Part Ends Chinese Hopes

JOHN PART 3-0 LIU CHENG'AN
(3-2, 3-1, 3-0)

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CANADIAN John Part began his challenge for a third World Championship title with a straight sets victory over Chinese qualifier Liu Cheng'An.

Part, who last won the title in 2003 at the Circus Tavern, produced some clinical finishing to see off the Purfleet debutant.

Cheng'An, the current Chinese number one, produced a strong display to represent the developing country with pride, hitting two 180's and checking out 103 in the second leg of the game.

Part eventually won the first set 3-2 with a superb 161 checkout, before a thundering 97 finish put him 2-0 up.

The Canadian stepped up the tempo in the third set, reeling off three straight legs to book his place in the last 32.

"It's great to get the first game out of the way," said Part. "I was ready for anything because he was an unknown quantity and you don't know how they will cope with the whole situation.

"But he was quite fantastic and he turned up to play. I hope he gets the credit he deserves back home for how he turned up and played a former champion.

"He probably didn't get a good draw, because I have been in those situations of being the heavy favourite before but he hasn't been up there.

"I was happy with how I responded. I've been practising hard on my out-shots and overall my finishing was quite spectacular.

"The scoring was there but I think I can be a little more automatic on that and work on that over Christmas."

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