Jacobsen rocks Selby

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mark Jacobsen has prevailed in an engrossing affair with world number two Leif Selby this morning to crash his way into the semi-finals of the men’s singles at the BCiB Queensland Open.

Joining the former Australian star in the round of four was world number nine Anthony Kiepe, Jacobsen’s up-coming opponent, as well as Pine Rivers’ Paul Jopson and defending champion Ashley Klose.

But during this morning’s quarter-finals, all eyes were on Jacobsen and Selby as they waged an epic battle that left the Bribie Island crowd on the edge of their seats.

While Selby entered the match riding a 14-game winning streak, having missed last year’s tournament on international duties, he knew he would have his work cut out for him against the brash Victorian and that’s exactly how it unfolded.

During a tense first set, little separated either player, as Jacobsen finally won the arm-wrestle 6-4 to take the early ascendancy.

The match got even better at the start of the second set as both players traded blows.

While Selby jumped to an early 3-0 lead, Jacobsen immediately hit back as he seemingly made his bowls sing on the 14 second greens, combining touch with raw power as he rocked the seemingly unflappable triple world champion.

In the wash-up, Jacobsen took the second set 7-3 to advance to the semi-finals.

“It was a good game,” Jacobsen acknowledged following his quarter-final victory.

“I said to myself if I can get a set off him I’m happy because he’d probably beat me nine out of 10, but it was the time to get him because I don’t think he was at his best.

“People come and watch me play, I’m an entertainer. I’ve got two more games to go and I’ll be out to win the (BCiB) Queensland Open.”

Standing in his way is a semi-final match up against Kiepe, the reigning Asia Pacific and Australian indoor champion, who edged out last year’s runner-up, Alex Murtagh, in a tie-breaker this morning.

Playing in his first major tournament since contesting the World Cup final in April, Kiepe overcame a slow start to register a 9-11, 14-3, 4-1 triumph.

But the result could have gone the other way if not for a touch of brilliance from the 32-year-old with his final bowl of the tie-break.

Leading 3-1, but down two in the head, Kiepe’s weight control was brilliant as he ended Murtagh’s campaign with a sensational final effort that ended just inches away from the kitty.

In the remaining quarter-finals, Jopson continued his giant killing run with a 3-9, 11-4, 3-1 victory over former Australian under-25 representative Sean Baker.

A day after eliminating Steve Glasson, Jopson, the reigning Australian Open triples champion, added Baker to his scalps and will now meet Klose, who is just two wins away from successfully defending his title.

The South Australian left-hander enjoyed an intriguing battle of his own with reigning Queensland state champion Jamie Anderson, which appeared headed for a tie-breaker, despite splitting the opening set.

Trailing 4-6 playing the final end of the second, Anderson held two in the head, before Klose swopped with his final bowl to trail the jack out the back.

While the Queenslander had one final opportunity to remain alive in the competition, he just failed, allowing Klose to live to fight another day.

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

Click here for full results from the BCiB Queensland Open at Bribie Island.

Caption: Last year’s finalists Ash Klose and Alex Murtagh have endured contrasting fortunes in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles at the BCiB Queensland Open.