Elite Top 16 Up For Power Snooker in Manchester

The elite top 16 players will play for the two-day Power Snooker Masters Trophy 2011 in Trafford Centre, Manchester starts from today. Results and live streaming links for Power Snooker are located below.

The defending champion 'The Rocket' Ronnie O'Sullivan will no doubt be picked as one of the players to win the championship this year. However with the more fierce competition which the number of players is doubled from 8 to 16 this year. Players in attacking style such as Judd Trump and Mark Allen are also seen as the hot picks.

9 reds with Power Ball in the middle

The rules of Power Snooker is still the same: 30-minutes match with 20s shot-clock which scores is counted instead of frames, nine reds only in diamond shape with a Power Ball in the middle.  Potting the Power Ball scores two points and triggers a two-minute Power Play, during which every ball potted counts double. The area behind the baulk line is the Power Zone – if the cue ball is struck from within the Power Zone, any ball potted counts for double and during a Power Play, quadruple. Player will be awarded ball in hand if his opponent play a foul shot. 

The first event last year was very entertaining and successful commercially. Some fans found it enjoyable but some were not happy about the noisy crowd and the format of the game itself. Will the event better with more players participate in?

Live coverage will be provided by ITV4. Match and TV Schedule is as followed: (Latest Results will be updated)

Live Streaming: http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-2/12/106/v-330659.html OR http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-2/12/108/v-330898.html (If the links are not working, please go to http://www.filmon.com/tv/flashmain/ --> Picking ITV 4 on the left)

Saturday: Live on ITV4 1pm – 4.30pm and 6.00pm – 9.30pm
1.10pm	Match 1	Mark Selby 241 - 196 Matthew Stevens
2.00pm	Match 2	John Higgins 177 - 255 Mark Allen
3.00pm	Match 3	Judd Trump 229 - 332  Martin Gould
4.00pm	Match 4	Shaun Murphy 112 - 376 Stuart Bingham
6.10pm	Match 5	Mark Williams 211 - 228 Stephen Lee
7.00pm	Match 6	Neil Robertson 238 -174 Stephen Maguire
8.00pm	Match 7	Ali Carter 245 - 335 Ronnie O’Sullivan
9.00pm	Match 8	Ding Junhui 182 - 288 Graeme Dott
Sunday: Live on ITV4 1pm – 4.30pm and 6.00pm – 9.00pm
1.10pm	Quarter-final 1	Mark Selby 398 - 56 Mark Allen
2.00pm	Quarter-final 2	Martin Gould 247 - 180 Stuart Bingham
3.00pm	Quarter-final 3	Stephen Lee 125 - 272 Neil Robertson
4.00pm	Quarter-final 4	Ronnie O'Sullivan 185 - 182 Graeme Dott
6.00pm	Semi-final 1	Mark Selby 246 -253 Martin Gould
7.00pm	Semi-final 2	Neil Robertson 157 - 519  Ronnie O'Sullivan
8.00pm	The final	Martin Gould 268 - 258 Ronnie O'Sullivan

PTC 9 (Acurate Antwerp Open) Day 3 - Trump Defeated O'Sullivan in Dream Final

In the final of PTC 9 (Acurate Antwerp Open), Judd Trump defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan by 4-3 in just 75 minutes to win his second PTC title this season. Well done!

Trump defeated O'Sullivan to win PTC 9 (Acurate Antwerp Open)

The final is one of the best and most enjoyable final for me, both players showed their strength and demonstrated buzzing attacking snooker. Ronnie took the opener with highly appreciated 63 (with only blue and yellow only) before Trump took the next three with 68, 65 and 65. This act fired up the Rocket to play his best, producing back-to-back centuries 118 and 132 to force a decider. In the decider, Trump succeed with 44 and 41 along with a fluke on the match ball to capture a 4-3 win over Ronnie. Trump pocked 10000 euro for the title as well as 2000 ranking points.

Trump: A really special match because the atmosphere was like the World Final 

"This season has been pretty good so far, I've been more than happy with the way I've played. I lost my first match in the two main ranking events but I've done well in the PTC events and I'm really looking forward to the UK Championship and the Masters now because those are the big ones." Trump now shares two PTC events victories with Ronnie and Robertson, who also dominated the series this season. As for the success of the tournament in Belgium, Trump added: "I definitely think we could have a full ranking event here. The fans have been great and the players would be more than happy to come back."

