Matthew Selt summoned a superb fightback from 5-2 down to beat Nigel Bond 6-5 and clinch a Judgement Day spot at Betfred World Championship qualifying.
Former Indian Open champion Selt came into the Sheffield event in strong form, having produced his best showing of the season so far last month by reaching the semi-finals of the Gibraltar Open.
Selt has bowed out in the final round of qualifying in each of the last two years. He’ll be hoping not to suffer the same fate this year when he goes up against Scott Donaldson with a Crucible place on the line. The Essex cueman last graced the Theatre of Dreams in 2015.
The early signs indicated a straightforward afternoon could be in the offing for Selt, after he composed breaks of 64 and 137 to take a 2-0 lead.
However, 55-year-old Bond hit back and notched up four frames on the spin, before a superb break of 122 took him a frame from victory at 5-2.
Selt refused to wilt and produced a break building burst to wrest the momentum back in his favour. Runs of 60, 54 and a tournament high break of 142 forced a decider. Selt showed his class by making 110 to seal the dramatic 6-5 win.
“Once Nigel got a foothold in the game, he pretty much strangled me,” admitted 36-year-old Selt. “When I was 3-2 and 4-2 down I was sat in my chair telling myself I had bottled it to be honest. My game is really good at the moment. I’ve played Nigel a few times and he doesn’t give you anything, he wouldn’t give you a nod in the desert.
“At 5-2 down I was assuming that I was going home. Mentally that was very draining for me. I’m very proud of how I have played, but I’m very lucky to still be in.
“I’m 36 years of age and I have three appearances at the Crucible. It’s not really what I dreamed of growing up. As we are sitting here doing this interview, the relief is starting to come through. I know how good my game is, it is the best it has ever been. I’m looking forward to a best of 19 and a chance to get back to the Crucible.”
That was just one of four remarkable matches this afternoon, which all went down to deciding frames. Selt’s Judgement Day opponent Donaldson came from 5-4 down to beat Dominic Dale 6-5.
In the other two matches, world number 17 Zhou Yuelong defeated Chinese compatriot Xu Si 6-5 and Liam Highfield beat Elliot Slessor 6-5. They will now face each other for a place at the Crucible.
Kurt Maflin made three century breaks on his way to an impressive 6-4 defeat of Jak Jones. The Norwegian is now just one win away from a second consecutive trip to the Crucible.
The morning action saw the second round reach a conclusion. Among the results was a 6-3 win for Mark King over Austrian amateur Florian Nuessle. That sets up a third round showdown against Luca Brecel, with a Judgement Day spot on the line.
Once again it focussed on not-so-young British players… unfortunately.
Zhou Yuelong beat Xu Si in the deciding frame of a VERY high quality match. Xu Si though should have done enough to stay on tour.
Chang Bingyu beat Tom Ford who once again showed sign of mental frailty under pressure. All the same it’s an excellent result for Chang, who should also be safe in the tour survival battle.
Chang and Xu are currently ranked 1 and 2 in the “one year redeem list”.
There is an interesting situation regarding that list: both Pang Junxu and Jamie Jones who are in the first year of a two years tour card, could still get into the top 64, at the expense of Chris Wakelin and Louis Heathcote. Should that happen, Wakelin and Heathcote would probably still stay on tour via the “one year redeem list”. It would however make a huge difference for them next season: on one hand they would go back to 0 points, on the other hand they would be assured to get another two seasons and avoid battling on the fringe of the relegation zone next season. It also means that Duane Jones and Gerard Greene are under pressure to win their third round match to stay on tour, and that Jamie O’Neill and Andy Hicks are far from safe.
Yesterday’s result also means that Jimmy White is now set to be relegated from the Main Tour unless he can get back through the Q-School or receives another invitational tour card. Going by what Barry Hearn said in a recent interview, the latter is likely.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP -‘HE’S LIKE A MICHEL ROUX CAKE’ – RONNIE O’SULLIVAN ON ‘FRIGHTENING’ ROBERTSON
“His game is built to do well in Sheffield and over the years he’s added to his game and now he’s taken over from John Higgins as the player with the best all-around game. He plays safety very well, his temperament is brilliant, his scoring is unbelievable, his potting is just frightening, I’ve never seen anyone with a cue action as good as that.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan is in a relaxed mood ahead of the defence of his World Championship title, but believes Neil Robertson is the biggest obstacle to him winning at the Crucible for a seventh time.
The 45-year-old ended a seven-year wait for a sixth world title when beating Kyren Wilson in the final, but he has not won an event since that victory in August.
O’Sullivan has lost five successive finals, the most recent being at the hands of Neil Robertson in the Tour Championship.
He was comfortably second best to Robertson at Celtic Manor, and feels the Australian is favourite for the World Championship which gets underway on April 17.
“What happens at Sheffield is that when you get on a good run you seem to just win matches every year,” O’Sullivan said on Eurosport’s The Break podcast.
“It comes like a run in itself but then it can go the other way as well.
“I think [John] Higgins didn’t make a quarter-final for seven or eight years. You could have got any price you want down the bookies on that. I did the same from 2013 to 2021, I didn’t make a semi-final.
Robertson is the same. I think every player goes through a little phase like that in their career at Sheffield where they just don’t seem to be able to make the final stages.
“I think at some point that will change for Neil and when it does I think you’ll see him win one, get to a final, maybe three finals on the spin.
“His game is built to do well in Sheffield and over the years he’s added to his game and now he’s taken over from John Higgins as the player with the best all-around game. He plays safety very well, his temperament is brilliant, his scoring is unbelievable, his potting is just frightening, I’ve never seen anyone with a cue action as good as that.
