Month: November 2024

Mark Williams joins Xiao Guodong in the 2024 Champion of Champions final

Monique Snooker

Mark Williams, who will turn 50 in the spring, dominated Neil Robertson in the second semi-final of the 2024 Champion of Champions. He will face Xiao Guodong in the final today.

Here is the report by WST:

Evergreen Williams Sets Up Xiao Final

Mark Williams scored his first win over Neil Robertson in seven years as a tremendous 6-2 victory put him into the final of the Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions. 

Williams goes through to play Xiao Guodong in Sunday’s final in Bolton, with the winner to collect the trophy and £150,000 top prize. There is sure to be a new name on the trophy as Xiao is making his debut in the event this year and Williams had never previously been beyond the last 16 in three previous attempts.

The Welshman is one win away from his second title of 2024, having landed the Tour Championship crown in April. Just five months short of his 50th birthday, the world number six still thrives on the big occasion. He narrowly missed out on the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters title in September, losing the final 10-9 to Judd Trump, and now has the chance to make amends. 

Williams had lost his previous seven meetings with Robertson, a sequence stretching back to 2017, but dominated from the start tonight. Breaks of 50 and 66 helped the three-time Crucible king take a 2-0 lead, then in frame three, he trailed 52-31 when Robertson trapped him in a tough snooker on the last red. On the second hit-and-hope attempt, Williams enjoyed an outrageous fluke, sending the red scuttling into a centre pocket, and he took advantage by clearing the table for 3-0.

A run of 70 made it 4-0, and though Robertson pulled one back after the interval with a 78, he had to sit his chair as Williams compiled a superb 132 for 5-1. Australia’s Robertson added some respectability to the scoreline with a run of 68 to take frame seven, but there would be no fight-back as Williams settled the result with a 61 in the eighth.

“I’m really pleased, I am hitting the ball very well,” Williams told ITV. “My safety was good, I created chances and potted a couple of crazy balls. Perhaps I should give myself more credit because I am taking it to these youngsters and I’m in another big final. My all-round game is better than ever and that’s why I am still competing with the top players. I came here with no expectations so there is no pressure on me tomorrow.”

The final today should be a good match. Neither finalist has anything to prove. Xiao has won the Wuhan Open earlier this season, has reached the semi-finals in the International Championship last week and he is in the best form of his life. Willo has won everything in the game. He is three times a World Champion, twice a UK champion, twice a Masters champion… bring it on!

2024 Champion of Champions – Xiao Guodong is our first finalist

Monique Snooker

Xiao Guodong beat Mark Allen by 6-3 yesterday evening to book his place in the final of this season’s Champion of Champions. Here is the report shared by WST:

XIAO STUNS PISTOL TO MAKE FINAL

Xiao Guodong continued his dream season by defeating world number three Mark Allen 6-3 and reaching the final of the Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions in Bolton. 

Xiao, who first turned professional in 2007, clinched his place in this showpiece event by capturing a maiden ranking crown at the Wuhan Open. He followed that up by making the semi-finals of the recent International Championship and is now through to a second final of the campaign. 

The 35-year-old scored stunning wins over Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby yesterday to reach this evening’s semi-final, where he overhauled another one of snooker’s superstars. Allen earned his place in the last four with wins over Igor Figueiredo and Jak Jones. 

The opener this evening saw Xiao compile a run of 65 and steal on the black to earn an early 1-0 advantage. Allen equalised by taking the second, but contributions of 83 and 71 saw Xiao lead 3-1 at the mid-session. 

When play resumed, Allen hit back by taking the next two to restore parity at 3-3. However, Xiao responded by pulling away again to move 5-3 up and one from victory. The ninth frame came down to the colours, with Xiao eventually playing a sensational shot on the blue to develop the pink. That allowed him to deposit the final two balls and earn his place in the final. 

He can now look forward to facing either Mark Williams or Neil Robertson in Sunday’s title match, where a top prize of £150,000 will be on the line. 

Xiao said: “I still can’t believe I did it. When it went to 4-3 today, I saw a big change in him. I think he changed mentally after that. I just told myself to keep focussing on every shot. 

“I will just enjoy watching tomorrow’s game now. I don’t care if I play Mark or Neil. They are both legendary players. I will just enjoy it. That’s it.“

Williams and Robertson will do battle in the second semi-final from 7pm tomorrow evening.

