Big guns come out firing
The big guns have come out firing in the men’s singles event at the Australian Open
The big guns have come out firing in the men’s singles event at the $125,000 Australian Open.
Four current Australian representatives have booked their berths in the quarter-finals of the blue-ribbon event this morning, but one of the biggest names in bowls, world number two Brett Wilkie, wasn’t amongst them.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mark Casey demonstrated why he is one of the most feared players on the circuit as he made quick work Torie Babitsch, downing the Bendigo bowler 13-2, 10-4.
“I’m happy with the way I just played,” Casey said after his win.
“My form has been good but it was just good to get onto one of the quicker greens so hopefully I can improve a bit each game now.
“I know it’s the old cliché but I’m still just taking it one game at a time.
“If I can make it into the semi-final in this next one, that would be great.
“The pairs is what Brett (Wilkie) and I are really focusing on, we know it’s important for selection as well as obviously personal honours so we really want to do well there.
“We’ve got David Holt in the next one so it’s going to be really tough.”
While world number five Aron Sherriff was also one of the first to proceed to the quarter-finals after he knocked off Melbourne bowls co-ordinator Todd Simmons in edge of your seat thriller.
The former world champion raced to a 10-4 first set win in eight ends but looked a little uneasy when the tables were turned, with the second set mirroring the first, but the in-form Sherriff had all the shots in his arsenal to claim the tie-break 2-1.
“I knew it was going to be tough against Toddy, he’s an Australian rep and a quality player,” Sherriff said after prevailing.
“I played really well the first set, I didn’t think I dropped off too much but he picked up his game in the second set and there was some big bowls played in the tie-break by both of us, so 2-1 to me was very pleasing.
“I can’t feel it I suppose it is a good position to be in if people are trying extra hard to beat you, I find that a positive. If they’re trying too hard to beat me then maybe that plays into my hands as well.
Casey and Sherriff were joined by Australian teammates Sean Baker and Nathan Rice, with both prevailing in their tie-breaks, while defending champion Leif Selby and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Wayne Turley both advanced in straight sets.
Fate wasn’t as kind to world number two Brett Wilkie however, with the Helensvale star edged out by Warilla’s Jesse Noronha in a gripping tussle, 7-10, 11-6, 3-2.
Click here for full results from the 2012 Australian Open.