0
BLACKPOOL (England), Jan 12: Derby’s Munraj Pal recorded a surprise 5-3 victory over Mark Selby to reach the fourth qualifying round of the European Open at Blackpool’s Norbreck Castle Hotel on Saturday.
Selby reached the semifinals of the China Open last season but will not be making an appearance in the final stages of this year’s European Open in Torquay in March.
Pal, ranked 139 in the world, opened up a 4-1 lead with a break of 100 and although Selby revived his hopes by taking the next two frames, a run of 78 closed the match out.
Pal’s win sets up a fourth round clash with David Roe, his regular practice partner at Derby’s Corn Exchange club.
Thailand’s Kwan Poomjang continued his good form this season by ousting Stuart Bingham 5-4, while Merseysider Andrew Higginson completed a thrilling 5-4 win against Bradley Jones on the final black.
