Snooker
- Thread starter The Uncouth
- Start date
Judd Trump a sportsman I got wrong, normally have a good sense about sportsman in general, thought Judd Trump was overhyped, mentally unequipped , fair weather player who would never reach his potential. How wrong can you be.
He is genuinely one of the all time best now, not completely bombproof like Hendry was in his pomp, but not far off and probably even more talented.
He is genuinely one of the all time best now, not completely bombproof like Hendry was in his pomp, but not far off and probably even more talented.
Totally agree O Outlander
Delboy99
Dam
.... yes, he seems as if he will be the dominant force over the next few years unless we have another whiz kid come along and prove us wrong. Would be nice to see a young ‘Ronnie’ emerge with the talent but a bit less to say.
Delboy99
Dam
Judd Trump is two frames away from defending his German Masters title after opening up a 7-1 lead over Jack Lisowski.
After fighting back from the brink of defeat against Barry Hawkins in the semi-finals, Trump is the one doing the front running at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes - despite being some way short of his best.
The pair met in the final of the World Grand Prix in December, and the match is following a similar pattern to when Trump raced into a 7-2 lead and held off a fightback in the evening to take the title 10-7.
Lisowski is seeking his first ranking title, but he will need to up his level in the evening session against a player who has an 8-5 winning record in their previous meetings.
Lisowski laid an early marker with a brilliant red from his opening shot of the match, but he missed a black off its spot and Trump made a break of 56. The world number one did not seal the opener and both had chances as the frame became scrappy, but it was Trump who eventually potted the yellow he needed to edge ahead in the match.
Lisowski won a safety exchange in the second and took full advantage as a break of 67 was enough to seal the frame.
Trump took the third frame with a break of 65 after Lisowski left him an inviting table when failing to get safe from a snooker behind the black.
Trump looked down and out at 5-1 behind against Barry Hawkins in his semi-final, but reeled off three centuries on the spin to stun his opponent.
The confidence gained in the 6-5 win was carried into the first session of his clash with Lisowski, and he claimed the fourth despite finding himself in a fiendish snooker.
Lisowski did not capitalise on the chance he was given, missing a tough green, and Trump pounced to open up a two-frame lead at the mid-session interval.
The frame after the interval followed a similar path to the first of the match, and it went the same way. Lisowski had his chance but failed to take it and Trump won a scrappy affair to extend his lead to three frames.
Lisowski’s form had been excellent in his run to the final, but the fluency deserted him on Sunday afternoon and he also lost the tight frames.
He had a decent opportunity in the sixth, but failed to pot a mid-range red and Trump stepped in with a 72 to take a stranglehold on the match.
After fighting back from the brink of defeat against Barry Hawkins in the semi-finals, Trump is the one doing the front running at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes - despite being some way short of his best.
The pair met in the final of the World Grand Prix in December, and the match is following a similar pattern to when Trump raced into a 7-2 lead and held off a fightback in the evening to take the title 10-7.
Lisowski is seeking his first ranking title, but he will need to up his level in the evening session against a player who has an 8-5 winning record in their previous meetings.
Lisowski laid an early marker with a brilliant red from his opening shot of the match, but he missed a black off its spot and Trump made a break of 56. The world number one did not seal the opener and both had chances as the frame became scrappy, but it was Trump who eventually potted the yellow he needed to edge ahead in the match.
Lisowski won a safety exchange in the second and took full advantage as a break of 67 was enough to seal the frame.
Trump took the third frame with a break of 65 after Lisowski left him an inviting table when failing to get safe from a snooker behind the black.
Trump looked down and out at 5-1 behind against Barry Hawkins in his semi-final, but reeled off three centuries on the spin to stun his opponent.
The confidence gained in the 6-5 win was carried into the first session of his clash with Lisowski, and he claimed the fourth despite finding himself in a fiendish snooker.
Lisowski did not capitalise on the chance he was given, missing a tough green, and Trump pounced to open up a two-frame lead at the mid-session interval.
The frame after the interval followed a similar path to the first of the match, and it went the same way. Lisowski had his chance but failed to take it and Trump won a scrappy affair to extend his lead to three frames.
Lisowski’s form had been excellent in his run to the final, but the fluency deserted him on Sunday afternoon and he also lost the tight frames.
He had a decent opportunity in the sixth, but failed to pot a mid-range red and Trump stepped in with a 72 to take a stranglehold on the match.
Delboy99
Dam
Judd Trump feels close friend Jack Lisowski should not feel too disheartened despite losing 9-2 in a one-sided German Masters final on Sunday.
While Trump extended his lead as the sport's undisputed world number one with a remarkable 21st win in 32 ranking finals since 2011, Lisowski was left licking his wounds after being mauled in Milton Keynes.
Lisowski earned £35,000 as he moves up from 14 to a career-best 11 in the rankings, but remains without an elusive first major title having lost all five of his ranking finals over the past three years to Trump (twice), Neil Robertson (twice) and Mark Selby as his trophy drought continues.
Having contested the World Grand Prix final last month that saw Trump earn a 10-7 victory over Lisowski, the duo ended a unique 26-year wait for the same players to contest back-to-back ranking finals since John Higgins and Steve Davis in 1995.
Trump believes snooker's school of hard knocks could ultimately prove a blessing in disguise for the 29-year-old Lisowski, who turned professional in 2010.
"It's tough, I've been there and taken tough losses in finals," said Trump.
He moves onto £1,924,500 in prize money with UK champion Robertson a distant second on £1,030,500.
Lisowski faces Peter Devlin in the first round of the Shoot Out which begins on Thursday and is live on Eurosport with Trump, who misses the Shoot Out, due to return to action at the Championship League on 8 February.
He will bid for a fifth ranking victory of the season at the Welsh Open staged by Celtic Manor between Monday 15 February and Sunday 21 February.
While Trump extended his lead as the sport's undisputed world number one with a remarkable 21st win in 32 ranking finals since 2011, Lisowski was left licking his wounds after being mauled in Milton Keynes.
