Wattana sets up clash with O'Sullivan
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Shanghai Daily, September 6, 2011
Former World No 3 James Wattana of Thailand earned a match with Ronnie O'Sullivan by strolling through the wildcard round at the Bank of Communication Shanghai Masters yesterday.
Wattana, who won three ranking titles in the 1990s, saw off China's Jin Long 5-1 with top breaks of 79 and 75, and will now face O'Sullivan in the last 32 tonight.
"I didn't expect it to be easy but Jin can play a lot better than he did today," said 41-year-old Wattana.
"I will try my hardest against Ronnie. We've had some great games in the past. He's the best player in the world, but on the day anything can happen.
"I'm hoping tomorrow will be my day."
Anthony Hamilton gave the best performance of the opening session, beating China's Li Hang 5-0 with top runs of 123, 75, 60 and 52.
He out-scored his opponent 509-20 in a one-sided match.
"I felt sorry for Li because he must have wanted to do well in front of the Chinese fans, but I played as well as I can," said the Sheriff of Pottingham. "If I play like that I can beat anyone. The opponents will get harder and it's not often you play at your best. But at least I will give Stephen Maguire a good game."
Hamilton has suffered from neck pain in recent years, caused by vertebrae at the top of the spine rubbing together. "It's fine unless the muscles go into spasm, which happens about five times a year," he added. "I just have to hope that it doesn't co-incide with a tournament.
"It's better than it was before, because I have changed my stance progressively over the last three years. I'm not as good or as solid as I used to be, but at least I can still play."
Twisting neck
"When it first started I went to a doctor in Harley Street and he said there was nothing I could do about it. I had to play through the pain. It's better now but there are certain things I can't do. Even on the plane coming over here I was talking to Fergal O'Brien for about half an hour then had to stop because I was twisting my neck to one side."
O'Brien also safely negotiated the wildcard round with a 5-1 defeat of Hossein Vafaei, highlighted by breaks of 60 and 71.
"I'm delighted to win, the first match in any tournament is tough, especially overseas when it takes a couple of days to get over the flight," said the Dubliner, whose good form in recent weeks has put him in with a chance of breaking into the top 32 of the world rankings when the seeding cut-off point falls in October.
Jack Lisowski conceded just one frame in winning three qualifying matches, and continued his run with a 5-2 success over Rouzi Maimaiti, his top run a 53 in the last frame.
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