Peach: Most pressure I have ever faced

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DARYL Peach admitted that his controversial victory over Francisco Bustamante was the toughest of his career.

Bustamante had thought he had won the quarter-final match when he sunk a 9-ball with the score at 10-9 in his favour.

But, after a lengthy review of the decision on slow-motion television replays, it was adjudged that the cue-ball had hit the 9-ball before his intended target of the 3-ball and had therefore fouled.

A packed home crowd at the Araneta Coliseum were booing the decision, which had been made in consultation with World Pool Association Sports Director Thomas Overbeck, Head Referee Michaela Tabb and match referee Nigel Rees.

But the match was still in progress and Peach showed an incredible strength of character to bring it back to 10-10, before running out the last rack for a memorable 11-10 triumph.

"That was the most pressure I've ever felt in my life," said Peach.

"When I was in the chair I saw the 3-ball near the 9-ball and I thought there was a chance of him making it in the side.

"So I was waiting for it to go towards the side but it went straight and I thought '9-ball' and was out of my chair straight away.

"I knew it was a foul but it was hard for people to take and it took a long time to resolve.

"All the crowd then got involved thinking he has hit a good shot. I'm not saying it got out of hand but the crowd were trying to influence the decision, which, of course, is totally understandable.

"It was awkward as all the fans wanted Bustamante to win and he is the local favourite but all I could see in the replays was the 9-ball moving.

"I showed a bit of emotion and I was getting a few boos at the end, which is to be expected.

"My arms fell off, I just can't believe I finished the match. I'm feeling brilliant and I'm the first Briton to get to the semi-final in the World Championship. It's massive, it's what dreams are made of."

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