Lisowski earned £35,000 as he moves up from 14 to a career-best 11 in the rankings, but remains without an elusive first major title having lost all five of his ranking finals over the past three years to Trump (twice), Neil Robertson (twice) and Mark Selby as his trophy drought continues.
Having contested the World Grand Prix final last month that saw Trump earn a 10-7 victory over Lisowski, the duo ended a unique 26-year wait for the same players to contest back-to-back ranking finals since John Higgins and Steve Davis in 1995.
Trump believes snooker's school of hard knocks could ultimately prove a blessing in disguise for the 29-year-old Lisowski, who turned professional in 2010.
"It's tough, I've been there and taken tough losses in finals," said Trump.
"The form he's showing is top eight or top five in the world. To get to two finals in a row, there's not many players who have done that before.
He moves onto £1,924,500 in prize money with UK champion Robertson a distant second on £1,030,500.
Lisowski faces Peter Devlin in the first round of the Shoot Out which begins on Thursday and is live on Eurosport with Trump, who misses the Shoot Out, due to return to action at the Championship League on 8 February.
He will bid for a fifth ranking victory of the season at the Welsh Open staged by Celtic Manor between Monday 15 February and Sunday 21 February.
Delboy99
Dam
Judd Trump has taken top spot in the BetVictor European Series rankings after three of the six events.
Trump beat Jack Lisowski 9-2 in the final of the BildBet German Masters on Sunday to take the £80,000 top prize, and that brought his tally for the BetVictor European Series so far to £120,500, giving him a lead of £32,500 over second placed Mark Selby.
There are three more counting events: the BetVictor Shoot Out, BetVictor Welsh Open and BetVictor Gibraltar Open. The player who tops the rankings will earn a £150,000 bonus. Trump banked that bonus last year and is on course for another lucrative season.
Trump also extended his lead at the top of the one-year ranking list. He has earned £450,500 from ranking events so far this season and leads second-placed Neil Robertson by £204,500.
This list will be used to determine the field for the Players Championship which will run from February 22 to 28. There are just two counting events remaining – the BetVictor Shoot Out and BetVictor Welsh Open – then the top 16 will earn a place in the draw.
Lisowski’s runner-up prize of £35,000 moved him up from sixth to fourth. Semi-finalist Tom Ford pocketed £20,000 and he is up from 43rd to 20th while Barry Hawkins also reached the last four and he climbs from 12th to eighth. Jordan Brown reached the quarter-finals of a ranking event for the first time in his career and he jumps from 49th to 33rd. Anthony McGill is currently ‘on the bubble’ in 16th with £44,000.
As it stands, there are seven players inside the top 16 of the one-year list who are outside the top 16 of the official two-year list. Big names including Yan Bingtao, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, Mark Williams and Stephen Maguire are currently outside the top 16 so have work to do over the next two events.
The same list will be used to determined the field for the Tour Championship (March 22 to 28) with only the top eight to qualify.
On the two-year list, Trump extends his gargantuan lead at the top to £894,000, with Robertson second. Lisowski is up three spots to 11th.
There are six counting events remaining in the Race to the Crucible. Zhou Yuelong is currently 15th on that list and on course to be seeded for the Betfred World Championship for the first time. But just £26,750 separates him from Stuart Bingham in 22nd place, so it is sure to be a fiercely fought race over the coming weeks.
Trump beat Jack Lisowski 9-2 in the final of the BildBet German Masters on Sunday to take the £80,000 top prize, and that brought his tally for the BetVictor European Series so far to £120,500, giving him a lead of £32,500 over second placed Mark Selby.There are three more counting events: the BetVictor Shoot Out, BetVictor Welsh Open and BetVictor Gibraltar Open. The player who tops the rankings will earn a £150,000 bonus. Trump banked that bonus last year and is on course for another lucrative season.
Trump also extended his lead at the top of the one-year ranking list. He has earned £450,500 from ranking events so far this season and leads second-placed Neil Robertson by £204,500.
This list will be used to determine the field for the Players Championship which will run from February 22 to 28. There are just two counting events remaining – the BetVictor Shoot Out and BetVictor Welsh Open – then the top 16 will earn a place in the draw.
Lisowski’s runner-up prize of £35,000 moved him up from sixth to fourth. Semi-finalist Tom Ford pocketed £20,000 and he is up from 43rd to 20th while Barry Hawkins also reached the last four and he climbs from 12th to eighth. Jordan Brown reached the quarter-finals of a ranking event for the first time in his career and he jumps from 49th to 33rd. Anthony McGill is currently ‘on the bubble’ in 16th with £44,000.
As it stands, there are seven players inside the top 16 of the one-year list who are outside the top 16 of the official two-year list. Big names including Yan Bingtao, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, Mark Williams and Stephen Maguire are currently outside the top 16 so have work to do over the next two events.
The same list will be used to determined the field for the Tour Championship (March 22 to 28) with only the top eight to qualify.
On the two-year list, Trump extends his gargantuan lead at the top to £894,000, with Robertson second. Lisowski is up three spots to 11th.
There are six counting events remaining in the Race to the Crucible. Zhou Yuelong is currently 15th on that list and on course to be seeded for the Betfred World Championship for the first time. But just £26,750 separates him from Stuart Bingham in 22nd place, so it is sure to be a fiercely fought race over the coming weeks.
Delboy99
Dam
The Snooker Shoot Out returns this week although it will be very different from normal, with the usually rowdy event taking place behind closed doors in Milton Keynes. The unique one-frame format event usually sees a vocal crowd getting involved, but the supporters will be absent this time round. It will still be fast and furious, though, as Michael Holt looks to become the first man to retain the title and win it twice. The Hitman has become something of a specialist after reaching the last two finals. All the action will be shown on Eurosport and the Eurosport app in the UK.
