The latest Snooker Scene podcast features top referee Jan Verhaas answering your rules queries.
It was cut short as Jan had to go off and referee so at the end you can hear my views on the players who have qualified for the Crucible.
You can listen to the podcast here.
19.3.09
18.3.09
ALEX HIGGINS AT 60
How did Alex Higgins ever make it to 60?
There must have been times in his turbulent life, in which controversy, aggro and unrest have been constant bedfellows, when reaching 50 or even 40 looked unlikely.
But Higgins, who celebrates his 60th birthday today, has always been a survivor.
What an extraordinary character. He’s one of those people about which everything that has been said is probably true, or not far off, even that that contradicts the other stuff.
Higgins’s life has been well documented, not least in his own recent autobiography, ‘From the Eye of the Hurricane.’
Nobody should doubt the remarkable reaction to his emergence in the early 1970s and the way it transformed the sport from a pastime which demanded very little television coverage to a major frontline TV sport that, for a while in the 1980s, beat every other sport, including football, in the ratings in Britain.
All good stories need heroes and villains. Higgins was the villain in snooker’s rise to prominence.
Blessed with incredible natural talent, he had – indeed still has – a self destructive personality.
He has done things I would never defend, both in the sport and out in the world.
I would doubt anyone could dispute the year’s ban he was given for a catalogue of disciplinary offences during the 1989/90 season, which included threatening to have Dennis Taylor shot and punching – without any provocation – the press officer at the World Championship.
This ban ultimately precipitated the end of his professional career.
Higgins deserves little sympathy for this but it is also true that he has been sinned against.
At the height of snooker’s popularity, he was public property and newspapers were keen to exploit his reputation as a bad boy, sometimes with stories that had little basis in fact.
Hangers on and those looking for trouble or easy headlines got their claws into him.
But many have also tried to help him and been rebuffed because, ultimately, Higgins is a one off and will go to the grave doing things his own way.
He’ll be remembered for all of this but also for his snooker, which was, at times, spellbinding.
His 69 clearance to level his 1982 World Championship semi-final with Jimmy White is widely regarded as the best break ever because of the circumstances and dramatic way it was compiled.
And Higgins’s emotional capture of the title a few days later, tearfully beckoning his wife and baby daughter on to the Crucible stage, is one of snooker’s most iconic moments.
And that’s why – despite everything – the sport is lucky to have had the Hurricane.
Because, like him or loathe him – and it’s possible to do both at the same time – Alex Higgins is the most exciting thing that’s ever been seen on a snooker table.
A force of nature unpredictable, uncontrollable and, it would seem, unstoppable.
There must have been times in his turbulent life, in which controversy, aggro and unrest have been constant bedfellows, when reaching 50 or even 40 looked unlikely.
But Higgins, who celebrates his 60th birthday today, has always been a survivor.
What an extraordinary character. He’s one of those people about which everything that has been said is probably true, or not far off, even that that contradicts the other stuff.
Higgins’s life has been well documented, not least in his own recent autobiography, ‘From the Eye of the Hurricane.’
Nobody should doubt the remarkable reaction to his emergence in the early 1970s and the way it transformed the sport from a pastime which demanded very little television coverage to a major frontline TV sport that, for a while in the 1980s, beat every other sport, including football, in the ratings in Britain.
All good stories need heroes and villains. Higgins was the villain in snooker’s rise to prominence.
Blessed with incredible natural talent, he had – indeed still has – a self destructive personality.
He has done things I would never defend, both in the sport and out in the world.
I would doubt anyone could dispute the year’s ban he was given for a catalogue of disciplinary offences during the 1989/90 season, which included threatening to have Dennis Taylor shot and punching – without any provocation – the press officer at the World Championship.
This ban ultimately precipitated the end of his professional career.
Higgins deserves little sympathy for this but it is also true that he has been sinned against.
At the height of snooker’s popularity, he was public property and newspapers were keen to exploit his reputation as a bad boy, sometimes with stories that had little basis in fact.
Hangers on and those looking for trouble or easy headlines got their claws into him.
But many have also tried to help him and been rebuffed because, ultimately, Higgins is a one off and will go to the grave doing things his own way.
He’ll be remembered for all of this but also for his snooker, which was, at times, spellbinding.
