News from the green baize

March 14, 2019 Monique Snooker Snooker

Last monday, Worldsnooker has published the criteria for invitations to the World Championship qualifiers. Here they are:

Monday 11 Mar 2019 10:00AM

The qualification criteria for the 2019 Betfred World Championship has today been announced by snooker’s world governing body the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) and World Snooker.

As in previous seasons the top 16 players on the world ranking list following the conclusion of next month’s China Open will be seeded straight through to the final stages of the tournament at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre which will be played from 20 April – 6 May 2019.

They will be joined at snooker’s most famous venue by 16 qualifiers who will emerge from a field of 128 players during the previous week. The qualifying line-up will comprise all remaining professional players who are eligible to enter, to be topped up to a maximum of 112 with players from the 2018 Q School Order of Merit.

The field will be completed by 16 amateur players who have achieved success through the WPBSA qualifying criteria set out below:

4 – Challenge Tour 2018/19 – top four ranked players (Brandon Sargeant, David Grace, Mitchell Mann and David Lilley)

5 – EBSA European U-21 / U-18 Championship 2018 semi-finalists (Jackson Page, Aaron Hill, Ross Bulman, Dylan Emery, Florian Nüßle)

2 – World Women’s Snooker Tour – top two ranked players (Ng On Yee, Reanne Evans)

1 – World Seniors Snooker Tour – top ranked player Jonathan Bagley

1 – African champion (TBC)

1 –Americas champion (Igor Figueiredo)

1 – Oceania champion (TBC)

1 – CBSA nomination (TBC)

Should any of the above-named players decline their invitation then consideration will be given to alternative qualifying routes, to include continental championships and the 2018 Q School Order of Merit.

The draw for the qualifiers, which will be held at the English Institute for Sport in Sheffield will be made following the conclusion of the China Open next month. Each of the players competing must win three matches to earn a coveted place at the final stages of snooker’s most prestigious tournament.

I’m pleased to see that five spots have been allocated specifically to young players through EBSA U21 and U18 Championships, and of course, Brandon Sargeant, who will get a tour card next season via the Challenge Tour, is only 21. I first saw Brandon play at SWSA, when he was only a child. He impressed me right away.

It’s also good to see four players getting there via the Challenge Tour. The Challenge Tour is a great idea, but IMO needs some “re-thinking”. As it stands now, with only two players qualifying via a money list, many players feel like they are out of it early in the season. A system where the top 16 of the list compete in a “play-off” event at the end of the season would keep more players interested for the whole duration. Also the events need more exposure. I can’t understand why they are not open to the general public for viewing. And surely having one table streamed would not be that expensive?

There is not much to object to the selection of On Yee and Reanne Evans to represent women snooker. Reanne did run Ken Doherty very, very close in this event a couple of years back. But there is another women player who I wish would be invited: 19 years old Nutcharut Wongharuthai. She’s a great prospect and a lovely person.

Not convinced? Read this

Tuesday 12 Mar 2019 10:06AM

Thailand’s Nutcharut Wongharuthai yesterday compiled a 147 maximum break for the first time in her career at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Thailand.

The world women’s number eight ranked player completed the magical break during a practice match and it is believed that the break is the first ever 147 to be made by a woman in a match, either in practice or tournament play.

The feat follows a successful breakthrough year in 2018 for 19-year-old Wongharuthai, who reached two ranking finals during the calendar year on her way to breaking into the world’s top ten for the first time. She also won the World Women’s Under-21 Championship for the first time last April and will return to the UK to defend her title next month.

and watch this !

There will be three “Seniors” players in the draw: David Lilley, Jonathan Bagley and Igor Figueiredo. All are very good players and not to be underestimated.

The World Championships qualifiers is a great event to attend. There is a lot of quality snooker to watch, a lot of drama and it’s really affordable too. If you can, get yourself there!

And if you are in Sheffield, on April 11, and want something a bit different, there is also the WSS ROKiT Seniors Masters at the Crucible itself. You can read all about this one here. It’s a great opportunity to sample the Crucible atmosphere and to see Legends of our sport in action.

Tour Championship 2019 news

March 13, 2019 Monique Professional snooker tournament Professional snooker

Worldsnooker has published some infos about the Tour Championship 2019 draw and formatTuesday 12 Mar 2019 10:56AM

Six of the eight top snooker stars competing in next week’s Coral Tour Championship have been confirmed, and first round matches scheduled for the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump.

