Practice made perfect as Shropshire’s snooker professional Adrian Gunnell stormed to within one victory of qualifying for the final stages of the Malta Open.
The 34-year-old defeated Chris Melling 5-0 at Prestatyn yesterday and will qualify for a trip to Malta with if he scores a victory over Marco Fu this evening.
Gunnell looked in little danger of losing last night after opening with a 55 break in the first frame.
The second was snatched on the colours before the Telford cueman offered evidence of his encouraging form with a century clearance in the third.
Hopes of a 147 break were raised in the fourth frame as Gunnell potted each of the first seven reds with blacks.
But the eighth red was jawed as the Shropshire ace attempted to force position on the black to keep his maximum dream alive.
That disappointment, however, didn’t prove costly and Gunnell wrapped up the whitewash in the next.
“It was a very solid performance and I’m really pleased with my form,” he said. “I’m practising on a match table in Cannock and have really put the hours in.
“I spent four-and-a-half hours practising on my own on Monday and Tuesday and it’s probably been five years since I have done that.
“It gave me a few problems with my back but I knew I was cueing well and, win or lose against Marco, I’m looking forward to practising for the UK Championships in two weeks time.”
By James Garrison
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