His 69 clearance to level his 1982 World Championship semi-final with Jimmy White is widely regarded as the best break ever because of the circumstances and dramatic way it was compiled.
And Higgins’s emotional capture of the title a few days later, tearfully beckoning his wife and baby daughter on to the Crucible stage, is one of snooker’s most iconic moments.
And that’s why – despite everything – the sport is lucky to have had the Hurricane.
Because, like him or loathe him – and it’s possible to do both at the same time – Alex Higgins is the most exciting thing that’s ever been seen on a snooker table.
A force of nature unpredictable, uncontrollable and, it would seem, unstoppable.
17.3.09
WHEN IRISH EYES AREN'T SMILING
Today is St. Patrick’s Day so best wishes to snooker’s Irish contingent.
That said, they may be drowning their sorrows rather than celebrating today. For the first time since 1990, there will not be a Republic of Ireland player competing at the Crucible this year.
Fergal O’Brien, Michael Judge and, of course, Ken Doherty all failed to qualify.
Davey Morris, Vinnie Muldoon and Joe Delaney were all beaten in the qualifiers as well.
The World Championship will feature three players – Mark Allen, Joe Swail and Gerard Greene – from Northern Ireland.
I find Doherty’s sudden decline shocking. Two years ago he went to Sheffield with a chance to become world no.1. He will start next season something like 43rd.
Nobody goes on forever but this rapid plunge down the rankings is surely the fastest any snooker great has fallen.
Ken could retire tomorrow and still be satisfied with his career. He was but a callow youth when he made the trip over to the UK to live and practise in Ilford.
He remains the only player to have won the world title at professional, amateur and junior levels.
But at 39, he rightly believes he still has several years ahead of him.
I hope he does but he himself has said he will retire if he can’t rediscover his form.
That said, they may be drowning their sorrows rather than celebrating today. For the first time since 1990, there will not be a Republic of Ireland player competing at the Crucible this year.
Fergal O’Brien, Michael Judge and, of course, Ken Doherty all failed to qualify.
Davey Morris, Vinnie Muldoon and Joe Delaney were all beaten in the qualifiers as well.
The World Championship will feature three players – Mark Allen, Joe Swail and Gerard Greene – from Northern Ireland.
I find Doherty’s sudden decline shocking. Two years ago he went to Sheffield with a chance to become world no.1. He will start next season something like 43rd.
Nobody goes on forever but this rapid plunge down the rankings is surely the fastest any snooker great has fallen.
Ken could retire tomorrow and still be satisfied with his career. He was but a callow youth when he made the trip over to the UK to live and practise in Ilford.
He remains the only player to have won the world title at professional, amateur and junior levels.
But at 39, he rightly believes he still has several years ahead of him.
I hope he does but he himself has said he will retire if he can’t rediscover his form.
16.3.09
THOUGHTS ON THE SHOT CLOCK
I’ve always been opposed to a shot clock in snooker because it would create a false kind of the game.
I would defend its use in the Premier League because it is a non ranking invitation event and distinguishes it from all the other tournaments. It creates a unique 'brand' for the League and that is fair enough.
However, players play at their own pace. Some are fast, some are not so fast and some are slow.
A true test of a player is how they cope against all styles – including the grinders.
A shot clock doesn’t take into account the different forms of snooker. Many people enjoy watching bouts of safety play because they demand high skill levels.
If every frame was long red followed by century it would soon become boring.
Also, when players rush they tend to make more mistakes. There is a rule on time wasting at the referee’s discretion if he thinks a player is deliberately dragging a match out.
And would the conclusion of the Dennis Taylor-Steve Davis world final in 1985 have been more exciting if they were running round the table?
A permanent shot clock of 25 seconds would rid the sport of its many nuances. It would be, to use the modern phrase, 'dumbing down.'
Yes, the Premier League usually has full houses but it did before the shot clock was introduced.
Sky's viewing figures for it aren't much different to when they used to show ranking events.
So they are the arguments against, but my position has softened a little through commentating on the Agipi Masters, a 3 cushion billiards event.
In this, the shot clock is 40 seconds rather than 25 as in the Premier League.
It does make for a satisfying pace of play but players tend not to have to rush. They can take two time-outs per match.
