Defending Champ Alex Lely got off to his customary slow start in this evening's semi-final match but still had enough to put paid to young American Corey Deuel's World Masters hopes here at Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex.

Deuel stormed into an early 3 - 0 lead as the Plague from the Hague failed to get into any kind of early rhythm. Lely, though, had his chance in the 4th rack and won the next four on the spin to find himself 4 - 3 to the good.

22 year-old Corey then nipped into a 5 - 4 lead but TV nerves showed and in the end Lely ran out a 7 - 5 winner.

Afterwards Lely was delighted to make it into the semis; " I missed early on and Corey just ran three racks. I played better yesterday against Jimmy White but for some reason tonight I felt a little more nervous, maybe because I am defending champion. Tonight though, I thought that experience was a big factor and I felt more seasoned in a TV environment than Corey did.

" Last year I was a rookie both in this event and on TV and I had no expectations, which worked in my favour. I had a bad World Championship but that was a one-off but now I feel a lot more consistent and I would like to be able to play to the same standard in every tournament.

" As for the semi-final I don't mind who I play as it will be as easy to beat Reyes as it will be to lose to Petroni. "

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