When is the Snooker Shoot Out? The Shoot Out runs from Thursday 4 – Sunday 7 February at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes. Sessions start at 1pm and 7pm. Snooker Shoot Out draw and schedule Thursday 4 February 13:00 Jamie Jones v Michael Holt 13:10 Steven Hallworth v Declan Lavery 13:20 David Grace v Lu Ning 13:30 Ken Doherty v Jamie Curtis-Barrett 13:40 Oliver Lines v Robbie Williams 13:50 Allan Taylor v Jackson Page 14:00 Rebecca Kenna v Simon Lichtenberg 14:10 Zhou Yuelong v Ian Burns 14:20 Matthew Stevens v Fergal Quinn 14:30 Sam Craigie v Phil O’Kane 14:40 Lee Walker v Ashley Carty 14:50 Brian Ochoiski v Eden Sharav 15:00 Dean Young v Riley Parsons 15:10 Aaron Hill v Andy Hicks 15:20 Liang Wenbo v Gao Yang 15:30 Mark Allen v Jimmy Robertson 19:00 Ali Carter v Mark Williams 19:10 Martin O’Donnell v Ben Woollaston 19:20 Anthony Hamilton v Robert Milkins 19:30 Andrew Higginson v Mark Joyce 19:40 Luca Brecel v Shaun Murphy 19:50 Joe O’Connor v Leo Fernandez 20:00 Fraser Patrick v Gerard Greene 20:10 Michael White v Mark King 20:20 Billy Joe Castle v Mark Selby 20:30 Farakh Ajaib v Hossein Vafaei 20:40 Duane Jones v Sean Maddocks 20:50 David Gilbert v Lei Peifan 21:00 Stuart Carrington v Connor Benzey 21:10 David Lilley v Lyu Haotian 21:20 Rory McLeod v Stuart Bingham 21:30 Kyren Wilson v Robbie McGuigan.
When is the Snooker Shoot Out? The Shoot Out runs from Thursday 4 – Sunday 7 February at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes. Sessions start at 1pm and 7pm. Snooker Shoot Out draw and schedule Thursday 4 February 13:00 Jamie Jones v Michael Holt 13:10 Steven Hallworth v Declan Lavery 13:20 David Grace v Lu Ning 13:30 Ken Doherty v Jamie Curtis-Barrett 13:40 Oliver Lines v Robbie Williams 13:50 Allan Taylor v Jackson Page 14:00 Rebecca Kenna v Simon Lichtenberg 14:10 Zhou Yuelong v Ian Burns 14:20 Matthew Stevens v Fergal Quinn 14:30 Sam Craigie v Phil O’Kane 14:40 Lee Walker v Ashley Carty 14:50 Brian Ochoiski v Eden Sharav 15:00 Dean Young v Riley Parsons 15:10 Aaron Hill v Andy Hicks 15:20 Liang Wenbo v Gao Yang 15:30 Mark Allen v Jimmy Robertson 19:00 Ali Carter v Mark Williams 19:10 Martin O’Donnell v Ben Woollaston 19:20 Anthony Hamilton v Robert Milkins 19:30 Andrew Higginson v Mark Joyce 19:40 Luca Brecel v Shaun Murphy 19:50 Joe O’Connor v Leo Fernandez 20:00 Fraser Patrick v Gerard Greene 20:10 Michael White v Mark King 20:20 Billy Joe Castle v Mark Selby 20:30 Farakh Ajaib v Hossein Vafaei 20:40 Duane Jones v Sean Maddocks 20:50 David Gilbert v Lei Peifan 21:00 Stuart Carrington v Connor Benzey 21:10 David Lilley v Lyu Haotian 21:20 Rory McLeod v Stuart Bingham 21:30 Kyren Wilson v Robbie McGuigan.
Delboy99
Dam
Ronnie O’Sullivan fancies Michael Holt to create a piece of history and become the first player to win the Snooker Shoot Out twice this weekend. Holt comes into the event as the defending champion, having also reached the final in 2019 as well. The Hitman has won more matches than any other player in the history of this event (23), with Graeme Dott his closest rival on that score (20). The 42-year-old is becoming something of a specialist in the unique one-frame format, played under a shot clock and the Rocket can see Holt succeeding again.
‘Michael Holt’s got a good record here, I know he won it last year, he made the final another year,’ O’Sullivan told Eurosport. ‘If I was looking to pick someone he’s obviously found a recipe that suits this tournament well. ‘He must have a bit of an advantage going into this tournament so if I was a betting man I’d put my money on Michael Holt.
O’Sullivan made his prediction just before Holt opened the tournament with victory over Jamie Jones in the first match of the event. It was a dominant 95-1 win for the Hitman and he backed up the Rocket’s assertion that he is the man to beat over the next four days. Holt tried to explain why he has such expertise at the Shoot Out, believing the time restrictions saves him from overthinking, a problem he has in normal events. ‘My problem is I’m a thinker, stuff will pop in there, like the Stay Puft Marshmallow man in Ghostbusters, it just pops in there,’ Holt told Metro.co.uk. ‘My mind is like a Royal Rumble, each wrestler is a thought trying to get my attention, when I’m under pressure they’ll stick another 20 in. ‘I slow myself down from overthinking. Obviously at the Shoot Out I have to just play the first shot I see, which is usually the right one. It’s when you start second guessing yourself, that’s the problem. ‘I’ve been really lucky as well, lucky in that no one has just gone and made 70 against me, because there’s nothing you can do about it. I think that’s where I’ve been luckiest, because someone hasn’t just gone and won.
‘Michael Holt’s got a good record here, I know he won it last year, he made the final another year,’ O’Sullivan told Eurosport. ‘If I was looking to pick someone he’s obviously found a recipe that suits this tournament well. ‘He must have a bit of an advantage going into this tournament so if I was a betting man I’d put my money on Michael Holt.