The brand new tournament runs from March 19 to 24 at Venue Cymru in Llandudno and it’s the culmination of the Coral Snooker Series. A top prize of £150,000 will be up for grabs in the ITV-televised event.

The line-up features the top eight players on the one-year ranking list at the end of this week’s Gibraltar Open. The top six are already sure of qualification:

One-year ranking list leader Mark Allen
Five-time World Champion and Coral Players Championship winner Ronnie O’Sullivan
Coral World Grand Prix champion Judd Trump
Former World Champion Neil Robertson
Current world number one Mark Selby
Reigning World Champion Mark Williams

The other two places will be decided in Gibraltar this week, with Stuart Bingham, Kyren Wilson and David Gilbert battling for those two spots.

In the first round in Llandudno, Robertson will face Selby, with that best-of-17 frame match to be played to a finish on the opening day, Tuesday March 19.

Trump will take on Williams, with the first session on the afternoon of March 19, and the conclusion the following afternoon.

O’Sullivan will face his opponent on the evening of March 19, with the second session of that match on the evening of March 20. And Allen will take on his opponent in both sessions on March 20.

If crowd favourite O’Sullivan comes through his opening match he will take on Trump or Williams in the best-of-19 semi-final on Thursday March 21, over two sessions. The other semi-final will be on Friday March 22, with the best-of-25 frame final to be played over three sessions on the Saturday and Sunday.

A spokesman for World Snooker said: “We are thrilled to be heading back to Llandudno which is one of the best venues on the circuit. The new Coral Tour Championship is a fantastic addition to our calendar, bringing together an elite field of the best eight players this season.

“And we have a superb line up with six top stars already confirmed – those six have 12 world titles and over 100 ranking titles between them! The race is on to win the inaugural Coral Cup, to be awarded to the player who wins the most money across the Coral Snooker Series. Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump are leading the way, but with a top prize of £150,000 available there are others who have a chance.

“It will be a week of the highest quality snooker and a great opportunity for fans in North Wales to watch the very best players live.

“Tickets start at just £15 and there is still availability but fans must book quickly because certain sessions will sell out now that the format has been announced.”

It will be interesting to see what type of crowd this event draws. When Barry Hearn shortened the UK format, his justification was that the audience on site and on television want to see a result at the end of the session.

Their views on Ronnie…

March 12, 2019 Monique Interview Interview

Following Ronnie’s victory in Preston, and his history making 1000th century, the Daily Mail went to ask his friends how they see him. So here it is…

The remarkable Ronnie O’Sullivan reached the milestone of 1,000 century breaks with a thrilling 134 to retain the Players Championship in Preston on Sunday. In true O’Sullivan fashion, he even switched to left-handed to roll in the crucial red.

Next best in terms of tons is Stephen Hendry, who hit 775 during his illustrious career, proving that O’Sullivan, 43, is in a league of his own.

Sportsmail spoke to those who know him best to discover the secrets to his success…

RAY REARDON

(Six-time world champion and coach in 2004)

I had a bit of a calming effect on him. When he couldn’t pot all the balls I showed him there was another side to the game. It was a small department that was missing — he didn’t like playing that way.

Over the past 20 years he’s been top notch but he’s a bit better now. He’s got more systems within the system. He sees the game better than anybody, much better than I saw it. The balls open up and he’s so clever and in control of the cue ball. He’s a bit of a genius.

He’s the best player I’ve ever seen, when he’s there. Sometimes he’s there in person but his mind’s not on the game, but that’s Ronnie. The main thing is he’s happy. If you’re happy you can play better.

Former coach Ray Reardon says O’Sullivan is the best snooker player that he’s ever seen

PROFESSOR STEVE PETERS

(Consultant psychiatrist)

Ronnie came to me eight years ago and we instantly formed a rapport. My job is to help people help themselves. It’s easy when you get someone like Ronnie as he’s so keen.

He’s worked very hard on the mental skills and continues to do so. It’s no different to the physical — it’s about keeping psychologically fit. Our emotions are usually the beliefs we hold. We make sure these are solid beliefs which are constructive.

