Lloyd Fights Back To See Off Menace

COLIN LLOYD 6-4 DENNIS PRIESTLEY
(0-3, 0-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0, 3-1, 0-3, 3-1)
Sky Bet World Grand Prix Semi-Final

COLIN LLOYD came from behind to book a place in the final of the Sky Bet World Grand Prix for the second successive year with a 6-4 win over Dennis Priestley.

The defending champion has never hit top form during the event, and looked set to pay for that when Priestley continued his inspired run by taking a 3-1 lead.

But the world number one showed his class to rattle off four straight sets and stay on course to retain the title.

He struggled to get into the game early on, with Priestley taking the first two sets without Lloyd winning a leg.

Lloyd won the third, but Priestley extended his lead in the game to 3-1 by taking the fourth in the deciding leg.

Lloyd struck back by winning the next two sets to level the game before finally hitting top gear, taking five straight legs on his way to moving 5-3 up.

Priestley landed the ninth set without reply but Lloyd maintained his cool to finally seal victory with double ten.

"When I was 3-1 down I was struggling and I don't mind admitting that," said Lloyd.

"I could have gone 4-2 down, but when I got level at 3-3 I decided to start again and I'm still here defending my title.

"But it was tough. There were a couple of times when I had a chance in legs and got kicked in the teeth. Dennis stepped in and started putting the heat on and I had to adapt myself.

"The goods are starting to come now. It was there for a couple of sets and then it was stop-start, but I feel you could see the real deal in the final."

Priestley has produced some of his best form for a number of years during the World Grand Prix, and admitted his run to the last four was a confidence boost.

"It has been a good week," said Priestley. "I could make excuses but I won't because when I was moaning about some noise in the crowd Colin didn't and got stuck in.

"When you're a professional player that's what you've got to go on and do.

"I think if Colin can play in the final like he did in the middle part of the game he's going to be okay. He's a young fella, he's confident and has concentration."

Match Stats