O’Sullivan made his prediction just before Holt opened the tournament with victory over Jamie Jones in the first match of the event. It was a dominant 95-1 win for the Hitman and he backed up the Rocket’s assertion that he is the man to beat over the next four days. Holt tried to explain why he has such expertise at the Shoot Out, believing the time restrictions saves him from overthinking, a problem he has in normal events. ‘My problem is I’m a thinker, stuff will pop in there, like the Stay Puft Marshmallow man in Ghostbusters, it just pops in there,’ Holt told Metro.co.uk. ‘My mind is like a Royal Rumble, each wrestler is a thought trying to get my attention, when I’m under pressure they’ll stick another 20 in. ‘I slow myself down from overthinking. Obviously at the Shoot Out I have to just play the first shot I see, which is usually the right one. It’s when you start second guessing yourself, that’s the problem. ‘I’ve been really lucky as well, lucky in that no one has just gone and made 70 against me, because there’s nothing you can do about it. I think that’s where I’ve been luckiest, because someone hasn’t just gone and won.
Delboy99
Dam
Mark Allen compiled a marvellous 142 total clearance on ThursdayMark Allen compiled a marvellous 142 total clearance on Thursday to break the record for the highest break in Snooker Shoot Out history.
The 34 year-old’s slick turn came during his first-round fixture against Jimmy Robertson, as proceedings in the quick-fire tournament got under way at the Marshall Arena.
The excellent contribution eclipses the previous record of 139 that was made when Thepchaiya Un-Nooh became the Snooker Shoot Out king in 2019.
Allen advances to the second round for the first time since 2016 but will have to wait to see which opponent he draws next.
At 14/1, the former Masters champion is currently the second favourite for glory this year, although odds don’t count for too much in this unpredictable event.
Elsewhere, Mark Selby reached the last 64 with a much tighter 41-31 success against Billy Joe Castle, while defending champion Michael Holt eased through with an 87 break against Jamie Jones.
As usual, there were several close encounters where the outcomes where decided near the final buzzer.
Sam Craigie won a dramatic blue-ball respot after the Englishman finished level on points with Phil O’Kane – one of the many amateur top-ups competing in this week’s ranking event.
Matthew Stevens prevailed on the final black with seconds to spare against Fergal Quinn, and there were narrow victories for last year’s runner-up Zhou Yuelong and top-16 member David Gilbert.
Among the others to advance on the opening day of action were Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams, Liang Wenbo, and Ken Doherty.
Five of the amateur top-ups, with many drafted in at the last minute following a wave of withdrawals, also reached the second round – including former champion Michael White.
The first round will conclude on Friday with the likes of John Higgins, Jack Lisowski, and Jimmy White set to take part.
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Delboy99
Dam
The Snooker Shoot Out has provided plenty of drama, excitement and unusual circumstances over the first two days and 64 men remain as they battle it out for the £50,000 top prize. There are not really serious upsets in the one-frame format, but there have been a few big names falling early, including Jack Lisowski, Stuart Bingham, Luca Brecel and Tom Ford falling at the first hurdle. The new favourite to lift the title is a man you wouldn’t necesarily associate with the fast-paced chaos of the Shoot Out, but there is no denying the quality of Mark Selby, who the bookies now fancy for glory on Sunday night. The Jester from Leicester takes on Barry Pinches in the last 64 on Saturday after beating Billy Castle in the first round.
Also among the favourites heading into the second round are Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy, after Allen knocked in the biggest break in the history of the tournament (142) in his first round win over Jimmy Robertson. Defending champion Michael Holt remains and takes on Matthew Stevens next up, while the likes of John Higgins, David Gilbert and Barry Hawkins are all also hunting down the top prize. Higgins takes on former champion Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in one of the ties of the second round, while Gilbert facing Lisowski’s conqueror Peter Devlin is another one to look out for. Snooker Shoot Out second round draw and schedule 13:00 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh v John Higgins 13:10 Robert Milkins v Ben Mertens 13:20 Xiao Guodong v Robbie Williams 13:30 Noppon Saengkham v Nigel Bond 13:40 Jimmy White v Gerard Greene 13:50 Leo Fernandez v Declan Lavery 14:00 Martin O’Donnell v Simon Lichtenberg 14:10 Andy Hicks v Ian Martin 14:20 Hossein Vafaei v Mark Williams 14:30 Eden Sharav v Liang Wenbo 14:40 Duane Jones v Hamim Hussain 14:50 Mark Joyce v Alexander Ursenbacher 15:00 Mitchell Mann v Ken Doherty 15:10 Michael White v Rory McLeod 15:20 Louis Heathcote v Sean Harvey 15:30 Matthew Stevens v Michael Holt 19:00 Mark Allen v Dylan Emery 19:10 Alan McManus v Martin Gould 19:20 Jamie Wilson v Craig Steadman 19:30 Chris Wakelin v Joe Perry 19:40 David Gilbert v Peter Devlin 19:50 Lyu Haotian v Jordan Brown 20:00 Elliot Slessor v Sam Craigie 20:10 Saqib Nasir v Ben Hancorn 20:20 Barry Pinches v Mark Selby 20:30 Ryan Day v Ashley Carty 20:40 Haydon Pinhey v Riley Parsons 20:50 David Grace v Kuldesh Johal 21:00 Zhou Yuelong v Barry Hawkins 21:10 Sunny Akani v John J Astley 21:20 Liam Highfield v Connor Benzey 21:30 Shaun Murphy v Allan Taylor.