O'Sullivan lost although he produced back-to-back centuires

Performances of two players in the final dazzled the fans. I feel like there was no definite winner for the match, they were just showing their best to the fans. Their last encounter was on Premier League early this month which Ronnie won 3-2. Seems that the only way to divide a winner from one of them is by deciders. There is a chance for the fans to see them clash again:  in the last 16 of UK Championship next month if they pass the first round. The talents will wow us again!


Are the PTCs no longer profitable for low-ranked players?

Snooker is a highly popular sport in Belgium

Top 16 players are doing well in the PTC events recently. Four semi-finalists all came from Top 16 - Does it imply that Top 16 players will soon dominate the PTC series? There are some clear evidence showed us: Ronnie, Trump and Robertson each won two events, Selby grabbed one. Only two remaining events that have taken place were won by two non-Top 16 players, Wollaston and Higginson. Some Chinese players complained about the high expenses for participating oversea PTCs and Barry Hearn created the series to help to lower-ranked players winning more prize money in some extent: Are the PTCs no longer profitable for lower-ranked players? 

Interests of lower-ranked players cannot be neglected

Look at the example of former pro player Bjorn Haneveer who just retired from the circuit due to financial difficulties. Prize money of the PTC events are not high: no prize if you lose in last 128, £200 for last 64, £1,000 for last 16. If lower-ranked players are not playing in PTCs, you will miss the chance to grab ranking points and hence affect your ranking. We all know that there are 12 PTCs in total, half of them are located oversea. Will it be better to reduce the total number of PTCs to eight? Blackmail the players cannot gain their support. Interests of lower-ranked players cannot be neglected despite the globalization of the sport.

Results of PTC 9 (Acurate Antwerp Open) Day 3, Sunday November 13

10am

113 Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-2 Stephen Lee Round 4
114 Neil Robertson 4-1 Michael White Round 4
115 David Morris 0-4 Jack Lisowski Round 4
116 Graeme Dott 4-2 Alan McManus Round 4
117 Judd Trump 4-0 Tom Ford Round 4
118 Mike Dunn 0-4 John Higgins Round 4
119 Aditya Mehta 4-3 Matthew Stevens Round 4
120 Martin Gould 4-3 Andy Hicks Round 4

 

1pm

121 Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-1 Neil Robertson Quarter Finals
122 Jack Lisowski 2-4 Graeme Dott Quarter Finals
123 Judd Trump 4-2 John Higgins Quarter Finals
124 Aditya Mehta 1-4 Martin Gould Quarter Finals

 

4pm

125 Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-1 Graeme Dott Semi Finals
126 Judd Trump 4-1 Martin Gould Semi Finals

 

8pm

127 Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-4 Judd Trump Final

PTC 9 (Acurate Antwerp Open) Day 2 - Trump blew off the Whirlwind to enter Last 16

Second day of PTC 9 (acurate Antwerp Open) in Belgium, crucible finalist Judd Trump blew off the The Whirlwind Jimmy White to launch in the last 16.

Judd Trump blew off Jimmy White in last 32

Judd Trump started his first day journey in Antwerp with a 4-1 victory over Martin O'Donnell followed by Craig Steadman. He then faced the legendary Jimmy White in last 32. The Whirlwind once built up a 3-1 head to set back Trump but The Ace came back to force a decider with 90 and 66, eventually won the match 4-3 with runs of 33 and 34.

Good luck to Bjorn Haneveer

Belgian Bjorn Haneveer is going to retire from the circuit due to financial problems after this event PTC9 at his home country. However, he was unluckily defeated by Jimmy White 2-4 in the first round to end his professional career. Haneveer has been doing commentary for Belgian Eurosport and hopefully he will have a good life after his retirement. Good luck to him!

Moscow brings good luck to Higgins (Photo by Monique Limbos)

John Higgins also booked his seat in the last 16 by three victories over Matt Couch, Ashley Wright and Ken Doherty in the final 32. Martin Gould recovered to beat Dominic Dale 4-2 from 1-2 down thanks to his breaks of 82, 69 and 50. He is going to play Andy Hicks who suprising edged out world number one Mark Selby in last 32.

