We wondered how Judd Trump would cope with having a bad session at the Betfred.com World Championship and he coped extremely well as a much better performance last night left his semi-final against Ding Junhui poised at 12-12.
These long matches are effectively a series of matches, played over four sessions. Trump got over his disappointing display in the morning by producing some stunning shot-making in the evening.
This has been an absorbing, at times enthralling contest between two young stars of the game. For once, it's almost as if the semi-finals aren't long enough. I could watch plenty more of this one.
John Higgins, as usual, dug deep into his deep reservoir of reserves to stay with Mark Williams, who at 9-5 yesterday looked set to take complete control of their semi-final.
Williams produced some excellent snooker and could have led 10-5 but Higgins made a trademark pressure clearance and then won the last to trail only 9-7.
Both semi-finals look set to be close today, which is good for the tournament but not neccessarily for the players, who still have a two-day final to come.
But that's the test provided by the World Championship: it's a battle to be the last man standing.
And today looks set to be the most dramatic of the Crucible marathon so far.
30.4.11
29.4.11
ADVANTAGE PRINCE WILLIAMS
For those of you – and there are far more than the media would have you believe – with little or no interest in the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Betfred.com World Championship offers a respite.
There’s not much pomp and ceremony at the Crucible but there is a chance to be part of snooker history.
For Judd Trump and Ding Junhui, there is a chance to become world champion for the first time.
I was wondering yesterday if it would finally dawn on Trump just what he is involved in, or rather whether he would be overawed by it.
Well, he wasn’t. He knocked in some terrific balls and at times seemed to be channelling the great Alex Higgins in some of his shot-making.
Trump leads 5-3. Ding was unhappy with his own performance and needed the session to end but, of course, these are long matches and he is quite capable of turning it on.
Ding could do with a good start this morning, though. You feel he needs to win the session to clip Trump’s wings.
Mark Williams proved that snooker isn’t all about big breaks as he took a 5-3 lead over John Higgins last night.
Williams, at his best, has a big match temperament, responding to the importance of the occasion. Like all the greats of the game he relishes the pressure and doesn't fear the winning line.
But then the same can be said of Higgins and this match has the potential to be very close indeed.
Long before I was working in snooker I thought the semi-finals were too long but I do also agree with Shaun Murphy, who in an interview for Eurosport said that the format of the World Championship shouldn’t change because every champion in the modern age has had to pass the same test (give or take the odd frame here and there).
The attention of much of the world may be diverted elsewhere this morning but that test is what sorts out the greats from the also-rans and it remains as fascinating as ever.
There’s not much pomp and ceremony at the Crucible but there is a chance to be part of snooker history.
For Judd Trump and Ding Junhui, there is a chance to become world champion for the first time.
I was wondering yesterday if it would finally dawn on Trump just what he is involved in, or rather whether he would be overawed by it.
Well, he wasn’t. He knocked in some terrific balls and at times seemed to be channelling the great Alex Higgins in some of his shot-making.
Trump leads 5-3. Ding was unhappy with his own performance and needed the session to end but, of course, these are long matches and he is quite capable of turning it on.
Ding could do with a good start this morning, though. You feel he needs to win the session to clip Trump’s wings.
Mark Williams proved that snooker isn’t all about big breaks as he took a 5-3 lead over John Higgins last night.
Williams, at his best, has a big match temperament, responding to the importance of the occasion. Like all the greats of the game he relishes the pressure and doesn't fear the winning line.
But then the same can be said of Higgins and this match has the potential to be very close indeed.
Long before I was working in snooker I thought the semi-finals were too long but I do also agree with Shaun Murphy, who in an interview for Eurosport said that the format of the World Championship shouldn’t change because every champion in the modern age has had to pass the same test (give or take the odd frame here and there).
The attention of much of the world may be diverted elsewhere this morning but that test is what sorts out the greats from the also-rans and it remains as fascinating as ever.
28.4.11
FANTASTIC FOUR
So the one table stage of the Betfred.com World Championship is here and, to trot out the old cliche, this is where the Crucible comes into its own.
Here's another fact that bears repetition: the players have so far won 36 frames apiece. They still need to win another 35 to become champion.
It's a fascinating line-up featuring two great former champions and two young pretenders to the throne.
Judd Trump carried on in the same merciless style he has displayed all through the tournament as he put Graeme Dott to the sword yesterday.