Also among the favourites heading into the second round are Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy, after Allen knocked in the biggest break in the history of the tournament (142) in his first round win over Jimmy Robertson. Defending champion Michael Holt remains and takes on Matthew Stevens next up, while the likes of John Higgins, David Gilbert and Barry Hawkins are all also hunting down the top prize. Higgins takes on former champion Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in one of the ties of the second round, while Gilbert facing Lisowski’s conqueror Peter Devlin is another one to look out for. Snooker Shoot Out second round draw and schedule 13:00 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh v John Higgins 13:10 Robert Milkins v Ben Mertens 13:20 Xiao Guodong v Robbie Williams 13:30 Noppon Saengkham v Nigel Bond 13:40 Jimmy White v Gerard Greene 13:50 Leo Fernandez v Declan Lavery 14:00 Martin O’Donnell v Simon Lichtenberg 14:10 Andy Hicks v Ian Martin 14:20 Hossein Vafaei v Mark Williams 14:30 Eden Sharav v Liang Wenbo 14:40 Duane Jones v Hamim Hussain 14:50 Mark Joyce v Alexander Ursenbacher 15:00 Mitchell Mann v Ken Doherty 15:10 Michael White v Rory McLeod 15:20 Louis Heathcote v Sean Harvey 15:30 Matthew Stevens v Michael Holt 19:00 Mark Allen v Dylan Emery 19:10 Alan McManus v Martin Gould 19:20 Jamie Wilson v Craig Steadman 19:30 Chris Wakelin v Joe Perry 19:40 David Gilbert v Peter Devlin 19:50 Lyu Haotian v Jordan Brown 20:00 Elliot Slessor v Sam Craigie 20:10 Saqib Nasir v Ben Hancorn 20:20 Barry Pinches v Mark Selby 20:30 Ryan Day v Ashley Carty 20:40 Haydon Pinhey v Riley Parsons 20:50 David Grace v Kuldesh Johal 21:00 Zhou Yuelong v Barry Hawkins 21:10 Sunny Akani v John J Astley 21:20 Liam Highfield v Connor Benzey 21:30 Shaun Murphy v Allan Taylor.
Delboy99
Dam
Mark Williams showed timing is everything, as he potted a red just as the clock ticked down to zero to beat Xiao Guodong 29-28 to reach the last 16 of the Snooker Shoot Out.
The pair were locked together in the final two minutes of the match and a bout of safety looked certain to set up a blue ball shoot out.
However, Xiao was a little lax with a safety with 10 seconds left on the clock and Williams ran to the table, albeit more in hope than expectation as the balls were still moving as time ticked down.
The rules stipulate that the final shot counts if the ball was struck before zero, and the red dropped into the bottom-left pocket to secure victory for the three-time world champion.
“I can’t believe he didn’t roll the ball onto the cushion as the time would have run out,” Williams told Eurosport. “He played a safety and a red went up into baulk.
“I looked at it and thought if I pot it, I win. I was counting down the clock, five, four, three, two, one and then I hit it and it went in.”
Williams is a fan of the event, although he feels ranking points should not be available.
“I always enjoy it,” he said. “I played it when it wasn’t a ranking tournament. I don’t enjoy it as much as my kids enjoy it, but it is good fun.
The pair were locked together in the final two minutes of the match and a bout of safety looked certain to set up a blue ball shoot out.
However, Xiao was a little lax with a safety with 10 seconds left on the clock and Williams ran to the table, albeit more in hope than expectation as the balls were still moving as time ticked down.
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The rules stipulate that the final shot counts if the ball was struck before zero, and the red dropped into the bottom-left pocket to secure victory for the three-time world champion.
“I can’t believe he didn’t roll the ball onto the cushion as the time would have run out,” Williams told Eurosport. “He played a safety and a red went up into baulk.
“I looked at it and thought if I pot it, I win. I was counting down the clock, five, four, three, two, one and then I hit it and it went in.”
Williams is a fan of the event, although he feels ranking points should not be available.
“I always enjoy it,” he said. “I played it when it wasn’t a ranking tournament. I don’t enjoy it as much as my kids enjoy it, but it is good fun.
Delboy99
Dam
Ryan Day thought career was in the balance before dramatic Snooker Shoot Out win.
Ryan Day Ryan Day got his hands on a third ranking title on Sunday night (Picture: WST) Ryan Day was considering his future in the sport and felt his career could be nearing the end before a superb Snooker Shoot Out win on Sunday night. The Welshman beat Mark Selby to win the chaotic one-frame format event and pocket £50,000 in the process. Despite being as high as number four in the world in his pomp, Dynamite had slipped all the way down to #50 after a poor run of results, and he admitted he was fearing for his place on tour. The big win has seen the 40-year-old shoot all the way back up to #32, though, and has given him the confidence that comes with winning a third ranking event of his career, a place in next season’s Champion of Champions event and this year’s Players Championship later this month.
After a downward slide, it looks like the veteran is back on the way up and thoughts of an early retirement are now off the table. ‘I’ve been struggling in the ranking terms for a couple of seasons now and there was probably a possibility that I could fall off the tour if I wasn’t too careful back end of the season,’ Day told Eurosport. ‘This is obviously going to help massively and you never know what doors it could open in a year or two’s time. ‘I’m made up, it’s going to bring a few quid my way and it might start me off with a bit of confidence so I can win matches in a proper tournament. ‘I’ve been in and out of love with the game, so hopefully this is going to ignite that. ‘A lot of players have won this in the past and gone on to bigger and better things, so hopefully it will be the same for me.’
Ryan Day Ryan Day got his hands on a third ranking title on Sunday night (Picture: WST) Ryan Day was considering his future in the sport and felt his career could be nearing the end before a superb Snooker Shoot Out win on Sunday night. The Welshman beat Mark Selby to win the chaotic one-frame format event and pocket £50,000 in the process. Despite being as high as number four in the world in his pomp, Dynamite had slipped all the way down to #50 after a poor run of results, and he admitted he was fearing for his place on tour. The big win has seen the 40-year-old shoot all the way back up to #32, though, and has given him the confidence that comes with winning a third ranking event of his career, a place in next season’s Champion of Champions event and this year’s Players Championship later this month.
After a downward slide, it looks like the veteran is back on the way up and thoughts of an early retirement are now off the table. ‘I’ve been struggling in the ranking terms for a couple of seasons now and there was probably a possibility that I could fall off the tour if I wasn’t too careful back end of the season,’ Day told Eurosport. ‘This is obviously going to help massively and you never know what doors it could open in a year or two’s time. ‘I’m made up, it’s going to bring a few quid my way and it might start me off with a bit of confidence so I can win matches in a proper tournament. ‘I’ve been in and out of love with the game, so hopefully this is going to ignite that. ‘A lot of players have won this in the past and gone on to bigger and better things, so hopefully it will be the same for me.’
