Borg joins last 32

Alex Borg booked his place in the last 32 of the IBSF World Championships in China yesterday after a thrilling 4-3 win over David John in the final Group G match. The Welshman, current European champion, required a victory himself to edge Borg from the knockout stages.

Frames scores: (Borg first) 48-66, 79-31, 4-70, 71-24, 64-17, 49-74, 75-50.

With the top four qualifying for the next round, Borg earned his berth after placing third in his group with eight wins from ten matches.

Northern Ireland's Dermot McGlinchey topped the group with nine wins ahead of China's Liang Wenbo who beat James McBain, of Scotland, 4-3 yesterday. The latter still progressed after finishing fourth behind Borg.

The Malta champion today faces India's Alok Kumar for a place in the last 16. Kumar qualified after placing second in Group H.