Very few shots in snooker require longer than 40 seconds of thought. If a player is snookered, it seems logical not to impose a time limit but a clock would cut out some of the needless time wasting we have seen in recent years (no names mentioned but if you watch snooker regularly you can probably remember particular matches where this has been the case).
A 40 second shot clock would encourage positive play and without meaning that safety is a thing of the past.
Overall, I’m still against a shot clock of any length being introduced for all tournaments.
But I’m not quite as against it as I was this time last week.
Your thoughts, please…
I would defend its use in the Premier League because it is a non ranking invitation event and distinguishes it from all the other tournaments. It creates a unique 'brand' for the League and that is fair enough.
However, players play at their own pace. Some are fast, some are not so fast and some are slow.
A true test of a player is how they cope against all styles – including the grinders.
A shot clock doesn’t take into account the different forms of snooker. Many people enjoy watching bouts of safety play because they demand high skill levels.
If every frame was long red followed by century it would soon become boring.
Also, when players rush they tend to make more mistakes. There is a rule on time wasting at the referee’s discretion if he thinks a player is deliberately dragging a match out.
And would the conclusion of the Dennis Taylor-Steve Davis world final in 1985 have been more exciting if they were running round the table?
A permanent shot clock of 25 seconds would rid the sport of its many nuances. It would be, to use the modern phrase, 'dumbing down.'
Yes, the Premier League usually has full houses but it did before the shot clock was introduced.
Sky's viewing figures for it aren't much different to when they used to show ranking events.
So they are the arguments against, but my position has softened a little through commentating on the Agipi Masters, a 3 cushion billiards event.
In this, the shot clock is 40 seconds rather than 25 as in the Premier League.
It does make for a satisfying pace of play but players tend not to have to rush. They can take two time-outs per match.
Very few shots in snooker require longer than 40 seconds of thought. If a player is snookered, it seems logical not to impose a time limit but a clock would cut out some of the needless time wasting we have seen in recent years (no names mentioned but if you watch snooker regularly you can probably remember particular matches where this has been the case).
A 40 second shot clock would encourage positive play and without meaning that safety is a thing of the past.
Overall, I’m still against a shot clock of any length being introduced for all tournaments.
But I’m not quite as against it as I was this time last week.
Your thoughts, please…
15.3.09
ALL THAT JAZZ
A new jazz album has been released inspired by Ronnie O’Sullivan.
‘View From the Pocket’ is by Northern Star People and features tracks including ‘147’ and ‘Black Ball.’
Their Myspace site describes Northern Star People as “Polish hip hop musicians,” which seems an unlikely community to be into snooker but I suppose that proves Ronnie’s pulling power.
Here’s what The Guardian make of the album.
Their Myspace site describes Northern Star People as “Polish hip hop musicians,” which seems an unlikely community to be into snooker but I suppose that proves Ronnie’s pulling power.
Here’s what The Guardian make of the album.
13.3.09
DAVIS 'SHOCK' OVER LACK OF WORLD SPONSOR
Steve Davis, the circuit's senior player, has admitted to 'shock' over the lack of a sponsor for the World Championship.
The tournament remains without a backer just five weeks before the TV stages kick off at the Crucible.
Davis, six times a winner of the title in the 1980s and a qualifier once again this season, believes the global economic crisis has had a knock-on effect for snooker.
“It’s a concern for everybody but my long term concern for the game isn’t so severe. It’s had a bit of a lease of life around the world,” he said.
“It may be that the nature of sports sponsorship is going to go through some changes anyway and the way sports generate their money may be different.
“But it seems a bit of a shock for it not to be sponsored, I must admit. I can’t quite believe that 130 hours on the BBC isn’t worth something.
“So I can only assume that in the times we find ourselves in now that no company can be seen to be throwing money around.
“I’m not too sure that if things were better that would be the case. I think somebody would say, ‘we’ve got to have this.’
“It may be that we haven’t done our job properly, I don’t know. It may be that the powers that be haven’t got enough fingers in enough pies to get to talk to the right people.
“I don’t know. I’m not saying one way or another but it’s a very tough time and this proves it.”
I understand World Snooker have had several approaches from companies wishing to sponsor the World Championship but none at the financial level they were hoping for.
I personally think they are right not to give the tournament away on the cheap.