We stay in touch regularly and he’s doing so well. I think what he’s developed in his own mind is that he’s absolutely driven and determined, but he’s more driven than he was. He’s learnt to gain perspective on things and not be as harsh on himself. We’re hoping he’ll play until he’s 50. That’s our aim.

The 43-year-old has worked very hard on the mental side of the game and continues to do so

DAMIEN HIRST

(Artist and friend)

I was a Ronnie fan and when I met him six years ago we became mates. I guess I keep him calm.

I get to as many tournaments as I can and he comes to my Hammersmith studio to help me finish paintings. I give him a colour and say: ‘Put some here’. He’s my assistant.

Ronnie’s insane. I remember a first-to-nine against John Higgins. He was 8-3 down but said: ‘He twitched, I think I’ve got him’. He lost 9-8 but it was mad — what on earth gives you that feeling?

That’s why he’s exciting — because he’s instinctive. In art I aspire to that, but pain comes with it — he plays brilliantly or terribly and that’s the pain of genius. He wants to entertain. He often says: ‘I’d rather lose and play well than win and play s***.’

Ronnie’s biggest fear is not knowing when to quit. He has to be top of the game or he won’t be interested. He’s doing a good job selecting when he wants to play and because he’s winning he’s getting the ranking points, but not doing the leg work that everyone else is. He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. I just want him to be happy.

Artist Damien Hirst says that his old friend’s biggest fear is not knowing when to quit

STEPHEN FEENEY

(Inventor of SightRight coaching)

We started working together this season. He wasn’t enjoying playing and I did a test that showed him he wasn’t sighting a straight line.

In practice we do around 12 long shots with his eyes shut. When I link him in on the correct line all he has to do is pull the trigger.

He’s incredibly focused, a perfectionist. He beats himself up but he’s learning to accept that he can’t do everything.

If we can help him become even greater and his long game becomes the best in the world, there’s a big problem for other players.

It’s a work in progress but if you saw him in practice you would go: ‘Wow!’ We’re so close, it’s exciting. Can he go for another five years? Without doubt — and that’s what he wants.

SightRight inventor Stephen Feeney has no doubt O’Sullivan can keep going for five years

RHIANNON LAMBERT

(Registered nutritionist)

I started working with Ronnie in September 2017. His mood wasn’t great, he said he was struggling to get motivated and had lost his love for the game.

He couldn’t concentrate, had leg injuries from over-training and was gaining weight due to a high fat, high protein, low carbohydrate diet.

I stripped back his running and reintroduced carbohydrates for concentration and muscle recovery, and he lost two stones quickly. We cut down his portions, especially healthy fats — he ate three avocados a day.

He’s got a healthy routine now — porridge in the morning, snacks when he’s training and healthy alternatives for dinner. He is so organised, making up batches of spices and freezing them for curries he loves cooking with his kids. I’m so proud of him.

Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert is proud of the snooker star for sticking to his healthy routine

STEPHEN HENDRY

(Seven-time world champion)

I know what he’s thinking two or three shots in advance — it’s a snooker brain.

When he’s making a century break you look at the balls and see when he’s going to split the reds. It makes commentary very easy!

He’s become more of a percentage player. I hate that term because it doesn’t fit Ronnie.

He’s still aggressive, but because he’s so good he doesn’t need to take risks anymore.

He can wait it out and tie his opponent in knots, then he gets in and the frame’s over. When he’s on form it’s almost perfect snooker.

Former rival Stephen Hendry thinks O’Sullivan’s game is almost perfect when on form

JIMMY WHITE

(Friend and fellow Eurosport expert)

Occasionally you get sports people come along who have that something special — like Seve Ballesteros and Sugar Ray Leonard — and create that buzz when they play. Ronnie is one of those geniuses.

He’s threatened to quit but I think that is because he’s not a good traveller. He knows sometimes he has to go to China or wherever for ranking points and when he’s focused, no one has ever been more dedicated than Ronnie.

When he does the punditry in the Eurosport studio everybody listens to him, especially the players — Neil Robertson records it.

They want to hear his insight because he’s got such a different outlook on the game. That’s why he took it to a new level. His passion for it is second to none.

Jimmy White says O’Sullivan’s passion for the game of snooker is second to none

BARRY HEARN

(Chairman of World Snooker)

I have known Ronnie since he was 12 and I hope that I am his friend. He’s as mad as a hatter but geniuses often are.