I first met Xiao some 15 years ago. He barely spoke a word on English at the time but, despite the language barrier, he came across as a positive and outgoing character, someone who would look at the half-full glass instead of the half-empty one. Someone who, after losing in a deciding frame in the World Championship qualifiers in 2010 reacted by going out and get his hair dyed pink … his own way to try and lift his mood. He’s also very humble, maybe too humble. This week he’s proving everyone, including himself how good he is. I’m happy for him. Make no mistake, no matter who wins today, Xiao is capable to win this title on Sunday.

Mark King has been banned for 5 years…

Monique Disciplinary matter

Here is the announcement by WPBSA

WPBSA STATEMENT | MARK KING

The Independent Disciplinary Committee has delivered its decision on the case of the WPBSA and Mark King. He has been found guilty of one count of match fixing and one count of providing inside information on that match. He has been suspended from the sport for 5 years and to pay £68,299.50 in costs.

On 18th March 2023 Mark King was suspended by the WPBSA after suspicious betting was reported on his match with Joe Perry played on 13th February 2023. The WPBSA supported by bet monitoring partner Sportradar and the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit at the Gambling Commission conducted a thorough investigation.

After taking independent legal advice, the WPBSA decided that Mark King had a case to answer for fixing the outcome of the Perry match and his match against John Higgins played on 13thDecember 2022 and providing inside information on those matches that was used for betting. On 28th November 2023 his case was referred for a disciplinary hearing.

Mark King denied the charges and his case was heard before an Independent Disciplinary Committee convened by Sport Resolutions. The hearing was Chaired by Graeme McPherson KC and took place in London between 7th – 9th May 2024.

At that hearing the WPBSA was represented by Counsel, and Mr King was represented by Counsel and solicitors who acted pro bono for him.

The Independent Disciplinary Committee placed an embargo on publication of its liability decision in the case until it had received submissions on sanctions and delivered its final decision.

The Disciplinary Committee’s findings as set out in its liability decision and its decision on sanction are that in relation to the Joe Perry match only, Mark King acted in breach of Part 2 Rule 2.1.2.1 and Rule 2.2 of the WPBSA Regulations as alleged in charge 3:

Charge 3: ‘That between about 1 January 2023 and 14 February 2023 in breach of Part 2 rule 2.1.2.1 and rule 2.2 [of the WPBSA Regulations] you fixed or contrived, or were a party to an effort to fix or contrive the result or score of [the Perry match]’;

And

Acted in breach of Part 2 Rule 2.1.3.1 of the WPBSA Regulations as alleged in Charge 4:

  1. d) Charge 4: ‘That between about 1 January 2023 and 14 February 2023 in breach of Part 2 rule 2.1.3.1 [of the WPBSA Regulations] you provided information for [sic] to be used for betting purposes to another person or persons and that information included the fact that you would contrive the score and/or outcome of the [Perry match]’.

The two other charges relating to his match with John Higgins played on 13th December 2022 were dismissed.

The WPBSA highlights that it was not part of the WPBSA’s case that any other player than Mr King was involved in the match fixing, and Mr Perry and Mr Higgins were not accused of any misfeasance.

The Independent Disciplinary Committee’s decision on sanction and costs are:

  • From 18th March 2023 until 17th March 2028 (both dates inclusive), Mr King is precluded from participating in any way in activities or events recognised or organised by the WPBSA (including but not limited to playing coaching, officiating, management, organisation, administration and/or promotion, and
  • Mr King shall pay costs to the WPBSA in the sum of £68,299.50

Mark King has until 28th November 2024 to appeal the decisions of the Independent Disciplinary Committee.

The WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said “The global expansion of this sport brings with it great responsibility, both for our players, and for the WPBSA as the sport’s world governing body. I have known Mark King since he was very young, he is a very experienced player who has enjoyed great success, and I am deeply saddened to read the finding in this case. However, the integrity of this sport will always be our number one priority. This case is testament to the fact that no stone will ever be left unturned in ensuring that the hundreds of millions of snooker fans worldwide, and our many global partners, can have full confidence in this incredible sport.”

It’s never happy news when a player has been charged with match fixing. Given that Mark King is already 50 years old, a return to the main tour looks unlikely.

One has to wonder as what has pushed him to take such a risk although, to him own admission, Mark has been open about his (past) betting addiction … maybe he relapsed? Who knows?

