Battling Parrott sets up head-to-head with Hendry

For all but the closing moments of his first round match at York’s Barbican Centre, Parrott seemed destined to miss out.

Londoner Barry Hawkins dominated, leading 4-0 from Tuesday’s opening session and then 8-6 in the afternoon after Parrott bravely rallied to 6-6.

In the end the game went to a decider and Hawkins led 48-8 but could not close out the game.

The turning point came when he missed a tricky final green. Parrott potted the three-pointer out of a snooker and cleared up to the pink.

And having lost last frame deciders to Fergal O’Brien and Andy Hicks in recent tournaments, Parrott was thrilled to make it third time lucky.

“To be honest I didn’t have a chance in either of those two games,” said the 30-year-old world number 30 who led O’Brien 4-2 and Hicks 4-1.

“And it looked likely to be the same again today. From 1-0 to 4-0 yesterday I was comprehensively outplayed.

“And from 6-6 to 8-6 I don’t think I missed one ball. But Barry is such a tough competitor.

“He beat me last season shortly after my car crash but he didn’t really have anyone to beat on that occasion. This time I’ve seen how good he is.”

Looking forward to his first meeting with Hendry in three seasons, Parrott said: “He is in decent form.

Scotsman Drew Henry will meet Jimmy White in the last 32 after a 9-7 success over Nottingham’s Michael Holt.

Joe Swail is sick of the sight of fellow Northern Ireland professional Gerard Greene.

Last week Greene won 5-1 in the British Open at Brighton and today he completed a 9-4 victory against the out of sorts twice world championship semi-finalist.

The 30-year-old Kent based now plays former UK finalist Matthew Stevens for a place in the last 16.

Irishman Fergal O’Brien recovered from 5-3 and 8-6 down to clinch a second round date against reigning champion Mark Williams.