That wouldn't solve any of the sport's long term problems.
However, it will look bad if the game's showpiece occasion goes ahead unsponsored.
It would send the message out that snooker isn't worth sponsoring, not to mention further depleting World Snooker's dwindling resources.
The tournament remains without a backer just five weeks before the TV stages kick off at the Crucible.
Davis, six times a winner of the title in the 1980s and a qualifier once again this season, believes the global economic crisis has had a knock-on effect for snooker.
“It’s a concern for everybody but my long term concern for the game isn’t so severe. It’s had a bit of a lease of life around the world,” he said.
“It may be that the nature of sports sponsorship is going to go through some changes anyway and the way sports generate their money may be different.
“But it seems a bit of a shock for it not to be sponsored, I must admit. I can’t quite believe that 130 hours on the BBC isn’t worth something.
“So I can only assume that in the times we find ourselves in now that no company can be seen to be throwing money around.
“I’m not too sure that if things were better that would be the case. I think somebody would say, ‘we’ve got to have this.’
“It may be that we haven’t done our job properly, I don’t know. It may be that the powers that be haven’t got enough fingers in enough pies to get to talk to the right people.
“I don’t know. I’m not saying one way or another but it’s a very tough time and this proves it.”
I understand World Snooker have had several approaches from companies wishing to sponsor the World Championship but none at the financial level they were hoping for.
I personally think they are right not to give the tournament away on the cheap.
That wouldn't solve any of the sport's long term problems.
However, it will look bad if the game's showpiece occasion goes ahead unsponsored.
It would send the message out that snooker isn't worth sponsoring, not to mention further depleting World Snooker's dwindling resources.
12.3.09
PODCAST#5...ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS
Our latest podcast features me answering the questions you sent in recently.
Click here to hear my views on Judd Trump, why there isn't much snooker in the papers, Stephen Hendry's silent treatment and much more.
Next week: top referee Jan Verhaas takes us through some of the lesser known rules.
Click here to hear my views on Judd Trump, why there isn't much snooker in the papers, Stephen Hendry's silent treatment and much more.
Next week: top referee Jan Verhaas takes us through some of the lesser known rules.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
Over the next four days, Clive Everton and myself will be commentating for Eurosport 2 on the Agipi Masters of 3 cushion billiards.
What is that, you may ask?
Well, the answer is one of the most skillful of all cue sports.
Carom billiards is played on a pocketless table, therefore there is no potting.
There are three balls - a cueball and two object balls. A player scores a point by making contact with the first object ball, taking it round at least three cushions and then cannoning the second object ball.
(You can come off three cushions and play a cannon from one object ball to the other as well).
This is a very tough game to master and Eurosport 2 will be covering all four quarter-finals, the semis and final live.
The coverage starts today at 5pm. Times of coverage vary over the four days depending on which country you are in.
For more details, visit the Agipi Masters site.
If you've never seen it, tune in and I suspect you will be impressed by the skill on show.
What is that, you may ask?
Well, the answer is one of the most skillful of all cue sports.
Carom billiards is played on a pocketless table, therefore there is no potting.
There are three balls - a cueball and two object balls. A player scores a point by making contact with the first object ball, taking it round at least three cushions and then cannoning the second object ball.
(You can come off three cushions and play a cannon from one object ball to the other as well).
This is a very tough game to master and Eurosport 2 will be covering all four quarter-finals, the semis and final live.
The coverage starts today at 5pm. Times of coverage vary over the four days depending on which country you are in.
For more details, visit the Agipi Masters site.
If you've never seen it, tune in and I suspect you will be impressed by the skill on show.
11.3.09
MAGUIRE TO FACE BURNETT AGAIN
Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett, whose match at last December’s UK Championship is the subject of an official investigation by the Gambling Commission following unusual betting patterns, will play each other in the first round of next month’s World Championship.
Regardless of the result of the investigation, this is hugely embarrassing for snooker.
The sort of coverage we can expect of this match is the last thing the game needs.
Meanwhile, what a stinking draw for Stephen Hendry, who will play Mark Williams, the man he beat ten years ago to win his seventh world title.
Ronnie O’Sullivan, the defending champion, will face Stuart Bingham, who he has practised with in the past.
Mark Selby has a tough opening assignment in the shape of Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden.