Delboy99
Dam
Ryan Day has flown 49 places up the one-year ranking list thanks to his victory in the BetVictor Shoot Out.
Day hadn’t previously gone beyond the last 32 of a ranking event for almost two years
Day beat Mark Selby in the final on Sunday to win his first ranking title in three years, and the £50,000 top prize sees his jump from 59th to tenth.
After next week’s BetVictor Welsh Open (February 15 to 21), the top 16 on that list will qualify for the Cazoo Players Championship (February 22 to 28). Day is sure of a top 16 spot, and he could yet climb into the top eight and earn a place in the Cazoo Tour Championship, which runs from March 22 to 28.
Mark Williams reached the semi-finals on Sunday and the £8,000 prize sees him climb from 40th to 31st. But he’ll need another deep run at Celtic Manor next week to jump into the top 16.
Currently ‘on the bubble’ in 16th place is Zhao Xintong with £46,500, just ahead of Joe Perry (£44,500) and Anthony McGill (£44,000). With a £70,000 top prize available at the BetVictor Welsh Open, every player in the field still has a chance. Next week’s prize money breakdown is:
Winner: £70,000
Runner-up: £30,000
Semi-finals: £20,000
Quarter-finals: £10,000
Last 16: £7,500
Last 32: £4,000
Last 64: £3,000
As it stands, there are seven players inside the top 16 of the one-year list who are outside the top 16 of the official two-year list. Top stars Shaun Murphy (20th), Yan Bingtao (23rd), Mark Allen (30th), Mark Williams (31st) and Stephen Maguire (42nd) all need a large cheque next week to get into the Cazoo Players Championship.
Selby banked £20,000 as BetVictor Shoot Out runner-up and he closes the gap on Judd Trump at the top of the BetVictor European Series rankings, with just two events to go.
Trump still leads the way with £120,500, but Selby is just £12,500 behind on £108,000. The two remaining counting events are the BetVictor Welsh Open and BetVictor Gibraltar Open, then the player top of the list will earn a massive £150,000 bonus.
On the two-year list, Day is up 18 places from 50th to 32nd, while Selby remains fourth.
There are five counting events remaining in the Race to the Crucible. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh is in 17th place and his run to the last 16 of the the BetVictor Shoot Out moved him within £250 of Barry Hawkins in 16th.
Day hadn’t previously gone beyond the last 32 of a ranking event for almost two years
Day beat Mark Selby in the final on Sunday to win his first ranking title in three years, and the £50,000 top prize sees his jump from 59th to tenth.
After next week’s BetVictor Welsh Open (February 15 to 21), the top 16 on that list will qualify for the Cazoo Players Championship (February 22 to 28). Day is sure of a top 16 spot, and he could yet climb into the top eight and earn a place in the Cazoo Tour Championship, which runs from March 22 to 28.
Mark Williams reached the semi-finals on Sunday and the £8,000 prize sees him climb from 40th to 31st. But he’ll need another deep run at Celtic Manor next week to jump into the top 16.
Currently ‘on the bubble’ in 16th place is Zhao Xintong with £46,500, just ahead of Joe Perry (£44,500) and Anthony McGill (£44,000). With a £70,000 top prize available at the BetVictor Welsh Open, every player in the field still has a chance. Next week’s prize money breakdown is:
Winner: £70,000
Runner-up: £30,000
Semi-finals: £20,000
Quarter-finals: £10,000
Last 16: £7,500
Last 32: £4,000
Last 64: £3,000
As it stands, there are seven players inside the top 16 of the one-year list who are outside the top 16 of the official two-year list. Top stars Shaun Murphy (20th), Yan Bingtao (23rd), Mark Allen (30th), Mark Williams (31st) and Stephen Maguire (42nd) all need a large cheque next week to get into the Cazoo Players Championship.
Selby banked £20,000 as BetVictor Shoot Out runner-up and he closes the gap on Judd Trump at the top of the BetVictor European Series rankings, with just two events to go.
Trump still leads the way with £120,500, but Selby is just £12,500 behind on £108,000. The two remaining counting events are the BetVictor Welsh Open and BetVictor Gibraltar Open, then the player top of the list will earn a massive £150,000 bonus.
On the two-year list, Day is up 18 places from 50th to 32nd, while Selby remains fourth.
There are five counting events remaining in the Race to the Crucible. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh is in 17th place and his run to the last 16 of the the BetVictor Shoot Out moved him within £250 of Barry Hawkins in 16th.
Delboy99
Dam
Judd Trump made a bit of history at the Championship League, as his ton against Mark Selby moved him past Stephen Hendry on the all-time list of century makers.
The world number one moved level with Hendry on 775 centuries when he knocked in a break of 115 against Jak Lisowski the previous day.
Given his brilliance, it was always a matter of when rather than if Trump would surpass the Scottish great.
It took him precisely one day to rack up number 776 - with his brilliant 138 break during his 3-0 win over Selby moving him third on the all-time list.
The victory over Selby booked Trump’s place in the semi-finals of Group 4 of the Championship League.
Next on the list is John Higgins who occupies second spot with 822 tons.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is still some way ahead, as he has 1079 centuries to his name and is likely to add to that figure before he retires.
Hendry has a chance to add to his tally, as he announced last year that he intended to return to the circuit.
The world number one moved level with Hendry on 775 centuries when he knocked in a break of 115 against Jak Lisowski the previous day.
Given his brilliance, it was always a matter of when rather than if Trump would surpass the Scottish great.
It took him precisely one day to rack up number 776 - with his brilliant 138 break during his 3-0 win over Selby moving him third on the all-time list.
The victory over Selby booked Trump’s place in the semi-finals of Group 4 of the Championship League.