He causes me a few problems but I wish I had six players like him. He’s still my favourite and I’d put him above Davis, Hendry and Higgins. It’s that genius that gives him the inconsistency. He’s a one-off.

Sport needs personalities and Ronnie breaks all the rules — right-handed or left-handed, a five-and-a-half-minute 147. There’s never been anyone like him.

As much as I like to be in control you have to change your thinking with O’Sullivan because of what he brings to the table.

Quite often we will disagree. But Ronnie knows that I’m the best in the world at what I do and I am absolutely convinced that he’s the best in the world at what he does. So we have a marriage which may not be made in heaven, but it’s pretty damn close.

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn says O’Sullivan is still his favourite player in the game

Enjoy!

Players Championship 2019 – Ronnie is your champion!

March 10, 2019April 24, 2020 Monique Professional snooker tournament Professional snooker

Ronnie has defended his Players Championship title tonight, beating Neil Robertson by 10-4. It was Ronnie’s 50th ranking final, and 35th ranking title, just one short of Stephen Hendry’s record.

But what will stay in the memories most, is that he clinched victory with a 134, his 1000th competitive century, setting a new milestone in the history of snooker. Ronnie received a long standing ovation whilst potting the last balls, and celebrated with the crowd after receiving the trophy. He dedicated his 1000th ton to all the snooker fans around the world.

Let’s enjoy the moment with a few pictures.

Thanks to Tai Chengzhe

Here are the reports by Worldsnooker:

The Match:

Sunday 10 Mar 2019 09:23PM

Ronnie O’Sullivan achieved another high in his extraordinary career by making his 1,000th century in the last frame of a 10-4 victory over Neil Robertson in the final of the Coral Players Championship in Preston.

Ever the showman, O’Sullivan made his milestone break at the perfect moment, to seal the title at the Guild Hall. A packed crowd cheered every shot as he became the first player to make 1,000 career tons (read more about that story here).

Victory gave O’Sullivan his 35th ranking title, bringing him within one of Stephen Hendry’s record. He dominated the final with a brilliant display, making three centuries and eight more breaks over 50 as he successfully completed the defence of his title and scooped the £125,000 top prize.

It has been a remarkable few months for O’Sullivan; in December he won his seventh UK Championship title and 19th Triple Crown event, beating records set by Steve Davis and Hendry. Now he has yet another piece of history and it surely won’t be long before he equals and then beats Hendry’s record of 36 ranking titles.

This was O’Sullivan’s 50th ranking final, the first coming 26 years ago at the same venue when he beat Hendry in the final of the UK Championship at the age of just 17.

The Chigwell cueman, now 43, has played in nine tournaments so far this season, reaching six finals and winning four. His earnings for the season now stand at £754,500, bringing him within striking distance of becoming the first player to top the £1 million mark in a single campaign. O’Sullivan moves one place up to second in the world rankings and could overtake Mark Selby at the top of the list if he wins the Coral Tour Championship later this month.

Australia’s Robertson had been aiming for his 16th ranking title and victory would have given him three in a season for the first time, having already won the Riga Masters and Welsh Open. But the 37-year-old could not live with his opponent today and had to accept the £50,000 runner-up prize after losing to O’Sullivan for the 15th time in 22 meetings.

Trailing 7-2 after the first session, Robertson needed a fast start tonight and got it with a 120 total clearance in the opening frame. O’Sullivan responded with a break of 90, missing out on a chance for the 1,000th century when the last red stayed above the jaws of a corner pocket.

Robertson took frame 12 with 35 and 36 to make it 8-4 and ensure that the session would go to an interval, then O’Sullivan compiled runs of 43 and 37 in the 13th to go five ahead with six to play.

And he sealed the match in sensational style with a break of 134, which in fact would have been a 141 total clearance had he not gone in-off after potting the final black. The two players laughed as Robertson informed his opponent that the in-off had cost him the tournament-high break prize of £5,000 as it would have beaten Robertson’s mark of 140. Still, nothing could spoil O’Sullivan’s moment.

“I knew I had to play well today,” said O’Sullivan. “I have played well all week and played brilliantly today. To cap it off with the 1,000th century was great. I was pleased to do it against Neil because he’s probably the nicest human being on the circuit. There’s no player I’d rather share that moment with other than Ding Junhui or Liang Wenbo.

