Harlow on course to defend title

Harlow is the current world number one

Defending champion Greg Harlow reached the International Open quarter-finals with an 8-5 8-5 win over Billy Jackson.

The 38-year-old from Ely is chasing a record third title at Sheffield's Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

Harlow raced to a 7-0 first-set lead before Lincoln's Jackson got going. The second was a closer affair but the world number one pulled through.

He now takes on Welsh qualifier Richard Morgan who ousted seventh seed Ian Bond from Devon 8-5 9-5.

Scottish sixth seed Alex Marshall fell to a 9-3 8-7 defeat at the hands of sixth-seeded Irishman Jonathan Ross.

Marshall's compatriot, fifth seed Paul Foster, dropped a set before reaching the last eight with a 10-1 3-8 2-1 triumph over Kiwi qualifier Jamie Hill.

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Friday's quarter-final line-up:
[15] Mervyn King (Eng) v [13] Mark McMahon (Eng)
[3] David Gourlay (Aus) v [12] Jonathan Ross (Ire)
[1] Greg Harlow (Eng v [Q] Richard Morgan (Wal)
[5] Paul Foster (Sco) v [10] Mark Royal (Eng)