There is certain to be a Chinese player in the second round after Ding Junhui drew Liang Wenbo.
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Stuart Bingham
Mark Allen v Martin Gould
Peter Ebdon v Nigel Bond
Ryan Day v Stephen Lee
John Higgins v Michael Holt
Joe Perry v Jamie Cope
Graeme Dott v Barry Hawkins
Mark Selby v Ricky Walden
Shaun Murphy v Andrew Higginson
Marco Fu v Joe Swail
Ding Junhui v Liang Wenbo
Stephen Hendry v Mark Williams
Ali Carter v Gerard Greene
Neil Robertson v Steve Davis
Mark King v Rory McLeod
Stephen Maguire v Jamie Burnett
Regardless of the result of the investigation, this is hugely embarrassing for snooker.
The sort of coverage we can expect of this match is the last thing the game needs.
Meanwhile, what a stinking draw for Stephen Hendry, who will play Mark Williams, the man he beat ten years ago to win his seventh world title.
Ronnie O’Sullivan, the defending champion, will face Stuart Bingham, who he has practised with in the past.
Mark Selby has a tough opening assignment in the shape of Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden.
There is certain to be a Chinese player in the second round after Ding Junhui drew Liang Wenbo.
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Stuart Bingham
Mark Allen v Martin Gould
Peter Ebdon v Nigel Bond
Ryan Day v Stephen Lee
John Higgins v Michael Holt
Joe Perry v Jamie Cope
Graeme Dott v Barry Hawkins
Mark Selby v Ricky Walden
Shaun Murphy v Andrew Higginson
Marco Fu v Joe Swail
Ding Junhui v Liang Wenbo
Stephen Hendry v Mark Williams
Ali Carter v Gerard Greene
Neil Robertson v Steve Davis
Mark King v Rory McLeod
Stephen Maguire v Jamie Burnett
10.3.09
STEVE DAVIS AND THE CRUCIBLE
The last player to qualify for this year's World Championship first did so in 1979.
That man is, of course, the great Steve Davis who rallied from 5-0 down to beat Lee Spick 10-8.
It means he will be at the Crucible for a 28th time. He is 51 years of age but the sheer love he has for snooker and competition has not diminished in his 31 years on the professional circuit.
He likened the build up to the World Championship as "like waiting for Christmas."
Steve also believes the Crucible should carry on staging the championship - as seems likely - when the contract expires next year.
He said: “You throw the game’s history in the bin at your peril.
“There would have to be a very good reason for doing it. I’m not sure what that reason would be but it’d have to be big.
“I don’t know what the future of the game holds but I’d be loathe to take it away from the Crucible.”
I have to say I agree with him, unless a financial offer is made that is so big it's impossible to turn down.
What I've found here over the last three days is how much getting to the Crucible means to all players - newcomers and old timers alike.
We now know the players that will be there. Now to the draw...
That man is, of course, the great Steve Davis who rallied from 5-0 down to beat Lee Spick 10-8.
It means he will be at the Crucible for a 28th time. He is 51 years of age but the sheer love he has for snooker and competition has not diminished in his 31 years on the professional circuit.
He likened the build up to the World Championship as "like waiting for Christmas."
Steve also believes the Crucible should carry on staging the championship - as seems likely - when the contract expires next year.
He said: “You throw the game’s history in the bin at your peril.
“There would have to be a very good reason for doing it. I’m not sure what that reason would be but it’d have to be big.
“I don’t know what the future of the game holds but I’d be loathe to take it away from the Crucible.”
I have to say I agree with him, unless a financial offer is made that is so big it's impossible to turn down.
What I've found here over the last three days is how much getting to the Crucible means to all players - newcomers and old timers alike.
We now know the players that will be there. Now to the draw...
DOHERTY CLOSE TO RETIREMENT
Ken Doherty tonight admitted he would play next season but "not for much longer after that" following a very disappointing 10-5 defeat to Gerard Greene.
Ken's season is now over. He only won two matches and has been relegated from the top 32.
He said: “I’m on a slippery slope and I’m wondering where it’s going to finish.
“I’ll be back next season but not for much longer after that I wouldn’t have thought, not the way things are going.”
Doherty misses out on the Crucible for the first time since 1993.