“This is one of the best venues we get to play at, I love playing here. Since I was seven or eight I have just potted snooker balls, I love the game. To share this with the fans here and around the world – Preston is lucky that it was here tonight but it’s for the fans everywhere.

“It has been a history making year for me with 19 majors, 1,000 centuries and I’m within touching distance of Hendry’s record of 36 ranking titles. I’m not someone who looks at records, it’s nice when I reach them but it’s not my motivation.”

Robertson said: “I had high hopes going into the match but I couldn’t do much about the way Ronnie played. He probably plays a final like that once every two or three years. I kept trying all the way through and did well to stay in there. I only missed a few tough shots, he won at least five or six frames where I didn’t make a mistake.

“It was great to be in the arena when he made the 1,000th century. I’m delighted for him, he’s a wonderful champion and the game’s greatest ever player.”

Both players will be in action at the Coral Tour Championship in Llandudno (March 19-24), for ticket details click here.

The 1000 centuries:

Sunday 10 Mar 2019 09:16PM

Ronnie O’Sullivan became the first player to make 1,000 career century breaks during the final of the Coral Players Championship on Sunday evening.

O’Sullivan reached this historic landmark with a run of 134 in the 14th and last frame on the final against Neil Robertson at the Guild Hall in Preston, securing a 10-4 victory. Fans rose to salute the Rocket as he celebrated this marvellous achievement.

It is a feat comparable to Pelé scoring his 1,000^thgoal in 1969, or Sunil Gavaskar becoming the first player to score 10,000 test runs in 1987.

Second on the all-time list of century makers is Stephen Hendry, who made 775 tons during his illustrious career, and the huge gap of 225 shows just how prolific O’Sullivan has been.

In his debut professional season back in 1992/93, O’Sullivan made 29 centuries – only Hendry made more that term – and the Rocket has been a regular scorer of three-figure totals ever since, establishing himself as the best break-builder of all-time. His biggest tally in a single season came in 2017/18 when he made 74.

O’Sullivan also leads the way when it comes to maximum breaks. His 147 at the English Open earlier this season was the 15^th of his career. Hendry made 11 maximums before he retired in 2012, while John Higgins (nine), Ding Junhui (six) and Shaun Murphy (five) are the only other players to make more than four 147s. The Rocket has also made the most centuries at the Crucible with 166, followed by Higgins with 138 and Hendry with 127.

Aged 43, the Chigwell native has contemplated retirement many times over the years but has also suggested he could play until he is at least 50, so he could set the bar very high in terms of career centuries by the time he puts his cue away for good.

However, with more tournaments now than ever before, and playing conditions at a high standard across the tour, there will come a time when O’Sullivan’s record haul of centuries is eclipsed. Judd Trump already has 596 at the age of just 29, so if he makes an average of 50 per season over the next decade, he will fly well past the 1,000 mark.

But for now it is time to salute the magnificence of O’Sullivan’s accomplishment.

Most career centuries

Ronnie O’Sullivan 1,000
Stephen Hendry 775
John Higgins 745
Neil Robertson 621
Judd Trump 596
Mark Selby 570
Ding Junhui 498
Marco Fu 490
Shaun Murphy 479
Mark Williams 460

And the coverage:

Congratulations Ronnie!

The response on social media was tremendous. David Hendon took the opportunity to remind the BBC that Ronnie has never even been shortlisted for SPOTY. Fellow professionals, members of the press, and WPBSA officials came forward with congratulations. And Ronnie himself forgot his Aussie accent for a moment! What a night!

Players Championship 2019 – Ronnie joins Neil Robertson in the final

March 10, 2019April 25, 2020 Monique Snooker

The defending Champion is through to the Final, without really hitting his best form. Yesterday he whitewashed Mark Allen in the second semi-final. Mark was poor all match. This is Ronnie’s sixth final this season, of eight events he entered. Not bad!

Here is the report by Worldsnooker:

Saturday 9 Mar 2019 09:20PM

Ronnie O’Sullivan reached the 50th ranking event final of his career by thrashing Mark Allen 6-0 at the Coral Players Championship.

O’Sullivan will face Neil Robertson over 19 frames at the Guild Hall in Preston on Sunday, with the winner to take the trophy and top prize of £125,000.

It’s 26 years since O’Sullivan reached his first ranking final at the same venue at the 1993 UK Championship, beating Stephen Hendry to win it at the age of 17. He is now aiming for a 35th ranking title, which would bring him within one of Hendry’s record of 36.