SO, IF YOU’RE MAKING A CAKE AND PUTTING ALL THAT INTO IT YOU’RE GOING TO COME OUT WITH A ‘MICHEL ROUX’ CAKE AND THINK, ‘WOW, THAT TASTES AMAZING’.
O’Sullivan has shown patches of brilliance this season, but has not found form in the finals he has contested.
“I’m not nervous at all,” he said. “I’ve had a great season. I’ve enjoyed playing. Everything is really good.
“I go to a tournament like ‘have I got my running boots with me? Yeah OK great. Have I got my restaurants sorted? Yeah, great.’
I CAN DEAL WITH THE SNOOKER, WHATEVER IT THROWS AT ME I’M ALRIGHT BECAUSE I’VE GOT THOSE TWO THINGS IN PLACE SO THE SNOOKER BECOMES SOMETHING I JUST DO BECAUSE I’M THERE. IF I PLAY GREAT, BRILLIANT!
“I’m super-enthusiastic about playing, and continuing, and trying to go as far as I can in the tournament.
“If I’m not playing great, I know I’m not a grinder and there’s no point me doing what Jimmy [White] seems to be doing which is trying to grind it out, take my time, get focused and over-practice.
“You won’t see me on the practice tables before a match ever because I don’t want to know how I’m playing ten minutes before I go out there. I’d rather find out when I’m there.
“With that kind of attitude, it’s a lot easier to deal with because otherwise it becomes tough. It’s a tough sport anyway so you have to find that happy medium.
“I feel alright to be honest with you. It’s no secret; it’s not my favourite tournament. Last year it was a bit better because there was not so much smothering going on. So I enjoyed last year and this year has been OK. I’m looking forward to Sheffield but also looking forward to a bit of a break at the end of it.”
Commenting on the state of his game heading into the Crucible, O’Sullivan said: “I came back in the New Year, I took three or four weeks off after that, and I’ve enjoyed my snooker up until the Welsh [Open] when [John] Higgins gave me a good hiding.
“But I’ve enjoyed the best of three tournaments, I’ve enjoyed playing and just seeing where my game’s at. Every tournament hasn’t been about winning it’s been about ‘where’s my game now compared to last week?’ ‘I’ve taken three weeks off now, I wonder where it is compared to three weeks ago. OK not too bad.’
SO BECAUSE I WAS PLAYING A BIT MORE REGULARLY I WASN’T AT AS MUCH OF A DISADVANTAGE WHEN I WAS PLAYING. BEFORE I’D TAKE SIX OR SEVEN WEEKS OFF AND MISS SIX OR SEVEN TOURNAMENTS. WHEN I DID COME BACK IT TOOK ME THREE OR FOUR TOURNAMENTS TO EVEN HAVE A CHANCE TO COMPETE REALLY.
“It’s been a nice year in a way because I feel like I’ve had half a chance when I’ve played.”
Ronnie also gives his opinion on the Jimmy White vs Stephen Hendry match. It was a horrible draw for Jimmy who puts too much pressure of himself, as Stephen Hendy himself reckons.
Judd Trump: Snooker is stuck in a rut and this is how to fix it
Phil Haigh – Friday 9 Apr 2021
Judd Trump wants to see a serious shake up in snooker (Picture: Getty Images)
Judd Trump feels snooker is failing to move with the times and risks being left a long way behind other sports if changes aren’t made to attract a younger audience. The world number one has plenty of ideas on the matter and wants to see commentary, dress code, marketing and TV coverage all seriously shaken up.
The 31-year-old has enjoyed incredible success in the last three seasons, winning his first World Championship and Masters titles and taking his career prize money to well over £5m.
Far from resting on his laurels, though, he believes snooker faces a difficult future as it is not appealing to younger sports fans and he wants changes made fast.
The Ace sees two major problems with how the game is presented. Firstly, how the players dress, which he feels is completely unappealing to a younger audience.
Secondly, he believes snooker has something of an obsession with the past, showcasing veterans rather than young talent on the television, and allowing unbridled waves of nostalgia rather than living in the present.
Trump sees other sports modernising and urges snooker to follow their lead.
‘It’s kind of stuck in a rut a little bit, it’s fallen behind some of the other sports and not enough is being done on the whole image of snooker,’ Trump told Metro.co.uk.
‘I’ve got the golf on and their clothing is all changing, becoming more lenient for the younger generation. People don’t want to go around dressed in waistcoats nowadays, they did 40 years ago but snooker is falling behind, stuck in their own ways and other sports have moved on.
‘I don’t want to be stuck in a waistcoat walking to the Crucible, it’s not cool to be wearing that nowadays, if I think that then I know people younger than me won’t want to be dressed like that either.
‘Golfers are wearing hoodies, got Air Max shoes on. This was all good 30 years ago but to make new stars and make the game popular again in the UK and bring it back to where it was you need to move with the times.
‘Keep the trousers, shoes, just maybe polo shirts or something more relaxed and different. You don’t need to be dressed in a five-piece suit every time you go to a game. It would attract more sports sponsors, it’s difficult to attract different sponsors when you’re doing the same thing year-in-year-out.
‘To be honest, a lot of my friends aren’t big snooker fans. They just watch it for me and they don’t want to be seeing people dressed in waistcoats, it should be more appealing to young people.’
Trump believes that the powers that be are also failing to promote young players in the game, continuing to broadcast well-known names from previous eras rather than take a punt on emerging talent.
The world number one has been watching the World Championship qualifiers this week and felt the event has been a prime example of that problem.
