Al Joaker rebounds after sluggish start

UAE snooker stalwart Mohammed Al Joaker turned in a spectacular performance in the last 32 round of the ENOC UAE Snooker Ranking Circuit’s second event on Tuesday night at the Dubai Snooker Club to storm into the last 16 round. Al Joaker, officially ranked No2 in the country, had to shrug off a sluggish start before handing qualifier Abdur Rahman Bu’of a 4-0 defeat. Winner of numerous international honours, Al Joaker did allow his rival to collect 33 points in the opening frame, but totally dominated the match thereafter. Bu’of managed just 17 points in frames 2 and 3. Al Joaker needed just two visits to the table - the first resulting in a run of 47 and the second 59 points - in the fourth frame to end the match at 4-0. Abdur Rahman Saif, runner-up at the first event, was a notch below his best and was duly made to struggle by qualifier Saeed Al Zaabi before managing to salvage a 4-2 victory. Saif did have a fine start as he took the opening two frames with ease, but Al Zaabi then started tightening the noose and rallied to make it 3-2. Saif had a bit of luck in the sixth to stave off a tie and earn a place in the last 16 round, where he faces Ahmed Shehab. Ahmed Shehab ended the comeback trail of former national team player Zayed Al Mazroui 4-2 late on Tuesday night. Ahmed Shehab found himself lagging 2-1 behind but recovered in style to capture three frames in a row for a place in the last 16 round. The second day of the last round matches will be played on Thursday night at the same venue.