Dott made a good point when he said the test for Trump will be what happens if he has a bad session, how he handles something going against him.
But of course there's no guarantee that he will. Whatever happens, he's been a breath of fresh (h)air and has built up a fanbase who have loved his entertaining brand of snooker.
I thought Ding showed real fighting qualities yesterday against Mark Selby. Ding played the better safety during the second session and stopped Selby going on the attack.
Selby came back at him last night but could not finish the job and suggestions that Ding can't handle the Crucible pressure must surely now be a thing of the past.
He beat Trump in the qualifiers of the 2005 UK Championship, a tournament he went on to win, but Trump has now come of age so this could be close.
Trump is the youngest Crucible semi-finalist since Ronnie O'Sullivan, 20, reached that stage in 1996.
Mark Williams is now guaranteed to be world no.1 at the start of next season, returning to top spot after a gap of seven years.
He has played superbly so far but I still reckon he can go up a couple of gears if required.
The Welshman beat John Higgins in the Crucible semi-finals in 1999 and 2000, as I posted about here.
Higgins hasn't played at the very top of his game but produced a much better performance last night to see off O'Sullivan.
Much has been made of the fluke he got in the last frame - and he was lucky - but he was let off the hook in the afternoon.
O'Sullivan simply missed too many and made unforced errors. He said afterwards that he played like an amateur. He didn't. He is still good enough to beat 95% of the players.
The problem is the other 5%. O'Sullivan has lost some of the fear factor as his game has failed to fire. The example of Williams, though, tells him that he can get it back if he wants to.
So the stage is set for the denouement of this great event featuring a fantastic foursome. Ding v Trump, Williams v Higgins: the title is still wide open.
Here's another fact that bears repetition: the players have so far won 36 frames apiece. They still need to win another 35 to become champion.
It's a fascinating line-up featuring two great former champions and two young pretenders to the throne.
Judd Trump carried on in the same merciless style he has displayed all through the tournament as he put Graeme Dott to the sword yesterday.
Dott made a good point when he said the test for Trump will be what happens if he has a bad session, how he handles something going against him.
But of course there's no guarantee that he will. Whatever happens, he's been a breath of fresh (h)air and has built up a fanbase who have loved his entertaining brand of snooker.
I thought Ding showed real fighting qualities yesterday against Mark Selby. Ding played the better safety during the second session and stopped Selby going on the attack.
Selby came back at him last night but could not finish the job and suggestions that Ding can't handle the Crucible pressure must surely now be a thing of the past.
He beat Trump in the qualifiers of the 2005 UK Championship, a tournament he went on to win, but Trump has now come of age so this could be close.
Trump is the youngest Crucible semi-finalist since Ronnie O'Sullivan, 20, reached that stage in 1996.
Mark Williams is now guaranteed to be world no.1 at the start of next season, returning to top spot after a gap of seven years.
He has played superbly so far but I still reckon he can go up a couple of gears if required.
The Welshman beat John Higgins in the Crucible semi-finals in 1999 and 2000, as I posted about here.
Higgins hasn't played at the very top of his game but produced a much better performance last night to see off O'Sullivan.
Much has been made of the fluke he got in the last frame - and he was lucky - but he was let off the hook in the afternoon.
O'Sullivan simply missed too many and made unforced errors. He said afterwards that he played like an amateur. He didn't. He is still good enough to beat 95% of the players.
The problem is the other 5%. O'Sullivan has lost some of the fear factor as his game has failed to fire. The example of Williams, though, tells him that he can get it back if he wants to.
So the stage is set for the denouement of this great event featuring a fantastic foursome. Ding v Trump, Williams v Higgins: the title is still wide open.
27.4.11
WHEN EIGHT BECOMES FOUR
I thought Graeme Dott did well last night to pull back the last three frames. Many other players would have let their heads drop after the onslaught from Judd Trump but, after a little frustration, Dott stuck to his task.
OK, so he's 11-5 down and unlikely to win but at least he fought hard and has given himself an outside chance - nothing more - of turning it round.
Trump, though, continues to impress and is clearly enjoying the whole experience. He possibly believes a shot-clock has been introduced for the Crucible judging by his pace of play.
Snooker won't always be this much fun so I hope he carries on having the time of his life for as long as he can.
