Australian Goldfields Open 2012 - Barry Hawkins Downed Ebdon To Victory

Australian Goldfields Open 2012 - Barry Hawkins downed Peter Ebdon in the final by 9-3 to capture his first ranking title. 

Barry Hawkins downed Peter Ebdon

The Shoot-out Champion beaten likes of Matthew Stevens and Mark Davis en route to make his first ranking final while convincing Peter Ebdon edged out top players Ding Junhui, Shaun Murphy and Marco Fu to reach his second final this year, after China Open in April.

Ebdon who was chasing for his tenth ranking title found himself 1-4 down to Hawkins as his opponent made breaks of 57, 74, 106 and 116. The 2002 World Champion reduced the gap to 3-5 by winning two frames out of the three in the first session. 

However, Hawkins showed no signs of nerve. The 33-year-old did not let any frame slipped during the night session, winning four frames required with 133, 74 and 51 to win his first ranking title. He pocketed a cheque of  73000 for winner's and highest break prize. 

Barry Hawkins

"Winning my first ranking event feels quite strange," said Hawkins, one of the circuit's most popular players. "I don't think it has sunk in yet, I feel quite calm. It'll probably sink in more when I get home and see the family. I'm delighted obviously and it could be a big moment in my career hopefully. I just can't believe it, I'm speechless.''

He added, "Even during the good times there's still doubt, you start questioning yourself thinking am I ever going to win a big tournament. I've come close quite a few times but that was quite a few years ago now, and I hadn't reached a quarter-final for a while so obviously the confidence was lacking a little bit. I've been working with Terry Griffiths, just like Mark Davis, for the last year or so and I won the Shoot-Out since I started working with him, I don't know if it was a coincidence or not. But now I've won this so obviously I'm doing something right. Fingers crossed that it isn't the last one.''

Peter Ebdon, the runner-up

The runner-up expressed his disappointment, "I didn't have a very good day at all today, nothing really went for me and I really struggled out there today in all departments and it's very disappointing. It's not often that would happen to me in a final but every credit to Barry, I thought he played really, really well. His all-round game was very good, he scored very heavily, his long-game was good, touch, feel, cue ball control, it was all there today.''

Wuxi Classic 2012 - Ricky Walden Crowned In China Again

Wuxi Classic 2012: Ricky Walden won his second ranking title at Wuxi, China by beating Stuart Bingham 10-4 in the final. 

Ricky Walden won his second ranking title at Wuxi

The man from Chester, as a player outside top 16 unexpectedly beaten Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final to win his first ranking title at Shanghai in 2008.  Four years later, Walden repeated the myth again to win his second ranking title. He collected a cheque for 75000 pounds as prize money. 


Walden fought back from unfavourable situation in the first two frames of the final. He built up a healthy 4-0 lead over Bingham at mid interval session. The Ballrun, Stuart Bingham won his first frame in the final with a maximum break to trail 1-5. It was the third maximum of his career. He earned 7000 pounds for the break.

Stuart Bingham celebrated after making his third maximum break

However, the maximum break did not help Bingham to raise his form. Instead, Walden extended his lead to 9-1 with 73 and 56, leaving only one frame away from victory. The Essex cueman did not give up, making 103 and 100 to reduce the deficit to 4-9. Walden held himself to win the title with a break of 74  in the 14th frame. 


"I'm over the moon to win the event," said Walden. "I think the first two frames were massive. The first frame, I felt like I hadn't settled down and Stuart seemed to be getting the upper hand. When he missed and let me in I managed to get a couple of snookers to put the pressure back on. I think it sets the tone for the rest of the match and I took advantage of a few of his mistakes, potted a few big balls in the opening five or six frames and I managed to keep a decent lead.''

Ricky Walden

Walden had a blinking start for the season. "I'm just looking forward to playing, I'm enjoying my snooker at the moment. It's such a full calendar that you know that if you have a bad result one week you can have a good go the next week and try to redeem the result. I've not got any targets, I just want to keep enjoying my snooker, travelling to as many tournaments as I can just play well, like I've started to this week."


