BELFAST'S David Corkill ran into a defending champion in determined form in the World Indoor Championships in Preston yesterday. Andy Thomson beat Corkill 7-3 7-6 7-2 in the second round to set up a clash with fellow Englishman Winn Richards.
The players took a little while to get into gear as the opening set moved along slowly, with singles recorded on each of the opening eight ends. Five of them went to Thomson, who then stepped in with a double on the ninth end to take the set 7-3.
Corkill looked set to level when leading 6-3 in the second set but Thomson instantly hit back by notching a double and went on to snatch a 2-0 advantage with a 7-6 win.
The Ulsterman also started the third set well with successive singles - but then disaster struck.
Thomson played a perfect end to count four and a wayward Corkill drive gave his opponent a double on the next end to put the holder within one shot of victory, which he sealed with a single on the next end.
"I had my chances but didn't take them, which left me in all sorts of bother," said Corkill. "Andy's not the sort of player to whom you can give a two-set start."
