Reanne Evans pulled off an amazing victory over John Higgins in snooker’s battle of the sexes at the Six Reds World Championship, in association with 888sport.com, in Killarney tonight.
Evans, the reigning women’s world champion, made a superb 51 break to secure the decider and complete a dramatic 4-3 defeat of the current Crucible king.
A tired Higgins had lost a gripping UK Championship final to Ding Junhui just 48 hours earlier and failed to find his top form.
But Evans played well from the start and came close to winning 4-2 before Higgins scrambled the sixth frame on the pink.
He was in first in the decider but, with standing room only for a sizeable crowd at the INEC arena, broke down on just three and Evans killed off frame and match in a single visit.
“John wasn’t firing on all cylinders after the week he’s just had but you have to take advantage,” said West Midlander Evans.
“This is one of my best ever wins. John is world champion, provisional world no.1 and will always be remembered as one of snooker’s greatest players.
“I was pleased with how I finished it off. There were a lot of people watching but that helped me to play well rather than put me under pressure.”
Higgins won his opening match, 4-1 against James Corbett, and is still likely to qualify for the knockout phase.
Evans is almost certain to be through having already beaten Aaron Doran 4-1 before her clash with Higgins.
In another surprise result, 2008 Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden was beaten 4-3 by Irishman Declan Brennan.
Six reds snooker is played using the same rules as the established game but with nine fewer reds. It has been described as snooker’s version of Twenty/20 cricket.
The tournament runs until Friday. Entry is free for the first two days with tickets costing €10 on the final two days.
The 130 players from as far afield as Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates have been split into 23 groups for the round robin stage, played over the first two days, with the knockout phase getting underway on Thursday.
The last two days are being broadcast live on Eurosport and the winner will pocket a cheque for €10,000.
Results and group draws available at: www.6redworldchampionships.com
14 comments:
In fairness, I think this result says it all about this 6 Reds nonsense.
Well done Reanne, she beat Ding at 15 reds and John at 6 reds. Can't wait to see how she gets on at ONEFOURSEVEN next week.
Hello All,
Looking at the results so far I cant see too many shocks so far. The pro's coming out on top in most matches.
Dave ,Does everyone play today? I didnt see Drago's name in results yet and a few more Irish players.
Pity the timing of the event,expensive time of year/taking time off work for me.
Still, looking forward to catching the highlights on eurosport.
Milkins scored a 76 (7 red clearance). Good chance of staying on top.
Dave - how are the tables, any comments ? cloths, pockets sizes?
Dave,
I heard some rumors of interesting matches like this one and Holt vs Higgins being broadcast via internet later? Any news on this?
what a terrible comment from the first poster.
Im guessing your either one of the anti-Hearn brigade (though this event has nothing to do with him) or you refuse to accept that snooker needs to adapt and pursue new ideas to maintain and increase popularity.
6 reds is shorter and its true that the field is evened up slightly because of this, but credit where its due to Reanne for this great achievment.
Who knows, perhaps Hearn is watching with interest and could be tempted to offer Reanne a main tour wildcard for next season to try and add a bit of spice to the tour similar to Anastacia joining the PDC main tour in darts.
Also well done to Igor Figuerido for his 2 resounding wins today, very unlucky in the amatuer final last year but id be happy to see this Brazilian get a tour wildcard to boost international interest in snooker, if he fails to make it by merit through the PIOS route.
Hard luck so far Hurricane Higgins, hopefully he lays off the guiness and whisky tonight and shows some of his old magic tomorrow and restores a bit of pride.
John Higgins must have been wearier than a miner at the end of a 16 hour stint down the pit after his efforts last week in Telford.
Having said that snooker is not, and never will equate to excavating coal from deep mines.
Hi Dave,
Did Mark Allen have other commitment's then, or was he in the audience watching this shock result?
Thanks, Joe
PS. Are you on Eurosport duties this week, as you are on site for in another capacity?
It's the equivalent of someone beating a pro down the local club - it's meaningless.
A huge achievement from Reanne! Congratulations!
I really hope this will raise the interest in ladies snooker, which have been suppressed far too long now.
Congratulations also to Michael White who, according to global snooker, scored a new the speed record for a 75 maximum: 2 minutes and 28 seconds.
a 76 break is Guiness Book Of Records material.
Congratulations to Milkins- Gloucester's finest.
It shows that this version is a leveller as with all respect to Reanne, she would never beat John Higgins in a 15 red contest.
Dave, I brought Snooker Scene today. Is the postal form for the World Championship tickets meant to be inside it as I have not got one?
I think it's in next month's issue
Jamie the form is here...
http://www.worldsnooker.com/site_files/world%20booking.pdf
Not a thank-you from Jamie i see for the help with the form... tut tut.
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