Matthew Stevens

Matthew Stevens defeated ended Mark Davis's hope to move to last 16 after beating Marco Fu in the previous round. Mike Dunn sent Mark Williams home and went on to beat Jimmy Robertson and Jamie Cope for his place in the last 16. India's Aditya Mehta will return on Sunday morning for last 16 as well.

Results of PTC 9 (Acurate Antwerp Open) Day 2, Saturday November 12

9.30am

37 Nigel Bond 4-3 Robert Milkins Round 1
38 Fergal O'Brien 4-0 Ryan Causton Round 1
39 Rory McLeod 4-1 Ian McCulloch Round 1
40 Tom Ford 4-1 David Grace Round 1
41 Jimmy Robertson 4-1 Adrian Gunnell Round 1
44 Jamie Cope 4-1 Yannick Sablon Round 1
46 Ryan Day 2-4 Ashley Wright Round 1
48 Yu DeLu 1-4 David Hogan Round 1
56 Mark Davis 4-0 Les Dodd Round 1
60 Martin Gould 4-0 Joe Swail Round 1

11am

45 John Higgins 4-2 Matthew Couch Round 1
47 Ken Doherty 4-1 Allan Taylor Round 1
49 Mark Joyce 3-4 Aditya Mehta Round 1
50 Matthew Selt 4-2 Barry Pinches Round 1
52 Sam Craigie 4-0 Lucky Vatnani Round 1
53 Matthew Stevens 4-3 Rene Hemelsoet Round 1

 

11.30am

42 Mike Dunn 4-1 Mark Williams Round 1
51 Luca Brecel 4-2 Jamie O'Neill Round 1
54 Anthony McGill 1-4 Marco Fu Round 1
55 Dave Harold 2-4 Gary Wilson Round 1

 

12.30pm

43 Allister Carter 4-0 Jonathan Fulcher Round 1
57 Li Yan 1-4 Peter Bullen Round 1
58 Dominic Dale 4-2 Rod Lawler Round 1
59 Jamie Burnett v Paul Davison w/o Round 1

 

1pm

33 Judd Trump 4-1 Martin O'Donnell Round 1
34 Craig Steadman 4-2 Mark Vincent Round 1
35 Jimmy White 4-2 Bjorn Haneveer Round 1
36 Sam Baird 4-2 Jurgen van den Bossche Round 1

 

2pm

61 Andy Hicks 4-0 Andy van Landeghem Round 1
62 Tony Drago 3-4 Gerard Greene Round 1
63 Xiao Guodong 4-1 Sam Harvey Round 1
64 Mark Selby 4-1 Liam Monk Round 1

3.30pm

81 Judd Trump 4-2 Craig Steadman Round 2
82 Jimmy White 4-2 Sam Baird Round 2
83 Nigel Bond 3-4 Fergal O'Brien Round 2
84 Rory McLeod 1-4 Tom Ford Round 2
85 Jimmy Robertson 0-4 Mike Dunn Round 2
86 Ali Carter 3-4 Jamie Cope Round 2
87 John Higgins 4-0 Ashley Wright Round 2
88 Ken Doherty 4-0 David Hogan Round 2
89 Aditya Mehta 4-1 Matthew Selt Round 2
91 Matthew Stevens 4-3 Marco Fu Round 2

 

5pm

90 Luca Brecel 4-1 Sam Craigie Round 2
92 Gary Wilson 2-4 Mark Davis Round 2
93 Peter Bullen 2-4 Dominic Dale Round 2
94 Paul Davison 2-4 Martin Gould Round 2
95 Andy Hicks 4-0 Gerard Greene Round 2
96 Xiao Guodong 2-4 Mark Selby Round 2

7.30pm

105 Judd Trump 4-3 Jimmy White Round 3
106 Fergal O'Brien 1-4 Tom Ford Round 3
107 Mike Dunn 4-1 Jamie Cope Round 3
108 John Higgins 4-1 Ken Doherty Round 3
109 Aditya Mehta 4-2 Luca Brecel Round 3
110 Matthew Stevens 4-2 Mark Davis  Round 3
111 Dominic Dale 2-4 Martin Gould Round 3
112 Andy Hicks 4-1 Mark Selby Round 3