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Scots and Murphy lift confidence in China ahead of Crucible test
Graeme Dott and Stephen Hendry claimed impressive victories on a good day for the Scots at the China Open.
John Higgins's win made it three former world champions from north of the border advancing to the quarter-finals of the last ranking event before the World Championship.
Dott and Hendry have been chasing ranking points after difficult seasons, and their respective wins over Mark Selby and Ricky Walden should ease their concerns.
Dott began the season at 13th in the world but arrived in China knowing he was provisionally out of the top 32 for next season, while the once dominant Hendry started the campaign at No 6 but has been battling to preserve a top-16 place.
The 5-1 victory over top-eight star Selby suggests Dott could again be a serious contender for the China title he won in 2007, while Hendry showed his battling qualities to overcome Walden 5-4, having trailed 3-1.
Walden won the Shanghai Open on his previous visit to China, and this defeat ended his eight-match streak of victories in the country.
Higgins ensured he would be in the last eight by knocking out Chinese player Tian Pengfei 5-2. Tian had shocked Marco Fu in the first round but was no match for Higgins.
The Scots have been kept apart in the draw and will all be aiming for the semi-finals with Hendry to take on Peter Ebdon, Dott to tackle Ali Carter's conqueror Stuart Pettman, and Higgins to face favourite Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Hendry's win means he should have few worries about retaining his top-16 status.
"I am still a long way from being at my best in matches but in practice I am almost there," said the seven-time former world champion.
Higgins made the top break in his match against Tian by scoring 132 in the opening frame.
Another former world champion seeking a run of wins ahead of his return to the Crucible is Rotherham's Shaun Murphy, and his 5-1 demolition of Australian Neil Robertson provided a timely boost for the UK champion.
O'Sullivan was given a test by Chinese player Xiao Guodong but came through 5-3 to clinch his meeting with Higgins.
Ryan Day sent Mark King crashing out, securing a 5-2 win and a clash with Murphy in the quarter-finals, while Pettman beat Carter 5-2 and Ebdon won a long match 5-4 against Dave Harold.
Like his next opponent Hendry, Ebdon is another former world champion whose place in the elite top 16 has looked vulnerable lately, and he was relieved to come through a gruelling test.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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