The runner-up, also winner of first APTC expressed his disappointment, "Obviously I'm a bit disappointed, I've had 15 or so unbeaten and today it just didn't happen. I think it was just a bad day at the office. Some consolation was the 147. It's always nice to make a 147, especially in a final. I've been told it's only the third one in a final so it's some history.'' Still, it is not bad for Bingham to start his road for defending his title of Australian Open next week. 

Wuxi Classic 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match Schedule

Wuxi Classic 2012: (25 June - 1 July, Wuxi Stadium, China)

Defending Champion: Mark Selby (Beaten Ali Carter by 9-7 in the final)


Live Streaming:


LIVE SCORES [Follow Me on Twitter for latest update]


Blog Entries:
Ricky Walden Crowned In China Again


Draw/Results:

Wildcard Round

WC1	Ken Doherty 5-4 Lu Ning
WC2	Jamie Burnett 5-3 Jin Long
WC3	Michael White 4-5 Zhou Yuelong
WC4	Rod Lawler 5-2 Li Hang
WC5	Dave Harold 1-5 Rouzi Maimaiti
WC6	Fergal O'Brien 5-2 Lu Haotian
WC7	Michael Holt 1-5 Zhu Yinghu
WC8	Robert Milkins 5-2 Chen Feilong

Last 32	Last 16	Quarter-Finals	Semi-Finals	Final
Mark Selby 5-2 Barry Hawkins	Mark Selby 5-0 Jamie Cope	Mark Selby 4-5 Stuart Bingham	Stuart Bingham 6-5 Mark Davis	Stuart Bingham 4-10 Ricky Walden
Martin Gould 3-5 Jamie Cope
Stuart Bingham 5-4 Peter Ebdon	Stuart Bingham 5-4 Ken Doherty
Shaun Murphy 1-5 Ken Doherty
Neil Robertson 1-5 Jamie Burnett	Jamie Burnett 3-5 Mark Davis	Mark Davis 5-0 Graeme Dott
Ding Junhui 2-5 Mark Davis
Graeme Dott 5-1 Zhou Yuelong	Graeme Dott 5-4 Rod Lawler
Stephen Maguire 4-5 Rod Lawler
Mark Williams 5-0 Tom Ford	Mark Williams 5-3 Mark Allen	Mark Williams 3-5 Marcus Campbell	Marcus Campbell 1-6 Ricky Walden
Mark Allen 5-1 Rouzi Maimaiti
Ali Carter 3-5 Fergal O'Brien	Fergal O'Brien 2-5 Marcus Campbell
Stephen Lee 1-5 Marcus Campbell
Matthew Stevens w/d w/o Joe Perry	Joe Perry 4-5 Ricky Walden	Ricky Walden 5-3 Robert Milkins
Ricky Walden 5-0 Zhu Yinghu
Andrew Higginson 3-5 Robert Milkins	Robert Milkins 5-3 Judd Trump
Judd Trump 5-1 Dominic Dale

Match Schedule/Order of play:
Note: All matches up to and including quarter-finals are best of 9 frames. Semi-finals are best of 11 and the final is best of 19 (9/10). Only 2 tables will be streamed. 


Monday, June 25 (Day 1)

7.30am: WC2 Jamie Burnett 5-3 Jin Long, WC4 Rod Lawler 5-2 Li Hang, WC5 Dave Harold 1-5 Rouzi Maimaiti

12.30pm: 9 Mark Selby 5-2 Barry Hawkins, WC7 Michael Holt 1-5 Zhu Yinghui, WC6 Fergal O'Brien 5-2 Lu Haotian, WC8 Robert Milkins 5-2 Chen Feilong

Tuesday, June 26 (Day 2)

7.30am: 13 Neil Robertson 1-5 Jamie Burnett, WC1 Ken Doherty 5-4 Lu Ning, 11 Stuart Bingham 5-4 Peter Ebdon, 18 Mark Allen 5-1 Rouzi Maimaiti

12.30pm: 14 Ding Junhui 2-5 Mark Davis, WC3 Michael White 4-5 Zhou Yuelong, 19 Allister Carter 3-5 Fergal O'Brien, 10 Martin Gould 3-5 Jamie Cope

