of the decider before he eventually secured the frame on the pink to complete a memorable 5-4 victory.
The world number 75 will now face fellow Scot Stephen Maguire. Victory in that encounter would see Grace reach the last 16 of a ranking event in China for only the second time in his career and the first since the 2015 Shanghai Masters.
Higgins’ departure means all three members of snooker’s famous ‘Class of 92’ have been eliminated early in Shenzhen, following opening-round defeats for Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams.
Walden Fights Back to Defeat Ding
Ricky Walden secured another notable result with a 5-4 victory over Chinese favourite Ding Junhui.
Ding established an early 2-0 advantage, but Walden responded strongly and produced two excellent centuries of 115 and 133 during his comeback.
The three-time ranking event winner eventually completed a deciding-frame victory to secure an important result as he looks to build momentum during the season.
Walden will now face English Open champion Ali Carter for a place in the next round.
World Champion Wu Survives Clarke Battle
World Champion Wu Yize was forced to work hard for his place in the next round as he edged Jamie Clarke 5-4.
Wu raced into an early advantage before Clarke fought his way back into the contest, but the Chinese star eventually prevailed in the deciding frame.
It was another impressive scoring display from Wu, who compiled breaks of 67, 143, 88 and 123 during the nine-frame encounter.
Wilson and Murphy Cruise Through
Kyren Wilson enjoyed a much more comfortable passage into the next round with a commanding 5-1 victory over Sam Craigie.
Wilson produced centuries of 100 and 122 as he secured his place with an impressive performance.
Shaun Murphy also recorded a 5-1 victory, overcoming Marco Fu with a top break of 111.
Elsewhere, Michael Holt came through a deciding-frame encounter against Xiao Guodong to win 5-4, while China Open champion Mark Selby recorded a 5-3 victory over Andrew Higginson.
Robertson Among First Players Into Last 16
The last-32 stage began during Tuesday evening’s session, with Neil Robertson becoming one of the first players to secure his place in the last 16.
The Australian defeated Lei Peifan 5-1, producing a top break of 94 during a convincing performance.
Jiang Jun was unable to build on his memorable opening-round victory over seven-time World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, as Zak Surety ended the Chinese youngster’s run with a 5-3 victory.
Surety finished the contest strongly, producing breaks of 83 and 118 across the final two frames to seal his progression.
Donaldson Continues Impressive Shenzhen Run
Scott Donaldson followed up his stunning opening-round victory over world number one Zhao Xintong by claiming another deciding-frame success.
Donaldson faced Pang Junxu and once again held his nerve under pressure, eventually securing a 5-4 victory.
The deciding frame came down to the colours, with Donaldson clearing from the final green through to the black to complete another impressive win and secure his place in the last 16.
Jimmy Robertson Produces Impressive Scoring Display
Jimmy Robertson was another player to book his place in the last 16 following a dominant 5-1 victory over Ben Mertens.
Robertson was in excellent scoring form throughout the contest, compiling breaks of 121, 55, 62, 117 and 82 as he raced to victory.
Shenzhen Open Field Continues to Narrow
Following the early departures of Zhao Xintong, Ronnie O’Sullivan and defending champion Mark Williams, John Higgins and Ding Junhui have now joined the list of high-profile players eliminated from the tournament.
Meanwhile, the likes of Neil Robertson, Scott Donaldson, Zak Surety and Jimmy Robertson have already secured their places in the last 16 as the battle for the Shenzhen Open title intensifies.
With more last-32 matches still to come, attention now turns to the next stage of the £850,000 event as the remaining players compete for a place in the latter stages.
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