As he always is, he was professional at his press conference. He didn't blame anything other than his own performance for the defeat.
But he will now have to win two matches to reach the Crucible next season and will need to find a vast improvement in form from somewhere to do so.
Ken's season is now over. He only won two matches and has been relegated from the top 32.
He said: “I’m on a slippery slope and I’m wondering where it’s going to finish.
“I’ll be back next season but not for much longer after that I wouldn’t have thought, not the way things are going.”
Doherty misses out on the Crucible for the first time since 1993.
As he always is, he was professional at his press conference. He didn't blame anything other than his own performance for the defeat.
But he will now have to win two matches to reach the Crucible next season and will need to find a vast improvement in form from somewhere to do so.
SWAIL THROUGH
Joe Swail has been involved in so many last gasp victories over the years that it seems surprising he has beaten Matthew Couch 10-1 to qualify for the Crucible once again.
But Couch freely admitted he had played poorly today. "My head was in pieces. I just didn’t
have anything inside me," he said.
So Swail is through and Steve Davis is looking good to join him at the Crucible.
The snooker legend has gradually worn down Lee Spick, who led 5-0 but now trails 7-6.
Barry Hawkins just made a very good 42 clearance to snatch frame 13 on the black and lead Daniel Wells 7-6 - this after Wells had fought from 6-3 down to 6-6.
But Couch freely admitted he had played poorly today. "My head was in pieces. I just didn’t
have anything inside me," he said.
So Swail is through and Steve Davis is looking good to join him at the Crucible.
The snooker legend has gradually worn down Lee Spick, who led 5-0 but now trails 7-6.
Barry Hawkins just made a very good 42 clearance to snatch frame 13 on the black and lead Daniel Wells 7-6 - this after Wells had fought from 6-3 down to 6-6.
DAVIS ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL
Well, you have to hand it to Steve Davis.
At 5-0 down to Lee Spick he looked all at sea but he's hit back and he's hit back hard. It's just 5-4 now and Steve must have gone favourite to win this evening.
Ken Doherty has come back to 6-3 to throw himself a lifeline.
It promises to be a dramatic final session.
At 5-0 down to Lee Spick he looked all at sea but he's hit back and he's hit back hard. It's just 5-4 now and Steve must have gone favourite to win this evening.
Ken Doherty has come back to 6-3 to throw himself a lifeline.
It promises to be a dramatic final session.
DAY THREE UPDATE
Things are looking bleak for both Steve Davis and Ken Doherty.
Davis lost the first five frames to Lee Spick and seemed to be really struggling. This is something of a surprise after the way he played in the Championship League last week but this is the World Championship and Steve has bags of pride.
He's won this title six times and would be very disappointed not to be at the Crucible for a 28th time this year.
Doherty is making too many unforced errors against Gerard Greene but has at least now won a frame and seems to be getting to grips with a slow table.
I wouldn't rule out a comeback from the 1997 champion.
I like the way Daniel Wells plays. Unlike a lot of young players he doesn't just go for everything. He's more measured than that but Barry Hawkins is playing that little bit better at the moment.
Ian McCulloch started off in fine style against Rory McLeod but mistakes are now creeping in and he trails 3-2.
Joe Swail's match against Matthew Couch took more than two hours to reach the interval, with Swail leading 3-1.
Davis lost the first five frames to Lee Spick and seemed to be really struggling. This is something of a surprise after the way he played in the Championship League last week but this is the World Championship and Steve has bags of pride.
He's won this title six times and would be very disappointed not to be at the Crucible for a 28th time this year.
Doherty is making too many unforced errors against Gerard Greene but has at least now won a frame and seems to be getting to grips with a slow table.
I wouldn't rule out a comeback from the 1997 champion.
I like the way Daniel Wells plays. Unlike a lot of young players he doesn't just go for everything. He's more measured than that but Barry Hawkins is playing that little bit better at the moment.
Ian McCulloch started off in fine style against Rory McLeod but mistakes are now creeping in and he trails 3-2.
Joe Swail's match against Matthew Couch took more than two hours to reach the interval, with Swail leading 3-1.
KEN DOHERTY'S BIG DAY
It's no overstatement to say that Ken Doherty's match against Gerard Greene in then final qualifying round of the World Championship today is one of the biggest of his entire career.