Next on the list is John Higgins who occupies second spot with 822 tons.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is still some way ahead, as he has 1079 centuries to his name and is likely to add to that figure before he retires.
Hendry has a chance to add to his tally, as he announced last year that he intended to return to the circuit.
There's no stopping judd at the moment but I wonder if there is more snooker being played now than when hendry was about ?Judd Trump made a bit of history at the Championship League, as his ton against Mark Selby moved him past Stephen Hendry on the all-time list of century makers.
The world number one moved level with Hendry on 775 centuries when he knocked in a break of 115 against Jak Lisowski the previous day.
Given his brilliance, it was always a matter of when rather than if Trump would surpass the Scottish great.
It took him precisely one day to rack up number 776 - with his brilliant 138 break during his 3-0 win over Selby moving him third on the all-time list.
The victory over Selby booked Trump’s place in the semi-finals of Group 4 of the Championship League.
Next on the list is John Higgins who occupies second spot with 822 tons.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is still some way ahead, as he has 1079 centuries to his name and is likely to add to that figure before he retires.
Hendry has a chance to add to his tally, as he announced last year that he intended to return to the circuit.
Delboy99
Dam
..... I think there is definitely more snooker tournaments being currently played now hence more opportunities to make more big breaks. Even if you go right back to the days when Alex Higgins came into the game, there wasn't even the lucrative money prizes around that there is today, and definitely not as many tournaments, particularly overseas, where one could enter and make these centuries. Snooker has come a long way, probably just like darts where they have both hit the limelight in recent years. I still think Judd is an exceptional player, different in many ways from Ronnie O Sullivan. He has the perfect temperament and I see him going on for a number of years yet, probably out there on his own and breaking records in the future. Unless we see another genius come along in the meantime.
Delboy99
Dam
Ronnie O'Sullivan has decided to opt out of two more days of Championship League action after losing 3-2 to Group 5 winner Kyren Wilson in their semi-final on Thursday.
The six-times defending world champion has been replaced by Scottish Open semi-finalist Li Hang in Group 6 with Mark Williams, Ali Carter, Joe Perry, David Gilbert, Liang Wenbo and Anthony McGill on Friday and Saturday in Milton Keynes.
O'Sullivan will have taken the decision with one eye on next week's Welsh Open at Celtic Manor and a first-round match against world number 77 Robbie Williams on Tuesday afternoon (1pm LIVE on Eurosport).
After hitting six centuries, and three straight centuries in a 3-1 win over Mark Selby in winning all four matches on Wednesday, O'Sullivan lost 3-1 to Williams and Hawkins as Carter topped the group with five wins from six.
The 37-times ranking event winner compiled 132 to lead Wilson 2-1 in the last four only to watch his opponent produce runs of 128 and 132 to complete a 3-2 victory before recovering in a 3-2 win against Williams in the final.
The best four-placed players after the group winner move onto the next group, but world number 35 Li will now replace the Rocket with Gilbert, Liang and McGill starting out.
Wilson joins world number one Judd Trump, John Higgins, Zhou Yuelong and Graeme Dott in the winners' group on April 1-2 when the Championship League concludes.
The six-times defending world champion has been replaced by Scottish Open semi-finalist Li Hang in Group 6 with Mark Williams, Ali Carter, Joe Perry, David Gilbert, Liang Wenbo and Anthony McGill on Friday and Saturday in Milton Keynes.
O'Sullivan will have taken the decision with one eye on next week's Welsh Open at Celtic Manor and a first-round match against world number 77 Robbie Williams on Tuesday afternoon (1pm LIVE on Eurosport).
After hitting six centuries, and three straight centuries in a 3-1 win over Mark Selby in winning all four matches on Wednesday, O'Sullivan lost 3-1 to Williams and Hawkins as Carter topped the group with five wins from six.
The 37-times ranking event winner compiled 132 to lead Wilson 2-1 in the last four only to watch his opponent produce runs of 128 and 132 to complete a 3-2 victory before recovering in a 3-2 win against Williams in the final.
The best four-placed players after the group winner move onto the next group, but world number 35 Li will now replace the Rocket with Gilbert, Liang and McGill starting out.
Wilson joins world number one Judd Trump, John Higgins, Zhou Yuelong and Graeme Dott in the winners' group on April 1-2 when the Championship League concludes.
Delboy99
Dam
Kyren Wilson beat Mark Williams 3-2 in the deciding frame of the Group Five final to advance to Winners’ Group of BetVictor Championship League Snooker at Stadium MK, Milton Keynes.
The Kettering man will now return on April 1-2, where he will join Zhou Yuelong, John Higgins, Graeme Dott, Judd Trump and the winners of the final two groups, to battle it out for the title and a place in November’s Champion of Champions.
Wilson beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-2 in his semi-final, winning from 2-1 down with breaks of 128 and 132. Williams defeated Ali Carter 3-1 in his semi-final, having beaten O’Sullivan in his final group match to take fourth in the group table.
The Welshman took the first two frames of the final with breaks of 82 and 60, but Wilson hit back with 78 in the third and an 83 in the fourth, to force the decider. The fifth frame was the longest of the final, at just over 30 minutes, but Wilson eventually got the crucial red he required to put Williams out of sight.
“I put all of my effort into today and I finished off with three 3-2s,” said Wilson, who won the ranking event version of BetVictor Championship League Snooker last autumn.
“It has been a tough couple of groups so I’m delighted to get into the Winners’ Group. I have played O’Sullivan in a lot of big matches, so I know what it takes to beat him and I had to produce back-to-back tons after his centuries. That is the standard you have to reach to beat these legends of the game and I’m pleased that I managed to achieve that today.
“We are lucky to have snooker on at the moment and these tournaments are fantastic. I enjoy the set up, it is relaxed but with a bit of pressure with the money and Champion of Champions potential at the end of it. The groups have been really, really tough this year.”