‘It’s how they advertise games,’ Trump said. ‘A lot of younger players are coming through in this World Championship and the social media all seems to be about people who were popular 30 years ago.
‘I’m not picking on Ken [Doherty], but he played and the Twitter was all about, “the 1997 world champion.” They should be advertising the upcoming stars, like Jamie Clarke and Iulian Boiko were playing.
‘They can’t keep these players in the spotlight forever, they haven’t done anything for 10-15 years. Everything they’re doing is 15 years out of date and not enough is being done to advertise the younger players in the game.
‘Things are never going to change unless they take a risk on advertising to different people. Otherwise you’ll get to a point where the older generation of snooker fans will be gone and you’re stuck with nobody because they haven’t appealed to the younger generation now.’
Trump has become one of the biggest stars in the sport over the last three years (Picture: Getty Images)
Trump does recognise that it is a wide range of people that tournament organisers are trying to attract, with plenty of snooker fans wanting to see the old faces they know and love.
The Bristolian feels that this focus is harming the development of young players, though, and it is making it harder to discover the next Ronnie O’Sullivan.
‘I know a lot of people want to watch some of the older players but I wouldn’t even turn the TV on for people from 30 years ago,’ he said. ‘It’s only my point of view, I know people will disagree, but I’m trying to speak for younger people.
‘They don’t want to see people they don’t even remember, it was before my era.
‘A lot of teenagers want to see more appealing quicker players. Jamie Wilson the other day, people like that. How’s he going to get a target audience or make a name for himself if he’s not covered?
‘People love Ronnie because he’s so fast, Jamie Wilson is trying to get through but he’s not going to be seen on TV unless he gets to the semi-finals of the World Championship or something silly.
‘Someone like Wilson, I don’t know how good he’s going to be, but someone who is playing as quick as Ronnie O’Sullivan, it won’t be much more exciting than that. There is young talent out there but the viewing public doesn’t get to see it.’
Trump sees an unhealthy focus on the past in front of the cameras but behind them, especially among the BBC’s veteran group of commentators.
He admits he is lost immediately when tales of the distant past are told and wants to see some more modern voices covering the game.
‘There’s not enough trying out new things in snooker for me at the moment, it’s all the same every season, not enough excitement, not enough different dimensions,’ he said.
‘Change the coverage, the commentators who have been around a long time, change the way the game is spoken about.
Trump wants to see a more modern look to the game (Picture: Getty Images)
‘It doesn’t have to be every single tournament, but a few new faces. There’s not enough passion in their voices. When you hear people in Formula One, boxing, other sports, there’s someone with passion and a distinctive voice, kind of like what Clive Everton had. I think snooker is missing that at the moment, it’s all a bit samey.
‘It does frustrate me, not all of them, but when they start going on about things from the 1980s, I just don’t want to hear it.
‘Anyone my age, we just have no idea what they’re going on about, all these names, they just lose me immediately, lose my interest.
‘It’s doing nothing for making the game more appealing to the younger generation when they’re going on about something that happened 40 years ago. They need more of a mix, someone a bit younger at the same time as an older person. Then if someone is going on about a fact from 1975 they can just tell them to shut up.
‘It’s a lot of, “my friend did this” it’s just a little bit left behind, especially the BBC. I do like Eurosport’s coverage, [presenter] Andy Goldstein does an amazing job. I think the BBC need to mix it up a little bit more and get a few different personalities in the commentary box, maybe current players, get them in and ask them some stuff.
‘There’s no talk about the Golden Age of golf when the Masters is on, or the Golden Age of tennis at Wimbledon, it’s just about the here and now. Snooker is too much about 20-30 years ago. Is the standard better now? Nobody cares. The standard is what it is now and all that matters is the tournament coming up.’
Judd Trump plays the fan-friendly style similar to Ronnie O’Sullivan (Picture: Getty Images)
The world number one also wants to see other players take responsibility for making the game a more appealing prospect for viewers, although this is easier said than done for many who are fighting to earn a living on the baize.
‘It’s about making the game as attractive as possible,’ said Judd. ‘Still obviously trying to win, but it’s the manner of how I’m doing it.
‘Open the balls up, make it attractive and if you can bring more people to the game the prize money is going to go up and up rather than if you’re sat there battling a frame out for 50 minutes and boring everyone to death.
‘Some of the other players forget that it needs to be entertainment as well. For me it’s not all about the prize money, you can get sponsorships and other areas to earn money, that’s why I try to appeal to a wider audience rather than taking 30-35 seconds a shot trying to figure it out.’
The Juddernaut does not expect everyone to be pulling off the shots that he does on the baize, but he is aware that whatever he does on the table is a chance to bring in new fans to the sport.
A memorable shot against Barry Hawkins at the German Masters went viral on social media and Trump says he is intentionally trying these things to grow the sport.
‘If everyone was doing the same thing that would get boring,’ he said. ‘Everyone needs to have their own personality, but just the smallest moment like that, I looked like I was out of the game and it sort of spurred me on.
‘That shot appealed to people that don’t even watch snooker, people who would never have it on, but they’ll see it and it could make someone flick on during the World Championship, to then become a fan.
‘Small moments that you think don’t matter can find new followers at any single moment, especially with social media. Different ages, different countries that might not even see snooker normally.’
Trump wants to see things shaken up but hopes his ideas can be seen as constructive rather than him trying to have a scrap with snooker bosses.
He feels he is having to talk for a couple of generations that are being left behind but is happy to use his voice and platform to do so.
‘Everything is taken as a criticism rather than constructive debate, Barry Hearn’s done an amazing job,’ he said.
