Reanne Evans' World Championship bid over after defeat by Lee Walker
- Published
Reanne Evans was looking to become the first woman to reach the main draw of the World Championship
Reanne Evans said she was "gutted" to lose a marathon World Championship second qualifying round tie to Lee Walker.
The 11-time women's world champion fought back from 6-1 down to 9-6 before Welshman Walker sealed it.
"I was in control of most of the frames," Evans told BBC Sport. "I think I should have won every frame in the second session.
"It was 3-3 and it should have been 6-0 easily."
Evans, bidding to become the first woman to reach the main draw, was five behind when the match resumed on Monday, but only six shared frames were possible until the afternoon session was timed out.
When the pair returned in the evening, Evans clawed two more back only for Walker to move within one round of the main draw at the Crucible.
"I think if I'd have pulled one more back I'd have been the favourite," added Evans, who beat Robin Hill in the first qualifying round.
"The buzz off winning that was immense and I couldn't wait to play again. Maybe if it was a day later I'd have been more on the ball. I still felt really good out there."
Evans will not be eligible to qualify for the 2018 World Championship because the 2017 women's event was won by Hong Kong's Ng On Yee.
"Being in this environment make you want to play," said Evans. "Hopefully I'll get to play in them a lot more. At least I know I can compete, even if I'm not playing at my best."
Former world champion Peter Ebdon is also through to the final qualifying round after a 10-9 win over Jack Lisowski.
Another former champion, Mark Williams, scraped through by the same scoreline against Liam Highfield.
However, 1997 winner Ken Doherty was beaten 10-4 by Ben Woollaston and will lose his tour card for next season.
The 2017 World Championship takes place at the Crucible from 15 April until 1 May with world number one Mark Selby looking to retain his title.
- Published6 April 2017
