David Gilbert survives scare to qualify for Northern Ireland Open snooker

ByEurosport

Updated 27/08/2022 at 11:12 GMT

World No. 19 David Gilbert reached the Northern Ireland Open last 64 with a 4-3 victory against Ross Muir of Scotland. The 2019 Crucible semi-finalist trailed 2-0 to the amateur before breaks of 104 and 89 helped him move 3-2 clear in Wigan. Muir forced the decider, but a closing break of 125 booked Gilbert's spot in Belfast. Stream top snooker action live and on-demand on discovery+.

David Gilbert finished with a classy break of 125 to overcome Scottish amateur Ross Muir 4-3 on Friday in securing his place at the Northern Ireland Open.

The 2019 World Championship semi-finalist had trailed 2-0 before breaks of 104 and 89 saw him move 3-2 clear at the Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan.

Muir forced the deciding frame by winning the sixth, but Gilbert's closing century booked his trip to Belfast for the last 64 stage in October live on Eurosport.

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It could prove to be a key result for Gilbert who stands in 17th spot in the rankings for the Masters in January.

The Tamworth player needs to be inside the top 16 after the UK Championship in November to claim a place at the sport's biggest invitational event.

It was more straightforward for Crucible qualifier Noppon Saengkham, who hit a break of 84 in a 4-0 win against Ben Mertens while Jamie Clarke won three straight frames in a 4-2 victory over former Scottish Open champion Marco Fu.

All matches involving the world's top 16 are held over until the finals venue at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

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Latest Northern Ireland qualifying results

• David Gilbert 4-3 Ross Muir
• Noppon Saengkham 4-0 Ben Mertens
• Ryan Thomerson 3-4 Sam Craigie
• Jamie Clarke 4-2 Marco Fu
• Robert Milkins 4-1 Jason Kendrick
• Aaron Hill 4-0 Zhao Jianbo
• Gerard Greene 4-2 Barry Pinches
• David Lilley 4-3 Andres Petrov

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Stream top snooker action live on discovery+ and on eurosport.co.uk

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