Get ready for fireworks

An explosive quarter-final draw looms at the BCiB Queensland Open at Bribie Island tomorrow after the big guns continued to fire during today’s third round.

A dream final between 2008 champion Leif Selby, the world number two, and reigning title holder Ash Klose remains a distinct possibility as the pair fought their way through dogged tie-breakers this afternoon.

But before that match up can eventuate, they must first navigate their way through two more clashes, which will not be easy given the caliber remaining in the draw.

In the first quarter-final, Selby will face former Australian teammate and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mark Jacobsen in what looms as an intriguing affair.

While the three-time world champion and Delhi singles representative will start as a slight favourite, Jacobsen has been burning on the Bribie Island greens this week and will be full of confidence after eliminating young gun Jason Carpenter in straight sets.

Selby, however, was made to work a little harder as Pine Rivers’ Aaron Hewson took the opening set before the 37-year-old revived his campaign with a come-from-behind 7-10, 9-1, 4-3 win to stretch his winning streak at the tournament to 14 across all disciplines.

Having missed last year’s event on international duties, Selby’s 2008 campaign included the singles and triples titles, with the NSW powerhouse closing in on his fifth grand prix win.

On the same side of the draw, world number nine Anthony Kiepe will clash with last year’s runner-up, Alex Murtagh, after they accounted for former Australian representatives Barrie Lester and Adam Jeffrey.

Kiepe, playing his first major tournament since contesting the World Cup final in April, has improved round by round throughout the tournament and will now tackle his one-time Pine Rivers teammate after posting a straight sets 10-9, 9-3 win against Lester.

Murtagh continued his run with a 10-4, 8-10, 2-1 triumph over Jeffrey.

In the third quarter-final, Broadbeach’s Sean Baker will vie with Australian Open triples champion Paul Jopson.

While Baker registered a 10-5, 2-9, 5-0 win against Victoria’s Brad Holland, Jopson caused a boil over as he disposed of former world number one Steve Glasson 9-4, 8-2.

The fourth quarter-final will pit reigning Queensland state champion Jamie Anderson against Klose after the former edged his way past Victoria’s Matt Robertson on the extra end of the tie-break.

Klose’s match with Engadine’s David Ferguson was just as tight, with the laconic South Australian prevailing thanks to a superb final bowl in the tie-break.

The quarter-finals of the men’s singles at the BCiB Queensland Open will commence at 8.30am on Monday.

Click here for full results from the BCiB Queensland Open.

Caption: Australian Open triples champion Paul Jopson is through to the quarter-finals of the men’s singles at the BCiB Queensland Open.