David Grace ousts Peter Ebdon in York to earn life-changing windfall

Updated 02/12/2015 at 22:55 GMT

David Grace sailed into the last eight of a ranking event for the first time with a 6-2 win over Peter Ebdon at the UK Championship in York.

David Grace (Picture: World Snooker)

Image credit: Eurosport

The world number 81 partially bankrolls his sporting dream by cleaning tables at a snooker centre, but has now scooped a minimum £20,000 prize for reaching the quarter-finals.

Grace reeled off five of the opening six frames, setting the tone with a match-high break of 84 en route to his impressive victory.

UK Championship

Neil Robertson wins second UK title boosted by stunning 147 break

07/12/2015 at 07:29

"Every match I play here is the biggest of my career," said Grace afterwards.

"I’ve been around a long time and done nothing so I was due a run. I was a bit lucky in the first few frames today, I fluked a few balls. That’s what happens when you’re having a good week.

A week ago I was playing my first match trying to win £4,000, now I’m on £20,000. Events like these can change your life very quickly, I’ve just not done it before now. And hopefully I’m not finished yet.

He will contest a semi-final spot with either Martin Gould or Joe Swail.

Former champion Shaun Murphy went out of the tournament against Marco Fu of Hong Kong, the 2008 winner going down 6-4 in a contest in which he never quite hit his stride.

Mark Selby found life easier as he raced through his encounter with Dechawat Poomjaeng 6-1.

Selby swerved an upset against Jamie Jones in the previous round, eventually coming through 6-5, but never looked in trouble as he notched half centuries in the first five frames – breaks of 82, 58, 106, 86 and 98.

"I should have been put out of the tournament by Jamie the other night," said Selby.

"But having come through that match I’m feeling less pressure, and today I was relaxed and played my own, game.

If I get to the semi-finals I’ll be in the home stretch and starting to focus on the title. But I’ve got another tough match before that.

Latest results and order of play

Wednesday

1pm (UK time)

Peter Ebdon 2-6 David Grace

Dechawat Poomjaeng 1-6 Mark Selby

7pm

Marco Fu 6-4 Shaun Murphy

Luca Brecel 3-5 Matthew Selt

Thursday (best of 11 frames)

1pm

Liang Wenbo v Tom Ford

Neil Robertson v Stephen Maguire

7pm

Martin Gould v Joe Swail

Jamie Burnett v John Higgins

UK Championship

Robertson whitewashes Selby to set up final meeting with Liang Wenbo

06/12/2015 at 15:59

UK Championship

Robertson weathers late Higgins charge

05/12/2015 at 10:50

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me