Zammit in quarter-finals

Simon Zammit reached another milestone in his snooker career when he qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Championships in Poland.

In a very close match yesterday morning, Zammit had the better of Yannick Poulain of France by the odd frame in nine. Zammit, who eased into the second round after topping Group D, began the game badly, losing the first two frames. However, the Maltese player refused to throw in the towel, drawing level at 2-2 before losing the fifth frame.

Zammit recovered to move 4-3 ahead but the Frenchman hit back to level again. Thus, the game was to be decided in the final frame.

The Maltese cueist opened with a 48-break but Poulain piled on the pressure with a 47, missing out on the last red. This gave Zammit the chance to snatch victory and he duly obliged, clearing up to the blue to take a 21-point lead. He then potted an easy pink to win the match.

Zammit was due to meet Englishman Craig Taylor in the quarter-final yesterday evening.