2017 IPA World Championship – Amateurs And Professionals Set To Collide

Just 64 entries, from the original starting field of over 200, remain in this year's IPA Individual World Championship after the second day's action in Bradford.
 
32 players have emerged from the Amateur Rounds and will now face the IPA's top 32 seeded players who were already fixed into the Last 64 of the draw.
 
One of the most well known names to advance was former multiple time World Champion Andy Lucas (England) who beat Welshman Jonathan Bushnell 3 sets to 1.
 
Former IPA professionals and talked about potential title contenders who also got through included Arfan Dad, Jez Graham, Brian Halcrow, John Chambers, Scott Gillespie, Gary Clarke, Simon Fitzsimmons and Andy Blurton.
 
In a real quality match-up, France's Yannick Beaufils - a previous runner up in the WEPF World Championship version, overcame Cory Rees (Wales) 3-1. Last year's IPA Seniors beaten finalist Jeremy Hooper dispatched youngster Shaun Stebbings 3-0.
 
Mark McGauley (who travels to IPA events from Norway) saw off Chris Patrick 3-1 on the live stream table, as did Ian Ali who ousted Jordan Church 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.
 
South African JJ Faul qualified, as too did another French cueist in Pierre-Damien Coz.
 
The draw for the Round of 64 was made later on and inevitably threw up some anticipated clashes.
 
Pre-tournament favourite and Number 1 ranked pro Marc Farnsworth will take on Toby 'Lightning' Bolt, 2014 finalist Clint I'Anson will face Ali and Simon Ward crosses cues with Beaufils.
 
Gareth Hibbott gets the defence of his title underway against Darren McCarthy, whilst reigning BI World Champion Liam Dunster plays McGauley. No one has yet to win both World Titles, yet alone hold both at the same time.
 
Wednesday also saw the start of the Pairs and Seniors (Over 40's) Championships.
 
Both matches selected for the live table in the Pairs went all the way to a 'BlackBall ShootOut' after the scores were tied at 6 frames each. The teams of Jordan Shepherd/Geoff Allen and Arfan Dad/Jason Twist were the ones to ultimately hold their nerve.
 
Defending champions Gareth Hibbott (yes, he done a double last year!) and Dean Shields are still on course to retain after winning their Preliminary and Round One games with the loss of just 4 frames in total.
 
There will however be a brand new name on the Seniors trophy after back to back champion Jason Twist went down 7-5 to fellow tour professional Jason Rimington.