SNOOKER / Bond ends drought with semi-final

Nigel Bond, a former English amateur champion, bridged a 30-month gap when he reached the semi-finals of the European Open in Antwerp yesterday.

Bond, the world No 11, beat Ken Doherty 5-3 and must overcome John Parrott or Terry Griffiths if he is to bridge an even bigger gap in his professional career. The 29-year-old last appeared in a ranking tournament semi-final in the 1992 Strachan Professional and his only final appearance was in the 1990 Grand Prix.

"I've been too inconsistent over the years and that's something I'm hoping to put right," said Bond, who has doubled his seasonal earnings following three successive victories here. Breaks of 76, 64, 62, 55 and 50 helped him into the last four.

Doherty, odds-on favourite to go through, said: "This was a disappointing result for me. I had a good draw and a great chance of doing well. In fact, I fancied winning the tournament."