KARACHI, Oct 23: Saleh Mohammad stormed into the semifinal of the World Snooker Championship at Jiangmen City (China), according to a brief message received here on Thursday.

In the quarterfinal Saleh overwhelmed Liang Wengo of China 6-1 to reach the last four stage of the championship. This is the second time Saleh has reached the semifinal of the World Championship.

Earlier, Saleh entered the quarterfinal by handing out a 5-1 drubbing to Issara Kachaiwong of Thailand.

Saleh continued his amazing unbeaten run in the championship by registering his 12th win in a row. It was Saleh’s superb break of 84 in the opening frame which gave him psychological advantage.

Kachaiwong except for third frame never played to his potential and capitalizing on the pressure and taking every opportunity Saleh raced to 84-0, 103- 32, 6-76, 68-48, 76-43, 99-21 victory.

In the quarterfinal Saleh Muhammad will clash Liang Wengo of China for a place in the semifinal. Wang was taken to full distance by Rodney Goggins of Ireland before cruising into the last eight stage.

Top seed Phathoon Phonhbun of Thailand staged incredible recovery from 0-4 down to defeat Jamie O’Neil of England 5-4.

Results:

Saleh Muhammad (Pak) bt Issara Kachaiwong (Thai) 5-1 84-0, 103-32, 6-76, 68-48, 76-43, 99-21; Phaithoon Phonnbun (Thai) bt James O’Neill (Eng) 5-4 14-71, 19-62, 50-74, 4-65, 85-01, 59-06, 68-62, 81-51, 72-30; Pankaj Advani (Ind) bt Elfed (Wales) 5-4 84-66, 36-76, 41-63, 83-30, 69-40, 77-08, 0-102, 93-24, 68-34; Brenddan O’Donoghue (Ire) bt Tim English (Wales) 5-1 35-63, 56-1779-16, 71-25, 86-0, 78-01; Dermot McGlinchey (N.Ire) bt Muhammad Shehab (UAE) 5-4 35-72, 8-88, 68-58, 55-74, 82-31, 67-45, 0-86, 77-11, 65-63; Jin Long (Chn) bt Alex Borg (Malta) 5-2 70-24, 34-62, 72-45, 54-60, 62-54, 83-23, 65-10; Mark Allen (N.Ire) bt Joe Minici (Aus) 5-0, 72-31, 4-01, 57-15, 70-45, 75-10; Lang Wenguo (Chn) bt Rodney Goggings (Ire) 5-4 105-0, 1-73. 26-86, 70-40, 73-66, 77-16, 0-74, 32-73, 72-23.—APP