Ronnie cruises into the semi’s

24/07/2009

Ronnie Baxter has beaten world number 2 James Wade 16-10 in Blackpool at the stanjames.com World Matchplay. He will now play Terry Jenkins for a place in Sunday's final.

Ronnie's good run of form continued in some style as he knocked out James Wade 16-10.

Wade has reached the final at the Winter Gardens for the past 3 years and won in 2007, but local-born Baxter put an end to Wade's impressive run at the tournament.

Wade made a good start bursting to a 2-0 lead, Baxter then took double 10 to break back then took a 14-darter to square things up. The next legs went with throw before a brilliant 132 checkout helped Ronnie on the way to a 5-3 lead.

Wade soon pulled level and a few legs with throw put the game level at 8-8. The next 2 legs Wade began to slump as Baxter took advantage of missed doubles to move 2 clear. They traded the next 2 before a 13-darter from Wade closed the gap to 1 leg at 11-10, but that would prove to be the last of Wade's winning legs.

Missed doubles from Wade gifted Baxter a greater advantage and then four visits without a 100+ for Wade gave Baxter the perfect chance of victory which he took and put himself into the semi's at Blackpool for the first time since 2005.

"James isn't number 2 in the world for nothing but it was my night" said Baxter. "It was all about hitting my doubles and I have a great chance now in this event. James missed a few doubles and that let me in. I'm enjoying myself and my form is coming back. I haven't done the business for a lot of years but I'm in the semis and have agreat chance now. the tight matches I had in the early rounds teach you things and prepare you for if they happen again in the later stages"