Northern Ireland Open: Barry Hawkins into round three after beating Jiang Jun 4-1, Jimmy Robertson or Peng Yisong next
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Updated 24/10/2023 at 19:28 GMT
Barry Hawkins continues his quest for a second ranking title this year after beating Jiang Jun in Belfast. It may not have been pretty, but the European Masters champion got the job down to book his place in round three. The Hawk ended the match with a flourish though, after scoring a break of 81 in the fifth frame. Jiang had his moments though, with his highlight a clearance of 105 in frame four.
'Superb' - Hawkins pots spectacular red during win over Jiang
Barry Hawkins is through to the third round of the Northern Irish Open after a 4-1 win over Jiang Jun.
The Hawk, who won his first career ranking title in over six years at the European Masters by beating Judd Trump in the final back in August, will be looking to make it a second this year in Belfast.
After beating Elliot Slessor 4-1 in the first round on Monday, Hawkins did not produce his finest performance to overcome his Chinese opponent on Tuesday.
The first frame was not easy on the eye with both players making numerous errors, but after 43 minutes, Hawkins secured the opener after Jiang failed to get the snooker he required on the blue.
Hawkins made his second miscue of the match in the second frame but held his nerve to extend his lead, clearing up down to the pink after Jiang missed a final red.
The third frame saw Jiang get lost as he tried to make his way back to the arena not long before a re-rack was needed after a stalemate.
When the frame did resume it lacked quality. Jiang hit the pink instead of a red while Hawkins hit a black when intending to hit a red. But it was Hawkins who took it to take a commanding lead in the match.
Into the fourth and Jiang provided a moment of rare quality in the match with a 105 clearance to give him some much-needed confidence and, more importantly, a lifeline in the tournament.
However, any hopes of a revival from the Chinese were short-lived. He built some solid momentum with a clearance of 27, but Hawkins seized the advantage with a break of 81 after Jiang hit a good safety shot.
He will now face either Jimmy Robertson or Peng Yisong in the next round.
Elsewhere, Yuan Sijun completed a 4-0 whitewash win over Jamie Rhys Clarke, and five other Englishmen booked their places in round three.
Stuart Bingham overcame Xu Si 4-2, Chris Wakelin beat compatriot Alfred Burden 4-2, Ricky Walden prevailed past Welshman Dominic Dale, Ian Burns won 4-2 against Irishman Ken Doherty, and Joe Perry edged out Michael White 4-3.
Meanwhile, Tom Ford was on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline against Lyu Haotian, and Scotsman Ross Muir was beaten 4-3 by Jamaican Rory McLeod.
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