Joe Perry will join Carter and Williams in Group Six having finished fifth in Group Five, where they will be joined by newcomers Liang Wenbo, David Gilbert and Anthony McGill. Barry Hawkins and Mark Selby have been eliminated from the event having finished sixth and seventh respectively in the group. O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the tournament and will be replaced by Li Hang.
BetVictor Championship League Snooker sees 25 of the game’s elite players compete for their share of a total prize pot of up to £205,000.
The Kettering man will now return on April 1-2, where he will join Zhou Yuelong, John Higgins, Graeme Dott, Judd Trump and the winners of the final two groups, to battle it out for the title and a place in November’s Champion of Champions.
Wilson beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 3-2 in his semi-final, winning from 2-1 down with breaks of 128 and 132. Williams defeated Ali Carter 3-1 in his semi-final, having beaten O’Sullivan in his final group match to take fourth in the group table.
The Welshman took the first two frames of the final with breaks of 82 and 60, but Wilson hit back with 78 in the third and an 83 in the fourth, to force the decider. The fifth frame was the longest of the final, at just over 30 minutes, but Wilson eventually got the crucial red he required to put Williams out of sight.
“I put all of my effort into today and I finished off with three 3-2s,” said Wilson, who won the ranking event version of BetVictor Championship League Snooker last autumn.
“It has been a tough couple of groups so I’m delighted to get into the Winners’ Group. I have played O’Sullivan in a lot of big matches, so I know what it takes to beat him and I had to produce back-to-back tons after his centuries. That is the standard you have to reach to beat these legends of the game and I’m pleased that I managed to achieve that today.
“We are lucky to have snooker on at the moment and these tournaments are fantastic. I enjoy the set up, it is relaxed but with a bit of pressure with the money and Champion of Champions potential at the end of it. The groups have been really, really tough this year.”
Joe Perry will join Carter and Williams in Group Six having finished fifth in Group Five, where they will be joined by newcomers Liang Wenbo, David Gilbert and Anthony McGill. Barry Hawkins and Mark Selby have been eliminated from the event having finished sixth and seventh respectively in the group. O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the tournament and will be replaced by Li Hang.
BetVictor Championship League Snooker sees 25 of the game’s elite players compete for their share of a total prize pot of up to £205,000.
Delboy99
Dam
Ali Carter booked his spot in the Winners’ Group of the Championship League with a fantastic comeback to beat Anthony McGill 3-2 in the Group 6 final. The Captain found himself 2-0 down in a race to three and needing a snooker with just pink and black left on the table in the third frame. A superb shot got him the snooker and he pinched the frame to stay alive, before winning the final two, getting over the line with a break of 111 in the last. The former World Championship finalist was impressive throughout the group stage, winning five of his six games, only losing to McGill, before he edged out Mark Williams in the semi-final.
Ali Carter booked his spot in the Winners’ Group of the Championship League with a fantastic comeback to beat Anthony McGill 3-2 in the Group 6 final. The Captain found himself 2-0 down in a race to three and needing a snooker with just pink and black left on the table in the third frame. A superb shot got him the snooker and he pinched the frame to stay alive, before winning the final two, getting over the line with a break of 111 in the last. The former World Championship finalist was impressive throughout the group stage, winning five of his six games, only losing to McGill, before he edged out Mark Williams in the semi-final. McGill had beaten Dave Gilbert in the semi-finals after also only losing once in the group stage, a 3-1 defeat to Liang Wenbo. Williams, Gilbert, McGill and Joe Perry will return for Group 7 in March, alongside Neil Robertson, Kurt Maflin and an as-yet-unconfirmed player.
Meanwhile, Carter joins Zhou Yuelong, Graeme Dott, John Higgins, Judd Turmp and Kyren Wilson in the Winners’ Group. ‘I’m delighted,’ said Carter. ‘Coming here on Wednesday I had no expectations and to get through against top quality opponents is great. ‘I have been working on some stuff at home and trying to practice here and there with the lockdown and home schooling, but I am delighted to get through. I have tried to change my game a bit and play more attacking rather than the old school way. I came here with that in mind, made a few centuries, and got some good wins.
‘When you have played as long as I have, you get a feeling. When you win a frame needing a snooker I could sense Anthony was struggling a little bit. ‘I love this event, I have always done well here, and it is great that we are playing. I am away, I am working, and I can drive home tonight knowing I am the winner.’ Group 7 is not played until 29-30 March, with the Winners’ Group on the following two days.
Ali Carter booked his spot in the Winners’ Group of the Championship League with a fantastic comeback to beat Anthony McGill 3-2 in the Group 6 final. The Captain found himself 2-0 down in a race to three and needing a snooker with just pink and black left on the table in the third frame. A superb shot got him the snooker and he pinched the frame to stay alive, before winning the final two, getting over the line with a break of 111 in the last. The former World Championship finalist was impressive throughout the group stage, winning five of his six games, only losing to McGill, before he edged out Mark Williams in the semi-final. McGill had beaten Dave Gilbert in the semi-finals after also only losing once in the group stage, a 3-1 defeat to Liang Wenbo. Williams, Gilbert, McGill and Joe Perry will return for Group 7 in March, alongside Neil Robertson, Kurt Maflin and an as-yet-unconfirmed player.
Meanwhile, Carter joins Zhou Yuelong, Graeme Dott, John Higgins, Judd Turmp and Kyren Wilson in the Winners’ Group. ‘I’m delighted,’ said Carter. ‘Coming here on Wednesday I had no expectations and to get through against top quality opponents is great. ‘I have been working on some stuff at home and trying to practice here and there with the lockdown and home schooling, but I am delighted to get through. I have tried to change my game a bit and play more attacking rather than the old school way. I came here with that in mind, made a few centuries, and got some good wins.
‘When you have played as long as I have, you get a feeling. When you win a frame needing a snooker I could sense Anthony was struggling a little bit. ‘I love this event, I have always done well here, and it is great that we are playing. I am away, I am working, and I can drive home tonight knowing I am the winner.’ Group 7 is not played until 29-30 March, with the Winners’ Group on the following two days.