Whatever the reasons behind this, and whatever our opinion on what happened, this is a very difficult time for the whole King family and I hope the pull through it together. I don’t condone match fixing one bit, but my personal view on the betting industry is that it’s a very dirty business that has ruined countless lives. During my working days, I lost two colleagues to it… they had spent everything they had and more in betting, they couldn’t find the courage to face the consequences and their families and they took their own lives.

2024 UK Championship and Shoot Out infos

Monique Snooker

WST has recently published the draw and format for the 2024 UK Championship

VICTORIAN PLUMBING UK CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW

Ronnie O’Sullivan gets the defence of his Victorian Plumbing UK Championship title underway on the opening day of the tournament on Saturday November 23rd at the York Barbican.

Click here for the match schedule and the draw

…

O’Sullivan won the title for a record-extending eighth time last year, beating Ding Junhui 10-7 in the final. His quest to make it nine crowns gets underway at 1pm on the first day. The matches for the top 16 seeds have been scheduled, and they will be drawn at random against the 16 players who come through the qualifying rounds.

Shaun Murphy also plays on the opening afternoon, with Ding and new top-16 member Xiao Guodong in action on the Saturday evening. Mark Allen, the 2022 champion, plays his opening match at 1pm on Sunday November 24th. World Champion Kyren Wilson enters the fray on the afternoon of Monday November 25th, while world number one Judd Trump gets underway the following day at 1pm. 

The qualifying event, featuring 128 players, runs from November 16th to 21st at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester….

Click here for the qualifying match schedule and draw

Players starting in the first qualifying round need to win four matches to make it to York, while those seeded higher need only three or two wins. Three-time UK Champion Neil Robertson, having dropped out of the world’s top 16, plays his first match on the evening of Tuesday November 19th. Star names in the same round include Crucible finalist Jak Jones, former UK Champion Stephen Maguire, former Crucible king Stuart Bingham, Jack Lisowski, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Barry Hawkins.

Ronnie would face Xiao Guodong in the second round (last 64) should they both win their opening match … 🙄

They have also published the information relevant to the 2024 Shoot Out

ALLEN, SELBY, MURPHY AND ROBERTSON HEAD SHOOT OUT FIELD

Mark Allen, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson are among the star names in the field for the Shoot Out in Leicester next month. 

Click here for the match schedule

…

The world ranking event runs from Wednesday December 4th to Saturday December 7th at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, and as always there is a unique format with all matches lasting a maximum of ten minutes. There’s a shot clock of 15 seconds for the first five minutes and just ten seconds for the last five, cranking up the pressure on the players as the time tickets down! The tournament always produces a sizzling atmosphere.

World number three Allen won the title for the first time last year and now aims to become the first player to win the Shoot Out twice. Robertson is in the field for the first time since the inaugural event in 2011, in a strong line-up which includes the likes of four-time World Champion Selby, former Crucible king Murphy, Gary Wilson, Si Jiahui, Stuart Bingham, Ali Carter, Jimmy White, Leicester’s local favourites Tom Ford, Joe O’Connor, Ben Woollaston and Louis Heathcote….and many more.

The first round draw for all 128 players is out now and intriguing matches include:

Wednesday December 4th
Mark Allen v Ross Muir
Gary Wilson v Reanne Evans
Anthony McGill v Sophie Nix
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh v Jimmy White
Jordan Brown v Si Jiahui

Thursday December 5th
Mark Selby v Baipat Siripaporn
Stan Moody v Riley Powell
Barry Hawkins v Shaun Murphy
He Guoqiang v Stuart Bingham
Iulian Boiko v Jack Lisowski
Ali Carter v Chris Wakelin
Neil Robertson v Simon Blackwell

The last 64 takes place on Friday December 6th, with 32 players to head into the final day on Saturday December 7th and the champion to be crowned that night. The event, which features a random draw for each round, is televised by Eurosport, discovery+ and many other broadcasters worldwide.

Don’t miss out!

Xiao Guodong shines on Day 4 in Bolton

Monique Professional snooker, Professional snooker tournament

Xiao Guodong was the “surprise package” yesterday in Bolton as he defeated Ronnie and Mark Selby to win his group. Here is the report by shared WST:

IN-FORM XIAO KNOCKS OUT O’SULLIVAN AND SELBY

Xiao Guodong enjoyed a timely fluke in the deciding frame as he beat Mark Selby 6-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions.