’50 per cent of people probably love what’s going on and love seeing the older players but the other 50 per cent don’t, so there’s got to be a compromise.
‘A bit more could be done by listening to some of the younger players’ thoughts and how they think we could go about making the game more glamorous and more appealing.
‘That’s where I’m trying to come from on the dress code and that side of things. I’m a bit older now at 31, but I can see it from a young person’s point of view.
‘Myself, Jack Lisowski, a few others, we have different mindsets to other people who, for them, snooker is their whole life and I can sort of see it from a different angle.
‘I can see it’s not quite appealing to the masses. For the younger generation, football, golf, tennis are taking the limelight.
‘We need to appeal to people from the UK and get them competing with the younger players from China because we’re getting left behind a little bit.’
OK, there are things I agree with and others I don’t.
Agreed.
There is too much focus on the past, especially when it comes to the BBC events. I’m 66, not 31 but I’m sick and tired of the 1985 final that was a terrible match except for the last minutes. I’m sick and tired of commentators admitting without a hint of shame that they know nothing about the young lad at the table. A minimum of professionalism involves doing your research. I’m sick and tired hearing them butchering “foreigners” names: if you’re not sure, ask, and if a Chinese/Belgian/German person tells you how to pronounce one of their fellow citizen’s name, listen. I’m sick and tired about the “golf” references: this is snooker and I’m not one bit interested in golf. I would love to see more young players on television or stream and can’t understand why in this time and age we don’t get the choice to watch ALL tables. It’s a contractual matter? Renegotiate those contracts. That way everyone can watch what they want to watch or all of of it if they so wish.
Disagreed
The dress code. There is nothing wrong with dressing smart. Waistcoats don’t need to be boring. There was a lot more fantasy in the past, colours, patterns, frills… go back to that, but KEEP the dress code for the major tournaments. Drop the bow tie for the minor ones. That’s all. Even with the current dress code some players manage to look scruffy, I don’t want to think what they would look like if it’s relaxed! I also don’t want snooker becoming a fashion show or a “vitrine” for over-expensive snobbish brands of shoes or clothes that only top players can afford, unless the said brand sponsors the event and fits ALL players accordingly.
And… this is me, but I’m sure I’m not alone … please keep the long sleeves. I don’t want to see tattoos covered arms, hands or any other body part. As I said, that’s me though.
Suggestion
Instead of systematically deleting matches from platforms like YouTube, work with the said platforms to find a way to satisfy your broadcasters whilst making past matches accessible to the general public. This IS the history of the game, this is how fans like me got interested, got to know and understand the game and how it evolved over time. Here are some suggestions: allow publication but only after a week, or a month … something reasonable. True fans will always want to watch the action when it happens. The delay should make sure that fans remain interested in paying for the broadcasting/stream and the broadcaster is fairly rewarded. Allow only “non-profit” sharing. But DO allow sharing.
Louis Heathcote took a big step towards tour survival by defeating Ashley Carty 6-2 in a must win second round clash at Betfred World Championship qualifying.
Leicester’s Heathcote was Rookie of the Year last season, in a campaign that saw him come within a match of the Crucible at the 2020 qualifiers. On that occasion he defeated Ali Carter on his way to the final round, where he eventually lost out against the recently retired Alan McManus.
However, he has struggled during his second season on the circuit. Heathcote came into today’s match knowing that only a win would keep his hopes of tour survival alive. The world number 67 produced a fine performance just when it was required.
The 23-year-old showcased his breakbuilding talent this morning, firing in runs of 51, 72, 65, 57, 77 and 104 on his way to a crucial victory. Heathcote now faces two-time ranking event winner Ryan Day in round three.
Heathcote said: “I played really well and I’m really proud of how I dealt with the pressure. I’ve been putting a lot of hard work in and it is nice to see the rewards there.
“I’ve really struggled in the second half of the season. I’ve not been in the best place with my confidence. I just thought I’d go out and enjoy it and if I have to go to Q School, so be it. That was the best I’ve played all season, so it is good to play like that with the pressure I was under.
“I’ve lost about four deciders this season and missed easy balls. I always say to my mum how bad I am under pressure! To play like that with my tour card on the line is amazing.”
James Cahill will require a trip to Q School if he is to retain his professional status. The Blackpool cueman succumbed to a 6-5 defeat to Gerard Greene to drop off the tour.
It was a crucial victory for Greene, who himself needed to win to remain in with a chance of staying on the circuit. Next up he faces Gary Wilson in round three for a Judgement day spot.
Welshman Daniel Wells also suffered relegation from the circuit after a 6-4 loss to compatriot Duane Jones. Victory for Jones means he is still in the hunt to stay on tour. He plays Martin Gould in the third round.
Poland’s Kacper Filipiak came through a vital clash with Jackson Page 6-5 to keep his tour survival bid alive. Defeat for Welshman Page sends him to Q School.
Swiss number one Alexander Ursenbacher booked his place in round three with a comprehensive 6-2 defeat of Germany’s Lukas Kleckers. He faces Martin O’Donnell in round three.
I find it very disappointing that there is NOTHING in this report about the fate of the Chinese players, except for Bai Langning who beat McManus, leading to the Scot’s retirement. Another example of the still strongly UK centric nature of the “World” snooker tour.
