The Thai hopes of ending the SangSom 6-Red World Championship title drought came to an end late on Friday night as young Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn went down 7-2 to Stephen Maguire of Scotland in the semi-finals at the Montien Riverside Hotel.
Stephen Maguire.
In the first semi-final of the 8 million baht snooker event, former champion Ricky Walden of England hammered Dominic Dale of Wales 7-1.
Finally, pressure got the better of Kritsanut and the form that helped him score fantastic victories over world snooker giants deserted him on Friday night.
He had beaten two-time defending champion and veteran English professional Mark Davis 6-2 in the last-16 round on Thursday night before felling three-time world professional champion John Higgins of Scotland in Friday morning’s quarter-finals, scoring a memorable 7-4 triumph.
By reaching the semi-finals, Kritsanut became only the second Thai to reach the stage after veteran Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm, who made it to the last four stage in 2008.
In all probability, it was the pressure of being there in front of an overflowing, expecting crowd that hit the nerves of the 25-year-old Kritsanut, playing in an event of this magnitude for the first time.
He missed quite a few shots that he would have otherwise potted with ease and in the process made things easier for Maguire, who did not have much trouble booking his place in the final.
Kritsanut said: “It was a disappointing end but overall I am happy with my performance in the tournament. This was the first time that I have played in an event with such a distinguished line-up of world professional stars.
“I had been very focused and had prepared very hard for the championship, but by reaching the semi-finals I have surprised even myself. I hope that I get better after this and would one day play on the world professional circuit myself.”
Kritsanut and Daleeach received 500,000 baht in prize money.