Wednesday, June 27 (Day 3)

7.30am: 17 Mark Williams 5-0 Tom Ford, 12 Shaun Murphy 1-5 Ken Doherty, 22 Ricky Walden 5-0 Zhu Yinghui, 23 Andrew Higginson 3-5 Robert Milkins

12.30pm: 24 Judd Trump 5-1 Dominic Dale, 16 Stephen Maguire 4-5 Rod Lawler, 20 Stephen Lee 1-5 Marcus Campbell, 15 Graeme Dott 5-1 Zhou Yuelong

Thursday, June 28 (Day 4)

7.30am: 32 Robert Milkins 5-3 Judd Trump, 29 Mark Williams 5-3 Mark Allen, 26 Ken Doherty 4-5 Stuart Bingham, 30 Fergal O'Brien 2-5 Marcus Campbell

12.30pm: 25 Mark Selby 5-0 Jamie Cope, 28 Graeme Dott 5-4 Rod Lawler, 27 Jamie Burnett 3-5 Mark Davis, 31 Joe Perry 4-5 Ricky Walden

Friday, June 29 (Day 5)

7.30am: Mark Selby 4-5 Stuart Bingham, Mark Davis 5-0 Graeme Dott

12.30pm: Mark Williams 3-5 Marcus Campbell, Ricky Walden 5-3 Robert Milkins

Saturday, June 30 (Day 6)

7.30am: Stuart Bingham 6-5 Mark Davis

12.30pm: Marcus Campbell 1-6 Ricky Walden

Sunday, July 1 (Day 7)

7.30am: Final - Stuart Bingham 1-7 Ricky Walden (First Session - 9 frames)
*Bingham made a maximum break (147) in the only frame he had won

7.30pm: Final - Stuart Bingham 4-10 Ricky Walden (Second Session - 10 frames)

Congrats to Ricky Walden winning Wuxi Classic 2012!

Ronnie O’Sullivan Decided To Take A Break From Snooker

Ronnie O'Sullivan has decided to make good on his desire to take some time off from competitive snooker. He said today:

“I have decided not to enter any tournaments for the time being including this year's Premier League and forthcoming WPBSA ranking events.

“I have not signed the player's contract as I feel the contract is too onerous and am in a stage of my career where I don't wish to make this commitment.

“I still want to play snooker and visit those places around the world such as China where snooker is enthusiastically received and adored.

“I hope to remain involved in the sport in some way in the future.”

The Statement is released on Grove Leisure (his management company). O'Sullivan had just claimed his fourth World Title last month. Well good luck to our dear Ronnie. I understand he should spend some more time with his family but hope it is not the end of his career. 

World Championship - Ronnie O'Sullivan Seals Fourth World Title

World Snooker Championship Final Day: Ronnie O'Sullivan seals his fourth world title by beating Ali Carter 18-11 in the final. Congratulations!

Ronnie O'Sullivan seals fourth world title with his son Ronnie Junior (right)

O'Sullivan led Ali Carter by 10-7 overnight and he had a blinking start in the third session as well. The Rocket blasted to take all four frames before mid interval to lead Ali Carter by 14-7. We were thinking if there would be night session as Ronnie only needed four more to lift up the trophy.

The Captain finally won his first frame in the third session during frame 22. He added another two frames on the scoreboard with breaks of 105 and 53, looked forward to take another frame at the end of third session to reduce the deficit. Notwithstanding Carter tried hard, O'Sullivan won the last frame with efforts of 64 and 55 to go 15-10 ahead. He just required three more frames in the last session to crown.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

First frame of the night session went to Ronnie's hand before Carter put up a fight in the next to trail 11-16. Carter would love to drag the match into mid interval but The Rocket won the other two frames required to seal his fourth World Title. Ronnie Junior and Ronnie's mother Maria were delighted, joining the celebrations. 

Ronnie O'Sullivan replaces John Higgins to become the oldest player to win the World Championship, at age of 36 and five months. He now shares the same number of World Title (four) and 24 ranking titles with John Higgins. The Rocket has beaten three World Champions (Ebdon, Williams, Robertson) and two World Finalists (Stevens, Carter) on the road to conquer the Crucible for the fourth time.