Luo Honghao who had made it to the Crucible on his first year as a pro, has stuggled badly since. He had won a titanic battle against Tom Ford in the last round of the qualifiers. He was whitewashed by Shaun Murphy on his debut at the Theatre of dreams, unable to compete properly because of a food poisoning. Yesterday, he was beaten by Peter Lines and he will now need to go to the Q-school if he wihes to regain his professional status. I don’t rate his chances very high and, should he succeed, I’m not sure it would be the best thing for him. He may need a reset: see his family, assess what he really wants for himself, and retrieve his technique that has deteriorated.
Si Jiahui will also need the Q-school to stay on tour. He’s only 18. I hope he gets another chance should he fail to immediately re-qualify.
Those two, and Yuan Sijun are extremely talented, very young, and good to watch … when we get the opportunity.
WST has stressed how hard it has been for Neil Robertson to make it to the top as an expat, and rightly so. Neil, who is 39, has been open about how much he has struggled being unable to see his family over long periods of time. Yet, Neil didn’t have to learn a different language to be able to communicate, and the Australian way of life in big cities isn’t probably that different from what is is in Europe. Just imagine how hard it must be for teenagers from Asia. All three mentioned above were barely more than kids where they started on the tour.
Today we have five more of those young Chinese players in action: Zhou Yuelong, Xu Si Chang Bingyu, Lei Peifan and Chen Zifan. The first three are (reasonably) safe, but Chen and Lei need to win.
Alan McManus announced his retirement from professional snooker following a 6-3 defeat to Bai Langning at Betfred World Championship qualifying.
The Scot has enjoyed an illustrious career, spanning 31 years, since he turned professional in 1990. The highlight came at the 1994 Masters, when McManus ended Stephen Hendry’s five-year title winning streak at the London event by defeating him 9-8 in a thrilling final.
McManus won two ranking titles during his career, at the 1994 Dubai Classic and the 1996 Thailand Open. The Glaswegian reached a further five ranking finals on top of those wins.
McManus, who has become a highly respected TV pundit and commentator in recent years, has struggled to produce his best form this season, which has seen the tour head behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. He’s notched up just 11 match wins and has failed to go beyond the last 64 of any ranking event.
This afternoon’s encounter saw McManus start brightly, crafting breaks of 61 and 66 on his way to establishing an early 2-1 lead. Bai restored parity to head into the mid-session all-square, before McManus once again edged ahead to lead 3-2.
From there China’s Bai took control of proceedings. Four frames on the bounce, including breaks of 102 and 54, saw him storm to the 6-3 victory. The win kept Bai’s hopes of tour survival alive and ended an era for McManus. Afterwards he admitted that the opportunity to explore his broadcasting career further played a role in his decision.
“I made the decision before Christmas for a number of reasons,” said 50-year-old McManus. “This year has been pretty tough and I’m working on TV at tournaments as well. I’ve not been able to play and practise. If this continues then there is no point in me playing. I’m pretty happy with the decision.
“I really love the television work. It is a privileged position to have and it has just been really difficult doing both. I’ve always thought 50 was a good number. It is a young guy’s game and you have to face up to that. I don’t have a problem with that though, it is all fine and well.
“For me it isn’t so much a results game. For me it is the experience and that is what I take from it. Results and beating someone isn’t my thing. I had getting to the semi-finals of the World Championship five years ago and that was pretty cool.
“I’m happy and I’m settled. I’m really content to not play. What I will miss is being 4-4 and deciders. Those are the times that you really find out who you are. That is why when I watch, I don’t look at the table, I look at the guy. Who he is, who he is going to be and who he is going to become in that moment.”
Alan may have made the decision months ago, he still looked absolutely gutted when missing shots and facing retirement yesterday. The competitive animal inside never goes.
Noppon Saengkham has tested positive for Covid-19 and has been withdrawn from Betfred World Championship qualifying.
Saengkham, who returned the positive test off-site, was due to play either Lyu Haotian or Gao Yang in round three. The winner of that tie will now receive a bye to the final qualifying round.
All on site tests conducted on players and staff so far have returned negative results.
Saengkham will now undergo a period of self-isolation and will receive the support of WST and the WPBSA.
Former Crucible quarter-finalist Jamie Jones said he could have “played all day” after summoning a late charge to come from 4-2 down to beat David Lilley 6-4 at Betfred World Championship qualifying.
Jones has enjoyed a strong season, having regained his professional status through Q School in 2020. The Welshman dropped off the tour at the end of the 2019 season whilst suspended. However, his return to the circuit has seen him produce some good snooker, including a run to the semi-finals of the 2020 European Masters.
Away from the table over the last year, Jones has been hitting the roads and regularly running. He showed his stamina for the fight today, turning on the style in the second half of the match.
Having trailed 4-2, back to back century runs of 117 and 100 helped him to turn the game on its head and establish a 5-4 lead. Jones then got himself over the line by claiming a tightly contested tenth frame.
Defeat for Lilley sees him drop off the circuit. Jones now faces former Shoot Out champion Michael Holt in round three.
“I could have played all day out there. As much pressure as there was and as tiring as it is trying to concentrate for that amount of time, I could have gone on for hours,” said 33-year-old Jones.
“I’ve been running up here in Sheffield. I’m either practising or stuck in the hotel, so I’ve got out running. I’m just enjoying my lifestyle at the moment. My life is different to how it was when I was on the tour before.
“That was probably one of my most pleasing wins of the season. At 4-2 down he was so solid, potting balls and good safety. It sums up my attitude since coming back on tour. I’m enjoying the battle out there.”
Former European Masters winner Jimmy Robertson sealed a massive 6-5 win over Zhao Jianbo to boost his hopes of tour survival.
Robertson would have been set to drop off the circuit had he lost this evening. He trailed 3-0, before producing gutsy snooker to turn the tie around.