Mark Williams once again demonstrated how good he is at forcing himself into frames and how adept he is at winning scrappy frames as he opened an 11-5 lead over Mark Allen.
The Northern Irishman seemed to be in first in most of the frames but wasn't making enough and Williams was knocking in all sorts to force his way back into them.
Williams finished off with two centuries for good measure. Allen has won two deciders so far but is surely too far back to win another.
The remaining two quarter-finals are much closer. Ding Junhui leads Mark Selby 5-3 while John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan are poised at 4-4.
A couple of close finishes tonight would make great TV viewing, though wouldn't do much for the nerves of those involved.
OK, so he's 11-5 down and unlikely to win but at least he fought hard and has given himself an outside chance - nothing more - of turning it round.
Trump, though, continues to impress and is clearly enjoying the whole experience. He possibly believes a shot-clock has been introduced for the Crucible judging by his pace of play.
Snooker won't always be this much fun so I hope he carries on having the time of his life for as long as he can.
Mark Williams once again demonstrated how good he is at forcing himself into frames and how adept he is at winning scrappy frames as he opened an 11-5 lead over Mark Allen.
The Northern Irishman seemed to be in first in most of the frames but wasn't making enough and Williams was knocking in all sorts to force his way back into them.
Williams finished off with two centuries for good measure. Allen has won two deciders so far but is surely too far back to win another.
The remaining two quarter-finals are much closer. Ding Junhui leads Mark Selby 5-3 while John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan are poised at 4-4.
A couple of close finishes tonight would make great TV viewing, though wouldn't do much for the nerves of those involved.
26.4.11
ALL CHANGE
The Masters will end its long association with Wembley when it moves across London to Alexendra Palace next year.
The Masters was staged at Wembley Conference Centre for 28 years before the building was closed in 2006.
Wembley Arena then took over hosting duties and although it was the stage for some great snooker, it was never felt to be as atmospheric as the old Conference Centre.
The move also suits the sponsors, Ladbrokes, who are also sponsoring the PDC World Darts Championship staged at Alexndra Palace a few days before the start of the Masters.
I find it hard to be nostalgic about Wembley Arena but I think it's right to keep the game's premier invitation tournament in London.
Another tournament on the move is the UK Championship, which transfers from Telford back to the Barbican Centre in York.
This building closed in 2007 but has re-opened and World Snooker have decided to re-establish it as the UK's home.
York is a lovely place, particularly just before Christmas. There is more going on there than in Telford.
However, the fanbase will have to be built up again after a five year absence.
The Masters was staged at Wembley Conference Centre for 28 years before the building was closed in 2006.
Wembley Arena then took over hosting duties and although it was the stage for some great snooker, it was never felt to be as atmospheric as the old Conference Centre.
The move also suits the sponsors, Ladbrokes, who are also sponsoring the PDC World Darts Championship staged at Alexndra Palace a few days before the start of the Masters.
I find it hard to be nostalgic about Wembley Arena but I think it's right to keep the game's premier invitation tournament in London.
Another tournament on the move is the UK Championship, which transfers from Telford back to the Barbican Centre in York.
This building closed in 2007 but has re-opened and World Snooker have decided to re-establish it as the UK's home.
York is a lovely place, particularly just before Christmas. There is more going on there than in Telford.
However, the fanbase will have to be built up again after a five year absence.
NO QUARTER GIVEN
So a great night at the Crucible has left us with eight men left standing in the Betfred.com World Championship.
I'm sure you all saw the drama unfold last night so let's press on with the quarter-finals, every one of which has the potential to be a classic...
GRAEME DOTT V JUDD TRUMP
Dott once again demonstrated his fearlessness under pressure in putting away Ali Carter while Trump played his entertaining attacking game to great effect against Martin Gould.
Trump has the advantage of being young and therefore having no Crucible war wounds, no mental scars that will cause doubts to creep in.
He is enjoying himself - palpably - and will doubtless continue in the same vein today.
But Dott is a Crucible form horse; a former champion whose game suits these long matches where psychology can be just as important as form.
That experience may well prove to be the vital ingredient over their three sessions.
MARK SELBY V DING JUNHUI
"If you keep playing like that you'll win it," said Stephen Hendry to Mark Selby after he was beaten 13-4 by the Leicester Jester.
Selby certainly played superbly, scoring heavily and making the most of virtually every chance. His advantage over Ding is that the Chinese expended considerable mental energy last night in fighting back against Stuart Bingham.