Enjoying the best season of his career, highlighted by the capture of his first ranking title at last month’s Wuhan Open, Xiao had another memorable day as he beat two of snooker’s all time greats. A 4-3 success against Ronnie O’Sullivan, from 3-0 behind, was followed by a 6-5 victory over Selby as Xiao earned a meeting defending champion Mark Allen in the semi-finals on Friday at 7pm. 

China’s 35-year-old Xiao is playing the best snooker of his life and will be determined to double his tally of trophies. A fierce battle with Selby came down to the last few balls and he came out on top, helped by a huge slice of luck.

Selby cruised into a 3-0 lead with breaks of 89, 63 and 120 before Xiao pulled one back with a 118. A run of 64 put Selby 4-1 ahead but he failed to score a point in the next three frames as Xiao rattled in breaks of 80 and 59 in closing to 4-4. Frame nine went Selby’s way as he regained the lead. The tenth came down to a safety battle on the colours, and Xiao knocked in excellent pots on green, brown and blue to level at 5-5.

Selby had first chance in the decider and made 39 before missing a red to centre, then Xiao replied with 58 and played safe. An exchange on the yellow ended when Xiao’s attempted safety came off three cushions and rolled into a baulk corner, and he took advantage with a thumping green before adding brown, blue and pink.

“I didn’t think I could win,” Xiao told ITV. “In the last frame I was a lucky boy and I feel sorry for Mark. There was pressure because the game was close, but I enjoyed it, I was relaxed. Winning in Wuhan has helped me a lot.

“To play snooker you have to be happy. In Wuhan my family was there, my wife and friends. Before that, I was playing for 20 years and practising hard but sometimes when I lost I was sad. I have changed my mindset now and I’m enjoying it.“

Earlier in the day, Xiao got the better of O’Sullivan, a four-time winner of this title. Breaks of 65, 95 and 125 put O’Sullivan 3-0 ahead before Xiao, who had not scored a point in the first three frames, stormed back with 130, 88 and 85 for 3-3 before edging the decider. Selby saw off Shaun Murphy 4-2 with runs of 96, 132, 76 and 72. 

Both matches were quite similar. In both cases the favourite ran to a 3-0 lead, and was playing well, scoring heavily. In both cases, Xiao came back at them with a vengeance. All credits to him.

Ronnie came back to the table in frame 6, despite being too far behind to have any hope of redeeming that frame. This clearly shows that he certainly didn’t give up on that match.

If the press is to be believed, Xiao apologised to both his opponents after the matches. No need for that. Yes, he had a bit of the run of the balls but that’s part of the sport. On your day they run for you, on another day they run against you…

The above report doesn’t mention the reaction of either Ronnie or Mark, but I found some quotes by Ronnie in the press. All things considered he was quite positive about it all.

O’Sullivan, meanwhile, was defiant after his surprise loss as he downplayed the possibility of calling time on his glittering career.

“I have been on a roll for 30 years,” he said. “It will end when I decide it ends. I’ve very rarely had an average season since turning pro.

“I might have had a couple of years with things going on off the table which meant I couldn’t really focus on snooker and went missing. I definitely had six years where I was partying a bit much.

“I might have won a few tournaments in that period, but when I’ve had my mind and focus right I usually do all right. I’ll keep playing and keep enjoying it. That’s the most important thing for me.”

Ronnie falls at first hurdle in the 2024 Champion of Champions

Monique Snooker

Ronnie was beaten by 4-3 from 3-0 up by Xiao Guodong this afternoon in Bolton.

This is Phil Haigh’s report on the match

Ronnie O’Sullivan stunned by ‘world class’ Xiao Guodong at Champion of Champions

Phil Haigh

Ronnie O’Sullivan has fallen at the first hurdle in Bolton (Picture: Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport)

Ronnie O’Sullivan is out of the Champion of Champions after a stunning comeback from Xiao Guodong saw the underdog bounce back from losing the first three frames to win 4-3.

The Rocket looked in fabulous form as he won the opening three frames in short order, with Xiao not scoring a single point as O’Sullivan scored 318.

However, the recent Wuhan Open champion was not fazed by the early brilliance of the seven-time world champ and found his own form in some style.

O’Sullivan had made breaks of 95 and 125 to go 3-0 up, before Xiao responded with efforts of 130, 88 and 85 to take the match to a decider, with the Rocket not scoring a point in those three.