Despite Zhao composing three centuries throughout the match, a break of 57 from Robertson in the decider was enough to eventually see him through. He faces Lu Ning up next, knowing that he is in a great position to stay on the circuit.
Robertson said: “I was absolutely devastated throughout the game. It was really tough and I felt sick during the whole match. To come through that and hold myself together in the end, I am so pleased. I never thought I would be in this position. It is my own fault.
“I’ve lost too many matches and first rounds this season. I got in a slump and a losing run, it has been very hard to get out of it. I’m in a good position now and I’m still in the tournament. That is all that matters.”
China’s Lyu Haotian became the first player to earn a Judgement Day spot with a 6-5 defeat of compatriot Gao Yang.
Lyu gets a bye through round three due to his scheduled opponent Noppon Saengkham returning a positive test for Covid-19.
Rod Lawler defeated Yuan Sijun 6-5 on the final black to keep his chances of tour survival alive. Defeat for Yuan sees him knocked off the circuit.
Jamie Clarke summoned an epic comeback from 5-0 down to defeat Jamie O’Neill 6-5.
Last year’s Crucible qualifying saw Clarke dramatically clinch a place at the Theatre of Dreams to retain his professional status. This evening’s herculean fightback saw the Welshman produce yet more drama. Clarke top scored with a break of 98 and will face Joe Perry next.
Jak Jones battled back from 4-1 down to beat 17-year-old prospect Jamie Wilson 6-4. Jones fired in breaks of 130, 63 and 70 on his way to overhauling Wilson. Next up he will face last year’s Crucible quarter-finalist Kurt Maflin.
We have seen a lot of good things from many young players so far.
All young Chinese players involved in round 1 won their first match, as did Julien Leclercd from Belgium, Kaçper Filipiak from Poland, Lukas Kleckers and Simon Lichtenberg both from Germany and Florian Nuessle from Austria. Brian Ochoiski from France, Ben Mertens From Belgium and Robbie McGuigan from Northern Ireland pushed their professional opponents to a deciding frame. Brian was 4-0 down to Rory McLeod.
Xu Si, Lyu Haotian and Chang Bingyu entered the frey in round 2 and won their first match as well. Chang Bingyu and Xu Si are now well placed in the “one year redeem list”, being numbers 1 and 2.
Yuan Sijun yesterday became the first young Chinese player to fall at first hurdle and be relegated.. He lost the match on the last black in the deciding frame. It’s a pity really. He has lost his way since the covid crisis disrupted our lives.
Despite the defeat, Zhao Jianbo was impressive yesterday, especially at the start of the match. He had three centuries… he had only made two before during the season.
Gao Yang, only 16, showed quality as well despite a narrow defeat. He pushed Lyu Haotian to a decider. Lyu’s win and Noppon Seangkham withdrawal mean that Lyu’s tour card is now safe as he climbs to number 52 in the provisional rankings, with an over 20000 points cushion separating him from the current number 65.
Jamie Wilson had not won a match this season, his first as a pro, until the WST Pro Series. He won two in that tournament, and has reached the second round in every tournament he has played in since. He pushed Jak Jones hard yesterday. The WST Pro Series may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but its round-robin format is definitely providing valuable experience to the youngest players.
There is a very important match for Luo Honghao today. Winning would give him a decent chance to stay on the tour, a defeat would mean relegation.
The March of the Living is “a 5 day educational journey in Poland culminating with the unforgettable March of the Living International event that brings people from all over the world on Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, to march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest WWII concentration camp complex.”
The “March of the living” is an International organisation. The link above is that of the UK branch because they are the ones behind this particular event.
This year the actual march could not happen because of the covid crisis. Instead this happened:
Ronnie O’Sullivan, Matt Lucas and Robert Peston hear Shoah survivor testimony
For Yom HaShoah, March of the Living pairs prominent figures from entertainment, the media and sport with Holocaust survivors in a series of one-to-one interviews
Jewish comedian, actor and writer Matt Lucas is among the celebrities who have heard the moving experiences of Holocaust survivors to mark Yom HaShoah.
Lucas, alongside fellow celebs Ronnie O’Sullivan, broadcaster Robert Peston, Baroness Karren Brady and Love Island’s Eyal Booker, were paired up with Holocaust survivors in a series of one-to-one interviews.
The Meet the Survivors videos have been released today as a virtual March of the Living, which in pre-pandemic times would see more than 10,000 people ‘march’ the 3km from the gates of the Auschwitz concentration camp to the gas chambers at Birkenau as a tribute to all those murdered by the Nazis.
Lucas met 93-year-old survivor Harry Olmer. “It’s so important to remember the Holocaust as Harry himself has said repeatedly,” said the actor.
Ronnie O’Sullivan with Eve Kugler
“I’ve really seen an extraordinary glimpse into the power of the human spirit. He’s a survivor. If we forget these stories, and what happened and why, we’re at risk of it repeating itself.”
Robert Peston, ITV’s political editor, met Lily Ebert, a 97-year-old survivor. “There’s too many people that walk around naively thinking that was the past,” he said.
Robert Peston, ITV’s political editor, met Lily Ebert, a 97-year-old survivor.
“But unless we realise that this is something that happened to people alive today.”
Scott Saunders, the founder of March of the Living UK, said: “The Holocaust survivors are living embodiments of what it means to show resilience in the face of hatred and adversity.
Eyal Booker with Mala Tribich
“The incredibly powerful Meet the Survivors series of films with Matt, Ronnie, Robert, Karren and Eyal will help to educate people about the atrocities of the Holocaust and with that knowledge hopefully make sure that something like that will never happen again.”