The reason for this is that it could herald the end of his career if he loses.
Doherty's had a wretched season in which he has won just two matches.
If he doesn't beat Greene he will be out of the top 32 and consigned to spend even more time at the qualifiers next season, hardly a happy hunting ground for him during the current campaign.
It's therefore hardly surprising he has been putting the hours in here at the English Institute of Sport.
He arrived in Sheffield on Friday and has been practising hard every day since.
Ken's been not only a great player but also a great ambassador for the sport.
It would be sad to think there won't be at least one last great hurrah for him.
The reason for this is that it could herald the end of his career if he loses.
Doherty's had a wretched season in which he has won just two matches.
If he doesn't beat Greene he will be out of the top 32 and consigned to spend even more time at the qualifiers next season, hardly a happy hunting ground for him during the current campaign.
It's therefore hardly surprising he has been putting the hours in here at the English Institute of Sport.
He arrived in Sheffield on Friday and has been practising hard every day since.
Ken's been not only a great player but also a great ambassador for the sport.
It would be sad to think there won't be at least one last great hurrah for him.
9.3.09
JUDD TRUMPED
Stephen Lee was once a rising star. Now, Judd Trump is but he was beaten 10-8 from 6-2 up by Lee tonight to be denied a place at the Crucible.
And Lee was pleased. Very pleased.
Not just to win but to beat Trump.
“There’s a bit of local rivalry there and he fluked a few balls and didn’t put his hand up," Lee said.
“The boy’s good, there’s no doubt about it, but I’m glad I beat him.
“All I’ve heard about for the last five years in my area is how good he is, and he is good, you can’t take that away from the lad.
“But he’s blown a 6-3 lead today and I hope that will stick with him for a while yet. We’ve all had these war wounds to deal with."
Lee's clearance in the last frame was superb and he was, of course, buzzing with excitement to win.
But I think beating Trump is enough without having to rub it in.
And Lee was pleased. Very pleased.
Not just to win but to beat Trump.
“There’s a bit of local rivalry there and he fluked a few balls and didn’t put his hand up," Lee said.
“The boy’s good, there’s no doubt about it, but I’m glad I beat him.
“All I’ve heard about for the last five years in my area is how good he is, and he is good, you can’t take that away from the lad.
“But he’s blown a 6-3 lead today and I hope that will stick with him for a while yet. We’ve all had these war wounds to deal with."
Lee's clearance in the last frame was superb and he was, of course, buzzing with excitement to win.
But I think beating Trump is enough without having to rub it in.
BACK AT THE CRUCIBLE...BUT UNDER A CLOUD
Jamie Burnett’s first appearance at the Crucible since his debut in 1996 – equalling Barry Pinches’s record of 13 years between appearances – will undoubtedly be overshadowed by the thus far unresolved official investigation into the unusual betting patterns surrounding his 9-3 defeat to Stephen Maguire in last December’s UK Championship.
Jamie himself knows this because he says it is all anyone has wanted to talk to him about these last three months.
But he insists he does not have a case to answer.
“As far as the investigation is going, I don’t have any comment to make but it’s hard not to think about it because everyone wants to talk about it and it’s the last thing I want to talk about,” Burnett said.
“As far as I’m concerned it was a snooker match and I lost and that’s the end of it.
“When I’m playing snooker I’m fine, I don’t think about it, but off the table that’s all people want to talk about.
“It’s getting to be a pain in the backside but I don’t see it as my problem.
“I don’t have anything to answer for because I haven’t done anything. World Snooker can investigate it all they like. As I said at the time, if they want to speak to me they know where I am. It’s down to them.”
Some would argue the investigation should be conducted at a faster pace but I would disagree.
There should be no rush to judgement in such a serious case. As I understand it, the tapes are being studied and Burnett will be asked to give a full explanation of what happened.
This will not occur until after the World Championship so he will, rightly or wrongly, remain under a cloud during the Crucible event.
Jamie himself knows this because he says it is all anyone has wanted to talk to him about these last three months.
But he insists he does not have a case to answer.
“As far as the investigation is going, I don’t have any comment to make but it’s hard not to think about it because everyone wants to talk about it and it’s the last thing I want to talk about,” Burnett said.
