Former UAE Under 21 number two player Mansoor Al Saleh brought some of his fluid magic to the table on day seven of the 22nd Sharp Cosmos UAE Open Snooker Championship.
Twenty-two-years-old Al Saleh, looking physically much thinner and leaner than in the past, used his delicate touch to elegantly sweep past much older Obaid Al Mansoori to book his place in the next round against youngest entrant to the event, 12-year-old Khalid Ali Kamali.
Al Saleh said: "I have not played that well this week, so I have to do lots more practice before my next match."
Two time champion of the event Masood Akil used his cunning guile to overcome crafty Shabbir Hussain in a battle of wits that lasted a good two hours, relying on focused mental stamina to carry himself through.
Akil was again his extrovert self after the match, talking about his hopes in further rounds.
Former UAE team star Khalfan Buamim weathered a mini storm in the second frame of his 3-0 whitewash to beat Saudi Arabia's safety guru Saeed Samman.
Having a black ball game, many chances were missed by both players, but it was Buamim who slotted the last ball nicely into a baulk pocket with the rest accessory.
This put him onto a higher plane altogether, and he started the next game in a better vein, potting a tremendous long red down the side cushion to start an easily won third frame which completed his efficient whitewash.
Results: Mando Fernando 3 Mutawakil 1; Mohammad Housani 3 Saeed Al Hamily 2; Doctor Ali Shaheen 3 Vijay Leewa 1; Khalfan Buamim 3 Saeed Samman 0; Mansoor Al Saleh 3 Obaid Al Mansoori 0; Masood Akil 3 Shabbir Hussain 1.