This is very important to me for personal reasons. Thank you from the heart to all the celebrities who took part. We should not allow this to be forgotten, so that it never happens again. Unfortunately it’s happening over and over, it’s happening now … in China, in Myanmar, in the Middle East and in many other places.
Ronnie O’Sullivan explains heavy final defeats this season: ‘I’m not prepared to try my nuts off to get beat 10-8’
Phil Haigh – Thursday 8 Apr 2021
Ronnie O’Sullivan feels there is nothing he could have done about recent defeats (Picture: Getty Images)
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s string of five defeats in ranking event finals has been one of the unusual quirks of an already very unusual season, but the Rocket believes there is little he could have done to change that losing run, even if he had ‘tried his nuts off’ in every match.
Since winning his sixth World Championship title in August, O’Sullivan has made it to five more ranking finals, but has been beaten in all of them, losing out at the Northern Ireland Open, Scottish Open, Welsh Open, Players Championship and Tour Championship.
The Rocket narrowly lost 9-8 to Jordan Brown in Wales and 9-7 to Judd Trump at the Northern Ireland Open, but was heavily beaten in the other three, thrashed by Mark Selby, John Higgins and Neil Robertson.
The 45-year-old admits that he has simply not played well enough against other men playing exceptionally well, it is as straightforward as that.
However, he does concede that in the three heavy defeats he may not have been exerting himself fully throughout, believing early on that those matches were out of his reach thanks to the deities of the baize.
‘I think two finals I played alright – the ones against Judd and against Jordan Brown – the other three I didn’t show up really,’ O’Sullivan told Metro.co.uk at the launch of his new partnership with ROKIT.
‘I just wasn’t playing well enough to beat that type of opposition who were playing very well.
‘I probably could have made them three matches a bit closer if I’d dug in a bit more but if it’s not there, it’s not there, I’m not going to kill myself.
‘I got beat 10-4, okay, I’d have got beat 10-7 or 10-8 if I’d really tried my nuts off. I’m not prepared to try my nuts off to get beat 10-8. I’d rather try, but if it ain’t there then it wasn’t meant to be.
‘The snooker gods sometimes already know the destiny of what’s going to happen, I’d rather just allow that to develop. If I find a bit of form, great, if I don’t then an early exit is fine. Especially when there’s another tournament in a couple of days.’
The Rocket does not feel like he was anywhere near his best throughout the Scottish Open, Players and Tour Championships, despite making it to the finals of all three, believing it has just been down to competing so regularly this season that he has been able to keep picking up results.
‘You get a good idea whether it’s going to be a good week or not, some weeks start off great and peter out a bit,’ he said. ‘Some don’t start off great but get stronger but I knew in Wales I was playing well, in Ireland I was playing well.
‘There was probably three or four tournaments this year I was playing well. The rest of them not so great. Still, because I was playing week-in-week-out I still managed to get to five finals just because I was busy, or as busy as all the other guys, which is rare.’
Jordan Brown stunned O’Sullivan to win the Welsh Open final (Picture: Zheng Zhai)
Five ranking finals in a season would be a phenomenal return for most players, but with 37 ranking titles to his name, does O’Sullivan regard this as a good season or not?
He says so, in fact it far exceeds the benchmark he feels he has to reach and suggests other players should meet too.
‘It’s alright,’ Ronnie said of his campaign. ‘I’ve always said, if you want to be on the main tour you’ve got to be looking at a minimum of three quarter-finals in a year.
‘If you can make three quarter-finals in a year you can justifiably say you’re a professional snooker player. If you can’t…
‘That doesn’t have to be three quarters, it could be a semi and a last 16 in there, or a final, whatever. As long as you’re averaging that sort of performance then you can justifiably say you deserve to be a professional.
‘If you’re not then you have to ask yourself what you’re doing. Are you there just because you like the lifestyle, like playing snooker, what is it?
‘For me, there’s a certain level I feel like I have to achieve to make it right with myself that I’m playing. Five finals has been great and I know that I was far from my best in the majority of them tournaments so it gives you hope that there’s still a few more titles in there at some point.’
O’Sullivan remains one of the favourites to win the World Championship this year (Picture: PA)
That point could be the World Championship, where O’Sullivan will look to defend his title at the Crucible, starting on 17 April.
He knows that with no titles so far this season his form has not been good enough to win the big one again, but that does not mean the snooker gods won’t begin to smile on him again by the time he reaches South Yorkshire.
‘I’ll have to play better than I have done all season because Sheffield is a different tournament,’ he said. ‘Longer matches, often it’s not about being brilliant it’s about being steady and solid.
‘If I can find something in these next couple of weeks and carry that through to Sheffield then who knows? If I don’t then I’m not going to detract from having a good year, I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been good fun.’
The draw for the World Championship will be made on Thursday 15 April after qualifying is completed the day before.
O’Sullivan will begin his campaign at the Crucible on the opening day of the tournament, Saturday 17 April.
Overall a positive interview. I totally expect Ronnie to try his hardest in Sheffield this year but the days he sank into despair and depression over a poor performance seem to to over and it’s very well that way.
The restraining order was lifted a few weeks ago so today I got a chance to catch up with snooker’s main man and current World Champion Ronnie, ahead of his title defence beginning. Amongst other things we talked about Liverpool and an urban myth, what it’s like to be a famous face, his thoughts ahead of Sheffield, his recent cue issues and who he’d invite to his ultimate dinner party…..
SB: Alright Ronnie, how’s tricks?
ROS: I’m fine mate, all good.
