SNOOKER

SHOKAT Ali, Pakistan's leading player, sent Willie Thorne crashing to another first-round defeat in Aberdeen last night.

Ali, his country's captain at the recent World Cup, reached the last 32 of the #330,000 International Open with a 5-2 victory over the out-of-form veteran. Ali next meets Malta's Tony Drago.

Thorne, already down to a career-low No.37 in the provisional rankings, has now lost his opening match in six out of nine events this season.

World No.76 Ali, a resident of Accrington, and with an accent to match, established a 4-0 lead at the interval, including a 113 break. He had the chance to overhaul Scot Billy Snaddon's 137 total clearance as the highest break but, with the remaining colours at his mercy, he missed a simple green off its spot.

Earlier, Steve James, down to No.24 in the rankings, registered only his fourth win in eight tournaments this season by defeating Bristol's Jamie Woodman 5-3. His opponent on Monday will be Stoke's Dave Harold, who beat Brian Morgan 5-3.