Milkman Delivers In China

Article created on 01/03/2012 16:04:07 by Planner

Rob Milkins faces John Higgins in Quarter Finals

Rob Milkins beat Jin Long 5-2 to reach his first ranking event quarter final since the 2009 Grand Prix.

Gloucester’s Robert Milkins, based at the South West Snooker Academy, faced both his opponent and a partisan crowd in the Haikou World Open on Hainan Island, China.

China’s Jin Long, who ousted Ding Junhui from the tournament, took the opening frame, but thereafter Milkins led from the front.

Long closed to 3-2 before Milkins produced his seventh century of the season, 106, to move further ahead, and he controlled frame seven to close out victory.

World Champion John Higgins awaits Milkins in Friday’s Quarter Final. Higgins cruised past Jamie Cope 5-0 in their Last 16 match.

Milkins was relieved after his win. “I didn’t really know what to expect today. Jin is a good player but I think my experience made the difference.

“In the UK we are practising in the best conditions against top opposition every day and that helped me through.

“I’ve played John [Higgins] many times. I haven’t got a great record against him. But I’ll be the underdog tomorrow and he’ll be under the greater pressure. I beat Stephen Hendry in the Shanghai Masters so I hope I can do the same to John on Friday.”

FRAME SCORES

Robert Milkins 5-2 Jin Long
21-68(48), 83-1, 89(51)-39, 55-42, 15-75(66), 106(106)-0, 60(39)-6




Janie E Watkins
On Q Promotions Media Manager