The decider, as it so often is, was an edgier affair and became the only frame for both players to score points.

Both men had chances but Xiao got ahead early and even though he missed a good opportunity to get over the line he eventually battled through some nerves to do so.

While it got nervy at the end, Stephen Hendry on commentary described Xiao’s trio of breaks to force a decider as ‘world class’ and said: ‘I knew he was good, but I didn’t know he was this good.’

Xiao Guodong has been in excellent form of late (Picture: Taka Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport)

It is a big surprise from O’Sullivan being 3-0 ahead, but Xiao has been in the better form of the two players of late having won in Wuhan and followed it with a run to the semi-finals of the International Championship.

O’Sullivan has skipped a number of events so far this campaign and has not been beyond a semi-final yet this season.

However, form and fluency was not a problem for him against Xiao, it was just the brilliance of the Chinese star.

The world number 16 now goes on to play the winner of Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy in the group final later on Thursday.

Here are the scores of the match:

Credits to Xiao, he played really well. Still Ronnie losing from 3-0 up is worrying … but maybe, at nearly 49 it’s not really surprising. Nobody goes on forever… that said, actually, Ronnie didn’t play badly at all, it was Xiao who played exceptionally well from 3-0 down.

Here is the decider shared by Matchroom on Youtube

And Ronnie’s century in frame 3, his 46th in the (history of) tournament

New series of events organised by Jason Francis

Monique Snooker, Snooker exhibition ,

There were more rumours on social media in recent days regarding an alleged “split tour”. As so often, the reality is different, there is no intention by Jason Francis, or anyone else, to create a split tour. What there IS though is a series of high profile exhibition tournaments. Jason himself confirmed this to me: eight of the top players have agreed to play in these events.

This article by Phil Haigh explains what this is about:

Ronnie O’Sullivan the headline act in ‘exciting’ new snooker project

Phil Haigh

Ronnie O’Sullivan is the headline act for a planned new series of snooker events (Picture: Getty Images)

Eight players have agreed to play in a series of new snooker events, with Ronnie O’Sullivan leading a heavyweight line-up of world champions.

Four two-day events have been arranged for next year, labelled the Snooker 900 Grand Slam, which hope to feature the Rocket, current world champ Kyren Wilson, Mark Williams, John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Luca Brecel, Shaun Murphy and Reanne Evans

The players are believed to have agreed to the new venture, but the independent promoters are in talks with World Snooker Tour as professional players need permission to appear in non-sanctioned TV events.
By the terms of the renegotiated players’ contract, if non-sanctioned events are taking place when WST tournaments are not being played then there is no issue, but any clashes cause a problem.
Players have been given permission to play in two of the four events, but as two clash with WST tournaments then there remains a stumbling block and discussions continue.

It is understood that Channel 4 is the potential broadcaster for the series, which is planned to run into June and July, in what would be a major move into the sport for the station.
The first of the events – the brainchild of promoter Jason Francis – is planned for 12-13 April in London and Murphy hopes to be lining up for it.

Asked about rumours of the new events on his onefourseven podcast, the 2005 world champion said: ‘It is true. I’m delighted to be asked, but I don’t know very much about it. I know that Jason was planning to put on four two-day events. I had no idea until I saw the list on social media myself who else was asked to play in it.

‘Just happy to play and looking forward to these opportunities. As luck would have it, two of those dates do clash with potential events in the 25/26 calendar, so I think only two of them so far have been granted permission.

‘Excited about it. I think competition is good. I think players being allowed to play and ply their trade…I personally think that as a professional snooker player, as a self-employed tradesperson I should be able to play snooker wherever and whenever I want. That’s my own personal view. 

‘So I see this as a real positive step that these events are going to be put on and players are going to be able to ply their trade, put balls in pockets, put smiles on faces and entertain people who are wanting to watch us.’

The dates of 12-13 April 2025 would by during World Championship qualifying, and just the week before the main event begins at the Crucible.

Details on venues of the events and further details are to be confirmed.

World Snooker Tour and Channel 4 both declined to comment.

From what I heard, four events are currently scheduled. Two would happen at a times when no WST events are currently planned but the two others could clash with WST events albeit none where the top players involved would be supposed to participate. As Shaun said – not for the first time – players are self-employed and should be free to play in whatever they see fit, even more so when themselves are not involved in the “clashing” WST events.