Ronnie held his son tightly through out the whole prize ceremony, he said: "I didn't think I'd ever get the opportunity to share a moment like this with my son Ronnie so it's so nice to have him here. He loves snooker, I've tried to turn him off it but he's having none of it. I got a bit emotional even before the match was over because I felt it was just me and him in the whole arena. It's the best feeling I've ever had in my life.'' 

O'Sullivan: It's the best feeling I've ever had in my life

He also thanked Dr. Steve Peters for helping him along the way, ''we're fortunate to be able to play this game, so it's allowed me to be happy in my life and enjoy the game as well. I'm not a better player, I'm just giving myself more of a chance I suppose.'' 

Being asked about if he would retire after the massive victory, "I've had a long time to think about everything I've done. I'm not saying I have retired but what I am saying is that my family has become the most important thing in my life. I've made plans, but I'm making no knee-jerk reactions, I'm taking a few months off and I'll assess the situation. I know there's a big responsibility for me to promote the game and I think I do do that, and if I could play in every tournament I would but it's hard sometimes.''

The runner-up Carter said: "I'm just disappointed to lose. I didn't feel like I played well in the final, Ronnie put me under all kinds of pressure out there, his safety was unbelievable, even his break offs had me in trouble every time. I was pleased I did compete and I'll be back next year. Ronnie played the better snooker so he's going to get the luck, but the better man won. He's a genius and it's the Ronnie O'Sullivan show.''

Carter: I'm just disappointed to lose

First of all congratulations to Ronnie. He played a great tournament with consistency in the past 17 days. I am happy to see him having better mentality compared to his last two appearances at the Crucible. He has got the right mind after winning the German Masters in February. I hope that he can keep this to play on the next year.

Although Carter lost to O'Sullivan again in the final after 2008, his journey to get to the final is good enough for the man who has been struggling with Crohn's disease in the past 12 months. The moment that he beaten Judd Trump 13-12 from 9-12 down was huge. It was completely out of my expectation, indeed in a good way. Carter lost his top 16 place despite reaching the final, I truly believe he will get back into the elites very soon.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results

World Championship - O'Sullivan Ahead Of Carter In The Final

World Snooker Championship Day 16: Ronnie O'Sullivan led Ali Carter by 10-7 overnight in the World Final, after two sessions of playing.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter before the World Final

The final started in a quirky way. The cueball went off when Carter scored which Ronnie punished for such a mistake to take the opening frame. The first century in the final appeared in the second frame, 117 from The Rocket to go 2-0 up. Carter settled down in the next frame, levelling off 2-2 at mid interval with a top break of 84.

The first two frames after mid interval were shared before Ronnie made a superb 92 clearance to lead 4-3. One more frame to end the session, O'Sullivan produced total clearance of 141 to lead 5-3 before the night session started. Although Carter won the opening frame of the night session but O'Sullivan won the next three to gain three-frame advantage at mid session.

Once led The Captain by 9-6, Ronnie seemed would have four-frame-cushion but The Captain got the last frame of second session with the aid of a fluke. Ronnie O'Sullivan still leads by 10-7 overnight.

Ali did not play his game too well today, neither Ronnie was at his best. Perhaps Carter should go for more long pots with confidence as energy storage is crucial in long matches. I don't deny the strategy of putting more safety into his game but I think playing his own game will be the more comfortable.

First player to win 18 frames would lift the trophy and top prize of 250000 pounds. Ronnie needs 8 more while Carter needs 11. Third session kicks off at 2.30pm and the final session starts at 7.30pm.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - Carter And O'Sullivan Repeat 2008 World Final

World Snooker Championship Day 15: Ali Carter and Ronnie O'Sullivan set up a repeat of 2008 World Final in 2012.

We are back to 2008 World Final, the two finalists

The Captain was the first one to book his final place, his second world final. Carter led Maguire by 14-10 before the final session, he simply did not want the match to go into mid interval. In the opening scrappy frame, Carter was trapped in a superb snooker that missed to hit the red for six times until Referee Leo Scullion decided not calling a foul. Maguire went for the double but missed, left Carter a difficult red but Carter potted it and cleared up.


