Neil Robertson went from composing his victory speech to handing back the Welsh Open trophy after a mental lapse cost him dear at Newport tonight.

A teenager tried hanging herself the day after another girl became the latest young person to die in the same community, her mother said today.

Shaun Murphy, without a trophy since he stunned snooker by winning the 2005 World Championship, took control of the Malta Cup final at the Portomaso Hilton Conference Centre this afternoon.

It has taken Ryan Day eight often frustrating years to secure his first appearance in the semi-finals of a world-ranking event but tonight the Welshman faces Peter Ebdon in the Malta Cup convinced he belongs at the game’s highest level.

After flattering to deceive on many occasions, Ryan Day has booked his long awaited debut in the semi-finals of a world ranking event.