Borg beats Bedford in qualifier

Alex Borg moved to within two matches of a place in the final stages of the World Championship. The Malta champion last night eliminated Simon Bedford 10-6 in the opening round of the qualifying phase in Wales.

Bedford had a steady 2004/05 season to move 12 places up in the ranking list to no.63. But, against an in-form Borg there was little the Englishman could do despite a bold attempt in the second session of the best-of-19 frame contest.

Borg was always in the lead and the closest Bedford came to the Maltese player was in the seventh frame which he won to reduce the deficit to 4-3.

At the end of the first session Borg led 6-3. He extended that lead to 7-3 before Bedford, 29, pulled back to 8-6. But, Borg kept hold of his nerves to win the two frames needed and book a place in the next round against Jimmy Michie, currently ranked 55th in the world.

Borg plays Michie tomorrow. The winner faces Mark Selby in the third qualifying round which also involves Tony Drago who plays his match on Friday.

Meanwhile, newly-crowned UK champion Ding Jun Hui recorded an emphatic 10-1 victory over Stuart Mann. The 18-year-old cruised through in just over two-and-a-half hours at Pontin's, Prestatyn as he bids to qualify for Sheffield's Crucible Theatre for the first time.