ROYAL SALUTES HIS WAY INTO THE SECOND ROUND

12 January, 2021

Stowmarket’s Mark Royal was the last winner on Day 5 of the ‘Just’ World Indoor Championships, beating Cardiff’s Damian Doubler in a low scoring 1st Round match 7-4, 6-5 – where fourteen singles and four doubles were scored in the best of two sets of nine end match.

Royal held the upper hard throughout the opening set scoring on six of the nine ends but in the second it was a different matter with Doubler this time leading for most of the set until the closing stages.

Three successive singles mid set gave him a 5-3, seventh end advantage but Royal was not to be denied a victory, chalking up a single then a double to pinch the set 6-5 and take his place in the 2nd Round where he will continue his title challenge against Perry Martin on the morning on Tuesday 19th January.

“I was just happy to get a win. It was a hard grind” said Royal later. “I could never quite get away from Damian. There were no big counts in the game and you couldn’t let up for a minute.

“I’ve got a bit of time now before my next game so I’ll sharpen up on a few things. Yes, I’m looking forward to playing Perry. It should be a good one” smiled Royal.

 

“JUST” World Open Singles

Result

Mark Royal (Eng) bt Damian Doubler (Wales) 7-4, 6-5