But Ding has cleared a little Crucible hurdle by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in his career and, while he may not relax as such, he has at least proved he can handle the pressure in Sheffield.
Selby has not won a major title this season but is clearly cueing beautifully. The real key to this match will be how Ding responds to his late night drama. He needs to punish any Selby mistakes.
MARK WILLIAMS V MARK ALLEN
It seems an age since these two won their respective second round matches. Williams has coasted through so far while Allen has had to survive two deciders.
Williams remains a joy to watch when in full flow. He makes the game look ridiculously easy, as if it's no effort, but of course the effort has been put in throughout the season and he has played some great stuff all year.
Allen is a fighter but he surely can't afford to go too far behind to Williams. The Northern Irishman needs to play his best stuff from the start, try and treat each session as a separate match. His intensity and will to win are among his best assets and he has to use them.
Williams needs to be put under pressure, otherwise he will surely continue his canter towards the final.
JOHN HIGGINS V RONNIE O'SULLIVAN
What is there left to say about these two? They first played at the Crucible 15 years ago, met in the final ten years ago and are still each capable of brilliance.
For Higgins, the second round was a chore. He got weighed down by Rory McLeod but it'll be a different match against O'Sullivan, who stuttered a little before putting away Shaun Murphy.
O'Sullivan's mood in Sheffield has been good and his discipline has been strong. He has treated the game with the respect it deserves and got the reward.
There are few players he respects as much as Higgins and the feeling is mutual. What a match this could be.
In close, O'Sullivan looks as good as ever but his long game isn't quite firing on all cylinders and this may be a factor.
Higgins's all round game is terrific and he clearly has the stomach for the fight but he hasn't yet played the sort of world beating snooker that suggests he is going to steamroller anyone.
Higgins has won their last couple of meetings and, on form this season, should be the slight favourite but when players of this quality clash the formbook goes out of the window. It's the sort of match where you could see them both raising their games.
I'm sure you all saw the drama unfold last night so let's press on with the quarter-finals, every one of which has the potential to be a classic...
GRAEME DOTT V JUDD TRUMP
Dott once again demonstrated his fearlessness under pressure in putting away Ali Carter while Trump played his entertaining attacking game to great effect against Martin Gould.
Trump has the advantage of being young and therefore having no Crucible war wounds, no mental scars that will cause doubts to creep in.
He is enjoying himself - palpably - and will doubtless continue in the same vein today.
But Dott is a Crucible form horse; a former champion whose game suits these long matches where psychology can be just as important as form.
That experience may well prove to be the vital ingredient over their three sessions.
MARK SELBY V DING JUNHUI
"If you keep playing like that you'll win it," said Stephen Hendry to Mark Selby after he was beaten 13-4 by the Leicester Jester.
Selby certainly played superbly, scoring heavily and making the most of virtually every chance. His advantage over Ding is that the Chinese expended considerable mental energy last night in fighting back against Stuart Bingham.
But Ding has cleared a little Crucible hurdle by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in his career and, while he may not relax as such, he has at least proved he can handle the pressure in Sheffield.
Selby has not won a major title this season but is clearly cueing beautifully. The real key to this match will be how Ding responds to his late night drama. He needs to punish any Selby mistakes.
MARK WILLIAMS V MARK ALLEN
It seems an age since these two won their respective second round matches. Williams has coasted through so far while Allen has had to survive two deciders.
Williams remains a joy to watch when in full flow. He makes the game look ridiculously easy, as if it's no effort, but of course the effort has been put in throughout the season and he has played some great stuff all year.
Allen is a fighter but he surely can't afford to go too far behind to Williams. The Northern Irishman needs to play his best stuff from the start, try and treat each session as a separate match. His intensity and will to win are among his best assets and he has to use them.
Williams needs to be put under pressure, otherwise he will surely continue his canter towards the final.
JOHN HIGGINS V RONNIE O'SULLIVAN
What is there left to say about these two? They first played at the Crucible 15 years ago, met in the final ten years ago and are still each capable of brilliance.
For Higgins, the second round was a chore. He got weighed down by Rory McLeod but it'll be a different match against O'Sullivan, who stuttered a little before putting away Shaun Murphy.
O'Sullivan's mood in Sheffield has been good and his discipline has been strong. He has treated the game with the respect it deserves and got the reward.