A superb fluked red in the next frame put Carter just one frame away from victory, 16-10. The match appeared to be finished before mid interval, Maguire hit back to win the next two frames to keep his hope alive. Nevertheless, Carter got his job done with a 70 break to claim the victory, 17-12.

Carter And Maguire

The former Welsh Open and Shanghai Masters champion said: "I'm not just happy being in the final. We'll see what happens. On the performance of his opponent, Carter said: "I'm surprised by the way Stephen played. I think he thought he was going to beat me easily the way he started." Maguire said after his lost, "There were at least eight frames I lost on the colours or the last red. I took so many hits I felt like a punchbag out there. It starts to hurt after a while when you get so close. I don't know how to take this one to be honest."


The third session of O'Sullivan versus Stevens were shared, 4-4 despite the fact that Stevens could win the session and got closer on the scoreline. Stevens showed his effort to trail by 9-12 but his errors during the last two frames of the session put Ronnie into a good position to reach the final. Ronnie claimed 15-9 lead, and during the last session of the semi-finals, Stevens surrendered by 10-17.

The Rocket may retire after the championship? 

 "I don't intend to stay in the game long; even though I've been in a much better place I've made the decision that this might be my last time playing in this tournament," said 36-year-old O'Sullivan. "I've weighed up the plusses and the minuses and I'm quite comfortable with that decision, if I win it great, absolute bonus, if I don't at least I can say I've gone out on a high.'' "Yes! I hope he does retire!" said the Welshman. "I can't see him doing it but you never know with Ronnie, if he did retire as world champion, what a perfect way to finish but I think he loves the game too much.

The two players in this year World Final are the same as that of in 2008 but the main difference would be none of them has made a 147 in the previous rounds. The final in 2008 was not close, Carter lost by 8-18. However, Carter got advices from Peter Ebdon this year. "I feel totally different to the way I did four years ago. I was mentally knackered then. I wasn't getting to bed until about 3 in the morning."

Who Will Lift The Trophy?

The head-to-head is all the way Ronnie O'Sullivan leads, 13-1. Carter has never beaten Ronnie in a ranking tournament but Carter needs the title to put himself back into the top 16. I hope it would stimulate Ali trying to play his best snooker but still O'Sullivan is the favourite to win his fourth world title. 

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - O'Sullivan And Carter Lead In The Semis

World Snooker Championship Day 14: Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter lead their opponents in the semi-finals, hopefully the 2008 World Final will be repeated.

Rocket O'Sullivan

Leading 5-3 before the second session, O'Sullivan struggled at the beginning. Matthew Stevens took the opening two frames of the session to level 5-5 after stunning 63 clearance to steal the frame from Ronnie's hands. The Rocket played better, 62 and a ton put him 7-5 ahead of Stevens at the mid interval.

Ronnie found his form, winning another four in a row (total six a row this session) with runs of 98, 94 and a ton. The Essex cueman had an clear advantage over Stevens, 11-5 with two more session to go tomorrow. He could kill off the match tomorrow morning if he win six out of eight frames to be played during the third session.

I believe many Rocket fans may found an interesting pattern - O'Sullivan played his best snooker during the second session of the match. He took six consecutive frames during second session in the four matches he have played in the championship so far. What a weapon to win a match.

Captain Carter flying high in the sky

Carter extended his lead to 14-10 after the first two sessions. Carter dominated the match, 5-3 and 10-6. He won most of the tight frames on colours, even down to the final black.  The standard of the match is higher today, Carter made breaks of 118, 134, 73 to lead 14-7. However, Maguire took the final three frames of third session to ensure Carter would not have a session to spare tomorrow.

Carter v Maguire will finish at 2.30pm and winner of O'Sullivan v Stevens will be determined at 7pm.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

World Championship - O'Sullivan Saw Off Robertson To Made Semi-Finals

World Snooker Championship Day 12: Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Maguire, Ali Carter and Matthew Stevens are the four players who advanced to semi-finals.