Chigwell’s O’Sullivan has been remarkably prolific this season; of the nine tournaments he has contested he has reached six finals. The 43-year-old has won the Shanghai Masters, Champion of Champions and UK Championship, and finished runner-up to Judd Trump at the Northern Ireland Open and the Masters. If he wins tomorrow his prize money for the season will go past the £750,000 mark.

While tonight’s scoreline was one-sided, O’Sullivan in fact was far from his best, managing just two breaks over 50. His career century tally remains at 997 so he will need three in the final to reach the 1,000 milestone.

Northern Ireland’s Allen has won two ranking titles this season but couldn’t find any rhythm this time. He had chances in each of the first five frames but managed a high break of just 33. O’Sullivan made a top break of 84 in going 5-0 ahead and secured victory in the sixth with a 59.

“I played pretty well,” said world number three O’Sullivan. “I seemed to adapt to the conditions a bit better than Mark. I’m pleased to be in the final, I will enjoy it. I like this venue, I’ve been coming here since 1993 and I’ve had a few other finals. It’s a great venue, a great tournament and a knowledgeable crowd. The fans get into their snooker and they know the game.

“I’m expecting a tight match tomorrow, it could be tense. I’m going to have fun and try to hang on to his coat tails.”

Allen said: “I played poorly and didn’t handle the conditions. I got as much as I deserved from the match. You can’t afford to make the mistakes I made tonight against anyone. It’s disappointing because I didn’t come here to get to the semi-finals, I come to tournaments to win them.”

Coverage:

MissingClip MSI

Ronnie was very critical of the conditions as you can hear, but without aggression. His own assessment is that he’s playing well but the conditions prevented both players to show their best.

Huge thanks to Tai Chengzhe for those great images!

Players Championship 2019 – Day 5

March 9, 2019September 16, 2019 Monique Professional snooker tournament Professional snooker

Yesterday in Preston we had the last of the quarter-finals and the first of the semi-finals.

Ronnie beat John Higgins by 6-4 in the last quarter-finals and you can read all about that match here.

Neil Robertson beat Judd Trump by 6-4 in the first semi-final and he will be waiting for the winner of the second semi-final – Mark Allen v Ronnie – that is played tonight.

This is the report by Worldsnooker:

Friday 8 Mar 2019 10:55PM

Neil Robertson came from 3-1 down to beat Judd Trump 6-4 and reach the final of the Coral Players Championship, ending Trump’s chances of a potential £500,000 jackpot.

Robertson will face Ronnie O’Sullivan or Mark Allen over 19 frames in Preston on Sunday, with the winner to take the £125,000 top prize. Australia’s 37-year-old Robertson has already won the Riga Masters and Welsh Open this season and is aiming to win three ranking titles in a single campaign for the first time in his career.

Trump captured the Coral World Grand Prix crown last month and had been targeting the Coral Slam. Victory this week and at the Coral Tour Championship would have seen his total prize money for the series rounded up to £500,000. Bristol’s Trump has been arguably the player of the season so far, but tonight he let his grasp slip on the match after a strong start.

Breaks of 62 and 100 gave him the first two frames. Robertson pulled one back with a run of 71 but Trump dominated frame four with 47 and 48 to lead 3-1 at the interval.

Robertson’s fight back started with a superb 140 total clearance, the new front-runner for the £5,000 high break prize. In frame six, Trump had a chance to clear from 54-0 down, but after fluking the final yellow and potting the green, he missed the brown with the rest on 44. Robertson took advantage to make it 3-3 , then won the seventh on the colours and made a 68 in the next to lead 5-3.

Trump pulled one back but his hopes were quashed in frame ten when Robertson potted a thumping long red to initiate a match-winning run of 59.

“At 3-1 down I had to keep my composure and keep cool under pressure,” said world number eight Robertson. “Judd looked in great touch and not much was going right for me. I had to keep believing in myself and show him I was up for the fight. He started to miss a few balls which he hadn’t done before the interval. Snooker is all about taking advantage of your opportunities.

“I won’t watch the other semi-final tomorrow, when I get a day off I prefer to chill out and forget about snooker. I’ll relax, do a bit of practice and get ready for the final.