There are few players he respects as much as Higgins and the feeling is mutual. What a match this could be.
In close, O'Sullivan looks as good as ever but his long game isn't quite firing on all cylinders and this may be a factor.
Higgins's all round game is terrific and he clearly has the stomach for the fight but he hasn't yet played the sort of world beating snooker that suggests he is going to steamroller anyone.
Higgins has won their last couple of meetings and, on form this season, should be the slight favourite but when players of this quality clash the formbook goes out of the window. It's the sort of match where you could see them both raising their games.
25.4.11
HEND OF AN ERA
Stephen Hendry has always struck me as being rather shy. We are still to find out if he is also retiring.
His 13-4 defeat to Mark Selby today had the feeling of being the end of an era. If he does carry on - and he is yet to fully decide - there is certainly no guarantee he will be back at the Crucible next year.
The discussion over his top 16 place is something of a red herring because he has already declared he won't be playing in the PTCs next season, so he will fall out soon enough under the new ranking system.
I can't see this golf lover forsaking the fairways of Gleneagles for the practice table during the summer with any great enthusiasm as the new season makes an early start.
He doesn't need to slog round small tournaments and qualifiers when he knows, deep down, that his game is not going to return to the heights it hit in the 1990s.
So the end is nigh, if it hasn't already arrived.
Hendry is probably a little nonplussed by the fuss being made. For Stephen, it was never about the acclaim or even the records, just about winning.
He decided at an early age that he would be the best there ever was and set about making that into a reality.
Hendry has struggled for consistent form in recent seasons but can walk away with his head held high.
"Hendry is the greatest snooker player of all time, no doubt. Trust me I have played them all," was Ronnie O'Sullivan's view on Twitter, a gracious and heartfelt tribute to a rival.
Hendry, though, does not just want to turn up at tournaments to be applauded. That isn't him.
It's telling that he considers his greatest performance at the Crucible not to be his first world title or even his seventh, not his comeback against Jimmy White in 1992 or deciding frame win in 1994, but his 18-5 demolition of White in 1993.
Hendry won without mercy or sympathy the way all great champions in any sport do.
Retirement is a difficult decision, particularly as he is only 42. Terry Griffiths is the only top player to retire while still high in the rankings.
Terry did so in 1996 after dropping out of the top 16 but entered the World Championship the following year and qualified before losing 10-9 to a young Mark Williams.
With the new ranking system that option isn't really realistic for Hendry. I'm sure he would shy away from a sympathy wildcard at the Masters or any notion of receiving the kind of send off most will feel he deserves.
In his own head he doesn't need it: he proved he was the best on the table and that is enough for him.
His 13-4 defeat to Mark Selby today had the feeling of being the end of an era. If he does carry on - and he is yet to fully decide - there is certainly no guarantee he will be back at the Crucible next year.
The discussion over his top 16 place is something of a red herring because he has already declared he won't be playing in the PTCs next season, so he will fall out soon enough under the new ranking system.
I can't see this golf lover forsaking the fairways of Gleneagles for the practice table during the summer with any great enthusiasm as the new season makes an early start.
He doesn't need to slog round small tournaments and qualifiers when he knows, deep down, that his game is not going to return to the heights it hit in the 1990s.
So the end is nigh, if it hasn't already arrived.
Hendry is probably a little nonplussed by the fuss being made. For Stephen, it was never about the acclaim or even the records, just about winning.
He decided at an early age that he would be the best there ever was and set about making that into a reality.
Hendry has struggled for consistent form in recent seasons but can walk away with his head held high.
"Hendry is the greatest snooker player of all time, no doubt. Trust me I have played them all," was Ronnie O'Sullivan's view on Twitter, a gracious and heartfelt tribute to a rival.
Hendry, though, does not just want to turn up at tournaments to be applauded. That isn't him.
It's telling that he considers his greatest performance at the Crucible not to be his first world title or even his seventh, not his comeback against Jimmy White in 1992 or deciding frame win in 1994, but his 18-5 demolition of White in 1993.
Hendry won without mercy or sympathy the way all great champions in any sport do.
Retirement is a difficult decision, particularly as he is only 42. Terry Griffiths is the only top player to retire while still high in the rankings.
Terry did so in 1996 after dropping out of the top 16 but entered the World Championship the following year and qualified before losing 10-9 to a young Mark Williams.