“As far as I’m concerned it was a snooker match and I lost and that’s the end of it.
“When I’m playing snooker I’m fine, I don’t think about it, but off the table that’s all people want to talk about.
“It’s getting to be a pain in the backside but I don’t see it as my problem.
“I don’t have anything to answer for because I haven’t done anything. World Snooker can investigate it all they like. As I said at the time, if they want to speak to me they know where I am. It’s down to them.”
Some would argue the investigation should be conducted at a faster pace but I would disagree.
There should be no rush to judgement in such a serious case. As I understand it, the tapes are being studied and Burnett will be asked to give a full explanation of what happened.
This will not occur until after the World Championship so he will, rightly or wrongly, remain under a cloud during the Crucible event.
LIANG AND WILLIAMS THROUGH
Bizarre scenes here in the press room after Liang Wenbo's 10-3 victory over Dave Harold where his press conference is translated into English by Ding Junhui.
Ding himself has needed a translator in the past but his English has obviously got better.
Liang, as he always seems to be, was all smiles after qualifying for a second successive year.
For the record, he doesn't mind who he gets in the draw and isn't going to make any predictions as to how far he will get.
"I will just go and play," he said, or rather Ding said on his behalf.
Mark Williams qualified for the Crucible for the first time after beating Tom Ford 10-5.
"Of all those who have qualified I'm probably the one they want to avoid," he said.
Written down, that sounds big-headed but that's not how he meant it and I suspect most of the top 16 would agree with him.
Who'd want to draw a twice world champion whose top 16 pressures have been considerably lifted?
Ding himself has needed a translator in the past but his English has obviously got better.
Liang, as he always seems to be, was all smiles after qualifying for a second successive year.
For the record, he doesn't mind who he gets in the draw and isn't going to make any predictions as to how far he will get.
"I will just go and play," he said, or rather Ding said on his behalf.
Mark Williams qualified for the Crucible for the first time after beating Tom Ford 10-5.
"Of all those who have qualified I'm probably the one they want to avoid," he said.
Written down, that sounds big-headed but that's not how he meant it and I suspect most of the top 16 would agree with him.
Who'd want to draw a twice world champion whose top 16 pressures have been considerably lifted?
LATEST UPDATE
An unexpected miss from Judd Trump let Stephen Lee in for a very good 60 to win the first frame of their final session.
Great crowd in again, most of whom seem to be favouring Trump v Lee and Mark Williams v Tom Ford.
Williams's attitude is playing a large part in him coasting towards the winning line. He won't have enjoyed coming here but will just get on with it without any fuss.
Dave Harold now seems powerless to stop Liang Wenbo and Ricky Walden looks much more confident than he did this morning.
I'm told by someone who watched every ball of Fergal O'Brien v Jamie Burnett that O'Brien could have been 8-1 up but for a couple of vital misses.
Great crowd in again, most of whom seem to be favouring Trump v Lee and Mark Williams v Tom Ford.
Williams's attitude is playing a large part in him coasting towards the winning line. He won't have enjoyed coming here but will just get on with it without any fuss.
Dave Harold now seems powerless to stop Liang Wenbo and Ricky Walden looks much more confident than he did this morning.
I'm told by someone who watched every ball of Fergal O'Brien v Jamie Burnett that O'Brien could have been 8-1 up but for a couple of vital misses.
WILLIAMS'S BIG BREAK
Mark Williams's 145 is the highest break so far and, obviously, a very good marker for the £1,000 prize for the best effort of the non-televised phase.
He leads Tom Ford 7-2 and now looks very good to qualify.
So too do Judd Trump and Liang Wenbo who hold 6-3 leads over Stephen Lee and Dave Harold respectively.
The other two matches are much tighter, though. Fergal O'Brien can't quite shake off Jamie Burnett while Anthony Hamilton is making things very tough for Ricky Walden.
Can't see either of these matches finishing early somehow.
He leads Tom Ford 7-2 and now looks very good to qualify.
So too do Judd Trump and Liang Wenbo who hold 6-3 leads over Stephen Lee and Dave Harold respectively.
The other two matches are much tighter, though. Fergal O'Brien can't quite shake off Jamie Burnett while Anthony Hamilton is making things very tough for Ricky Walden.
Can't see either of these matches finishing early somehow.
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