“This will be my fourth ranking event final of the season so it has been a fantastic season whatever happens. It’s just so nice to have my game back so I can compete for all the big events and players are having to play really well to beat me which has not been the case in the last couple of years. I am really proud of the way I have turned things around.”

Tonight’s result means that eight of the 13 matches so far this week have finished with a 6-4 scoreline.

This match was again an illustration of the reasons why I’m not overawed by Judd Trump like so many seem to be. Is he THE player of the season? I don’t think so. He is one of the players of the season, along with Mark Allen who tops the one year list, Neil Robertson who like Judd has won two rankers this season, plus another final, and Ronnie who despite playing a “reduced calendar” has already won three titles, including the UK championship, and made it to two other finals. When he is in full flow, Judd looks unstoppable, but, as this match has shown once again, put him under pressure and doubts start to creep in, accuracy suffers, and he’s there for the taking. If Jack Lisowski had a better temperament, Judd wouldn’t even have been in this semi-final at all.

Here is Neal Foulds preview of the second semi final:

Players Championship 2019 – Ronnie beats John Higgins in the QF

March 8, 2019April 25, 2020 Monique Professional snooker tournament Professional snooker

Ronnie beat John Higgins by 6-4 to book his place in the semi finals of the Players Championship 2019. It was a match in two parts. For the first three frames neither player looked able to control the cue ball and there wasn’t a single break over 50. Ronnie’s long potting had gone missing and he was leaving a tempter for John from each break-off. John’s long potting was better but he was missing unexpectedly in the balls. From what Ronnie said in his press conference the conditions were really difficult – the cushions being “pingy” – and they needed time to adapt.

In the last before the MSI John made a 96 and the match changed. After the MSI, Ronnie’s long potting was still poor, but he was focused, his safety was very good and he was very reliable in the balls. That made the difference. Ronnie had a 92 and two centuries. The last frame was very, very tense. Overall it was an enjoyable match for the neutral, it had a bit of everything.

Here are a few images, thanks to Tai Chengzhe.

and the report by Worldsnooker:

Friday 8 Mar 2019 04:51PM

Ronnie O’Sullivan got the better of a battle of two of snooker’s all-time greats at the Coral Players Championship, beating John Higgins 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.

The Rocket will face Mark Allen in the last four at the Preston Guild Hall in Saturday at 7pm, with the winner going through to Sunday’s final to compete for the £125,000 top prize (limited number of tickets still available, for details click here).

Just as he did after the opening round on Monday, O’Sullivan put on a comical Australian accent for his post match interviews. But on the table there are no distractions from the serious business as he seeks to defend this title and chases a fourth trophy of the season. The 43-year-old is also just three centuries away from a milestone achievement of 1,000 career tons.

Today’s meeting between O’Sullivan and Higgins was their 62nd since turning pro in 1992, with O’Sullivan now leading the head-to-head record 34-28.

It was a cagey start, the first three frames taking 52 minutes, without a break over 50. O’Sullivan took two of those, then Higgins got going with a run of 96 for 2-2.

After the interval, O’Sullivan stepped up a gear with 101 and 92 to go 4-2 up. Higgins responded with 65 and 61 to take the seventh frame, then O’Sullivan’s 116, his 997th career century, made it 5-3.

A scrappy ninth frame went to Wizard of Wishaw Higgins and he had a clear chance in the tenth but missed the pink to a top corner on 16. O’Sullivan replied with 53, and though he under-cut a frame-ball pot on the penultimate red to a centre pocket, he got another chance and potted the last red to seal the contest.

“It’s always a tough game with John, he’s a great player,” said five-time World Champion O’Sullivan. “I’m pleased to be in the next round. Mark Allen has had a very good season, winning two tournaments. I’ll have to play well.”

Today’s result means that Higgins cannot qualify for the Coral Tour Championship in Llandudno later this month, as he had to win the title this week to earn a spot in North Wales. The top six players on the one-year ranking list (Mark Allen, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby, O’Sullivan and Mark Williams) are sure of their places. Next week’s Gibraltar Open will see Stuart Bingham, Kyren Wilson and David Gilbert battle for the other two spots.

There is another aspect too: should Ronnie win this tournament, he would return to World n°1 in the provisional seeding that will count for the Crucible … maybe not for long as there are a lot of points for the grabs in Llandudno and he’s not going to China, but still.

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