Day dawns for Ryan

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.

Day, a 26-year-old from Pontycymmer, near Bridgend has been well thought of since turning professional in 1999, and despite numerous big occasion setbacks firmly believes his breakthrough is a matter of when, not if.

“I practise a lot with Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens. I don’t just give them a game but I beat them quite regularly so I know that its just about bringing those performances to the match table,” said world number 17 Day.

In recent years young guns such as Shaun Murphy, Ding Junhui and Neil Robertson have all lifted major trophies while Day has found making an impact far more difficult than expected.

Yet throughout, his resolve and self-belief have never wavered.

“I think I’m equally as good as those guys and that I can perform in the same vain as them. I would definitely place myself in the same category,” he said.

“Let’s put it this way. When I play them I don’t hold any fear.”

Day, whose girlfriend Lynsey gave birth to their first child, Francesca, six months ago, also maintains that a settled home life is contributing to the effective form that has seen him beat Stevens, Fergal O’Brien and Mark King on the Mediterranean island this week.

“Becoming a father is really a life-changing experience. I used to be a bit of a jack the lad, out every weekend with my mates, but now I’ve got a lot more focus on my snooker and what I want to achieve.”

That was certainly the case during last night’s quarter-finals when Day highlighted his impressive 5-1 victory over Mark King with breaks of 86, 93, 96 and 55.

However, it remains to be seen whether Day, who prospers in fluent, heavy scoring contests, will be able to combat the ultra-methodical, rhythm shattering approach of Peter Ebdon.

The clock had ticked past midnight when Ebdon, looking for back-to-back ranking titles after his UK Championship success in December, rounded off his marathon 5-3 comeback win over Ken Doherty, the Malta Cup holder.

Doherty led 3-1 but the Irishman’s game gradually unravelled as Ebdon relentlessly and unattractively won the closing four frames of a three-hour-30-minute dogfight.

In this afternoon’s first semi-final Ali Carter, the surprise 5-4 conqueror of an ailing Stephen Hendry, tackles 2005 world champion Murphy.

Carter recovered from 4-3 down to reach the last four of a ranking event for only the second time, eight years after his debut there.

But while Hendry refused to offer excuses there was no doubt the Scot was severely handicapped by a bout of gastroenteritis that took hold on the morning of the match.

Hendry felt so poorly that a local doctor was summoned and the contest only went ahead after he had administered an injection to ease the symptoms.

“I was alright at the table because playing took my mind off how bad I felt. The problem was when I was sitting down. I felt awful,” said Hendry, who blamed a dodgy curry at an Indian restaurant not part of the five-star Portomaso Hilton venue.

“There were times this morning when I thought I wasn’t going to be able to go out there.

“But the doctor gave me an injection a couple of hours before we started and that helped me feel a bit better.”

Even so, Hendry felt it necessary to ask for permission, which was granted by tournament director Martin Clark, not to wear his bow tie.

“It was a difficult match to play but I can’t say my illness caused the result. I was well enough to win four frames so I should’ve been able to win five.”

Murphy, looking to capture his first title since triumphing at the Crucible 21 months ago, beat the current world champion Graeme Dott 5-2.