SB: Did you manage to catch the Hendry match against Jimmy last night?
ROS: I watched a little bit of it, I didn’t see it all as I was busy doing some bits and pieces.
SB: What do you think of the result? Do you think it will hurt Jimmy a bit?
ROS: Yeah, he just really still cares so much and wants to do well so he’ll definitely be hurt by that, but that’s just the way it goes isn’t it?
SB: What do you think about the whole Hendry thing? I suppose he retired in his early 40’s, a bit younger than you are now, can you ever see yourself retiring and then coming back for another try?
ROS: What, have 9 years off?
SB: Well maybe not that long.
ROS: No, I can’t see myself doing that, I’d hope after a couple of years out I’d have found something else to do so when I pack in it will be for good, but it’s his call and if he wants to do it then fair play to him.
SB: As you know I’m from the great city of Liverpool, now you’ve got a bit of an affinity with Liverpool haven’t you? How did that come about?
ROS: I just had a group of friends from Liverpool and I used to go up there and go out and I liked it so much I stayed there for a couple of years. I’ve got strong ties to Liverpool, it’s like a second home to me really. I used to play at George Scott’s Club on Derby Lane and George and Violet were so kind to me, amazing people who treated me like family, I had great times there, probably the happiest times of my life looking back.
SB: I played a frame with you there once, but I don’t really want to talk about that….
ROS: OK, I can’t remember that but I’m sure it was close.
SB: Yes, I’m happy with that. It was definitely close. Anyway, can you clear something up? This is either something I have made up, something someone else made up and became an urban myth or it’s true. When you lived here, did you stay above The Rocket pub?
ROS: Stay above it? No no, I think you must have made that up. I know where you mean, I stayed around there, around the corner but I didn’t stay above it.
SB: Well everyone here thinks it’s true anyway so that’s an exclusive.
ROS: Haha, well OK then it must be.
SB: Moving on to snooker. Sometimes when I speak to and hear snooker players talking I get the impression that they’d rather be something else, like a golfer or something, so what is it like being a snooker player? Do you enjoy it?
ROS: I enjoy the benefits of snooker, I get to travel, I get to stay in nice hotels, I get to see different friends on different weeks. The playing side of it, not so much, I like practice and I like exhibitions but I think sometimes tournaments get a bit too serious for me and I sometimes just want to have a bit of fun, I try to expose myself as little or as much as I feel like I need to in matches, but I suppose that’s the bit you have to put up with to enjoy the good side.
SB: Do you like being famous?
ROS: I’d rather not be famous, if you’d have asked me when I was 16 if I wanted to be famous I’d have said yes, but now at 45 I’d rather not be noticed when I go out and when that happens it’s quite a nice feeling.
SB: It’s quite ironic that you are one of the players that has adapted best to the crowdless situation given you are snooker’s biggest attraction. You seem to have found it quite easy to adapt to the silent surroundings, how have you done that?
ROS: I just think that the game doesn’t change, it’s like club practice conditions, like the football, it’s like a practice match. I know a couple have struggled a bit but it’s invariably the same people winning the tournaments as most other years.
SB: On the flip side we have Jordan Brown? Do you think he would have performed so well with a crowd?
ROS: I think Jordan would have won a tournament at some point as he’s always been a great player, it just all fell into place for him on that week, that can sometimes just happen. I don’t think you can say anyone won because of this or that, they won because they were the best player over that week of snooker.
SB: How do you feel about The Crucible being used as a COVID test event? Potentially 1000 people a day in there?
ROS: I don’t really care to be honest, I’m looking forward to the chance to run and explore different routes, see my friends there and a bit of al fresco dining coming into play, I’m looking forward to it actually, hope the weather is nice. If it’s anything like last year it should be a great time in Sheffield.
SB: How’s the cue?
ROS: Yeah, I’ve had some repair work done to it, John (Parris) and Paul have done a great job getting the cue back to virtually 95% of what it was so I’m happy with that, I also managed to find a good spare cue which is what I really wanted so that if something goes wrong with mine I can always use that as a substitute.
SB: Had you damaged it in some way? What was the problem?
ROS: Nah, it’s just that every ten years you need a good service on it, chop a bit off, add a bit on, change the balance, just a proper piece of work like an Formula One car where they feel the balance isn’t right. I was worried I’d not get it back to anywhere like how it was, but even at it’s worst it was playable, but with the improvements made to it now I’ve had a result really.
SB: OK, a couple of Twitter questions now, firstly from Alex, he wants to know what you would say to your 20 year old self if you had the chance to meet, errmm, you.
ROS: I’d tell him to educate himself, become wise and wordly, look outside the box and use any little advantage you can.
SB: Do you think you’d have listened?
ROS: Probably not!
SB: Last one, someone else asked for your ultimate four dinner party guests?
ROS: Ermm, Stephen Fry, Damien Hirst, Steve Peters and errmm Barry Hawkins.
SB: I had a tenner on Ali Carter. Oh well, Barry will be pleased anyway. Thanks for the chat Ronnie and best of luck in Sheffield.
ROS: No worries, take care and say hi to everyone in Liverpool.
Alan McManus announced his retirement from professional snooker following a 6-3 defeat to Bai Langning at Betfred World Championship qualifying.
The restraining order was lifted a few weeks ago so today I got a chance to catch up with snooker’s main man and current World Champion Ronnie, ahead of his title defence beginning. Amongst other things we talked about Liverpool and an urban myth, what it’s like to be a famous face, his thoughts ahead of Sheffield, his recent cue issues and who he’d invite to his ultimate dinner party…..
Ronnie O'Sullivan 