O'Sullivan saw off Robertson to make semi-finals

The Rocket trailed Neil Robertson by 3-5 after the first session. The three-time World Champion had a brilliant performance in the second session, taking six frames in a row to lead Robertson by 9-5 with a few quality breaks. Despite struggling at the afternoon, the 2010 World Champion claimed last two frames of the session to trail 7-9 before final session kicked off.

Ronnie had a healthy lead 12-8 over Robertson with runs of 100 and 104 but Robertson swung back to trail 10-12 with 89 and 77. Ronnie killed the match with 59 in the frame 23 to beat Robertson by 13-10.

Poor afternoon session cost Robertson the match

Following his victory, the 36 year-old said: "It's nice to enjoy the game, and to play with openness which is my natural game. Robertson said, "I played too slowly in the afternoon - I just couldn't get going, I couldn't get any rhythm. On his opponent, O'Sullivan added: "Neil's had a great tournament, he's been fantastic and he's had another good season."

This is the first Crucible semi-finals since 2008 for The Rocket. He will play Matthew Stevens who beaten Ryan Day by 13-5, winning 10 straight frames to enter the semi-finals. Stevens, who will now play either Ronnie O'Sullivan or Neil Robertson, said: "I'd be lying if I said that I thought I'd get back here - to the semi-finals of the World Championship.'' "It would mean everything to win it, but I feel I'm going to have to improve if I'm going to go any further.''

Ali Carter came through tests from Jamie Jones with scoreline of 13-11 to advance to semi-finals. Carter led Jones by 9-7 in the previous session, he made a good start to be 12-8 up on Jones. The Crucible debutant took the following three frames. The pressure is now on The Captain's shoulder. Carter who overcame Trump in the last round held his nerve to win with a break of 73. 

Jamie Jones & Ali Carter

"What an incredible performance [from Jamie] to get through to a quarter-final and make so many century breaks, he's an awesome player, gutsy as you like. He reminds me of Graeme Dott, always there on your heels and it was only my safety that won me the match." Jone said, "I'm so at home out there I can't really explain it, I've loved being here, it's been the best experience of my life.

Stephen Maguire saw off Stephen Hendry yesterday by 13-2 and therefore he got a session to spare today. Tomorrow will be down to one table set-up, with Maguire versus Carter and O'Sullivan versus Stevens.

World Snooker Championship 2012 Results/Live, Draw & Match/TV Schedule

Stephen Hendry Announced Retirement

Stephen Hendry made the announcement of retiring from the game at the press conference of his quarter-finals defeat. He lost to Stephen Maguire by 2-13. His decision shocked everybody. 

The Legend Stephen Hendry

The seven-time World Champion has beaten Stuart Bingham and the Defending Champion John Higgins to reach the quarter-finals. I believe Hendry had not regret as he made his eleventh maximum break in the first round, to level off Ronnie O'Sullivan's record of making the most 147s.

Hendry said in his press conference: "I made the decision about three months ago, I didn't tell many people, I only told two or three people but this is me finished in tournament snooker. It was quite an easy decision, there's a few reasons which I'm not going to go into in detail and bore you with. The schedule didn't help, the fact that I'm not playing the snooker I want to play doesn't help, the fact I don't enjoy practice doesn't help. I've got other things I want to do, I've got a lot of commitments now in China which I've signed up for and I can't do both, I can't do that and play snooker, because I would never be at home, so the time is right for me.

"If I'd have won this event, it would have been an even better way to go out. I'm delighted that I've made a maximum here, that's why I was more animated than normal when making it, I was delighted to do it on my last appearance here. It wasn't a spur of the moment thing, I thought about it last year, but 2 or 3 months ago I decided enough was enough.

After dropping out of the Top 16 this season, Hendry seemed to play better snooker compared to the previous season. Making a maximum at the Crucible, his last tournament to be played in the professional circuit is the best ending of his career. Although Hendry had not won a full ranking title since 2005 Malta Cup, he had archived more than everybody had won so far in the game. 

Being one of the greatest player ever in the sport, I wish Hendry all the best in the future. Thank you for all your brilliant matches and magic moments that brought to us in these 26 years.