Ebdon at the double

Peter Ebdon began his quest for back-to-back world ranking titles by safely negotiating his opening match in the Grand Prix at Telford International Centre yesterday.

Peter Ebdon began his quest for back-to-back world ranking titles by safely negotiating his opening match in the Grand Prix at Telford International Centre yesterday.

The world No 12 picked up where he left off at the British Open by beating Joe Perry 5-3 in the second round yesterday. "I didn't let up after Plymouth," said Ebdon, who ended a barren spell of more than three years by beating Jimmy White in last week's final.

"When the adrenaline wore off I began to feel very tired but I practised hard and arrived here feeling good about my game."

Ebdon struggled in the early stages and fell 2-0 behind. But after breaks of 65, 117 and 56 had taken him 3-2 ahead, he stole the sixth frame on the black - after audaciously doubling the pink the length of the table into a baulk pocket. The match was eventually wrapped up in the eighth.

Ebdon said: "It was a tough match. Joe's a very good player who will be pushing for a top-16 place over the next few years. I've got a lot of respect for him so I'm delighted to get through."

Feargal O'Brien joined Ebdon in the last 16 by squeezing past Bradley Jones 5-4.