With the new ranking system that option isn't really realistic for Hendry. I'm sure he would shy away from a sympathy wildcard at the Masters or any notion of receiving the kind of send off most will feel he deserves.
In his own head he doesn't need it: he proved he was the best on the table and that is enough for him.
THE LAST GOODBYE?
It was April 22nd, 1986 when Stephen Hendry first walked into the Crucible arena. Today could very well be the last time he walks out.
In between he has taken snooker forward in terms of the way it is played and set down a series of achievements which mark him out as the greatest player who ever lived.
He finds himself 12-4 down overnight to Mark Selby, one of the many young players who grew up watching Hendry and now play his game better than the seven times world champion himself.
Selby even set a record of his own yesterday by becoming the first player to compile six centuries in a single match at the Crucible.
Then he won the last frame of the afternoon having needed four snookers.
Not everyone would have played on but, in fact, the colours were ideally positioned to at least give it a go.
With one red on, it's actually two snookers and a free ball, although Selby eventually got five snookers as well as giving away six points himself.
Laughably, he was accused by some of being unsporting for doing this.
Hendry for one would have been embarrassed to be merely handed a frame out of sympathy. He never showed any of his opponents any when he was destroying them.
I expect Hendry to delay any decision about retirement until after the tournament is over. Even so, he is by no means guaranteed an automatic place at the Crucible next year.
John Higgins clawed his way into a 10-5 overnight lead over Rory McLeod.
There's no doubt McLeod was trying hard. Yes, he was really trying.
Class shone through in the end, though, but Higgins has expended far more mental energy than he would have liked just to reach the quarter-finals if he does indeed come through today.
Tonight's session could be a cracker with both matches poised at 9-7.
That's the lead Stuart Bingham holds over Ding Junhui. I was impressed with Bingham's attitude last night. He came out attacking, playing positively and going for his shots and, as Ding faltered, he opened an 8-4 lead.
The dreaded interval allowed just enough time for a few doubts to creep in and suddenly he only led 8-6 and trailed 61-0 in the next.
But a superb 72 clearance to the pink gave him the frame and though Ding won the last, the match is still in the balance.
The final session will be as much a test of nerve as a test of skill. Bingham has to try and remain positive if he is to cause an upset.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's 9-5 advantage over Shaun Murphy was reduced to 9-7 by the end of their second session.
This match is bubbling up nicely and may well come properly to life this evening...13-12 has a certain ring to it.
On a final point, it is Paul Hunter day in the CueZone in Sheffield today, commemorating Paul's life and the good work of the Paul Hunter Foundation set up in his name.
Paul's father, Alan, and daughter, Evie Rose, will be in attendance.
In between he has taken snooker forward in terms of the way it is played and set down a series of achievements which mark him out as the greatest player who ever lived.
He finds himself 12-4 down overnight to Mark Selby, one of the many young players who grew up watching Hendry and now play his game better than the seven times world champion himself.
Selby even set a record of his own yesterday by becoming the first player to compile six centuries in a single match at the Crucible.
Then he won the last frame of the afternoon having needed four snookers.
Not everyone would have played on but, in fact, the colours were ideally positioned to at least give it a go.
With one red on, it's actually two snookers and a free ball, although Selby eventually got five snookers as well as giving away six points himself.
Laughably, he was accused by some of being unsporting for doing this.
Hendry for one would have been embarrassed to be merely handed a frame out of sympathy. He never showed any of his opponents any when he was destroying them.
I expect Hendry to delay any decision about retirement until after the tournament is over. Even so, he is by no means guaranteed an automatic place at the Crucible next year.
John Higgins clawed his way into a 10-5 overnight lead over Rory McLeod.
There's no doubt McLeod was trying hard. Yes, he was really trying.
Class shone through in the end, though, but Higgins has expended far more mental energy than he would have liked just to reach the quarter-finals if he does indeed come through today.
Tonight's session could be a cracker with both matches poised at 9-7.
That's the lead Stuart Bingham holds over Ding Junhui. I was impressed with Bingham's attitude last night. He came out attacking, playing positively and going for his shots and, as Ding faltered, he opened an 8-4 lead.
The dreaded interval allowed just enough time for a few doubts to creep in and suddenly he only led 8-6 and trailed 61-0 in the next.
But a superb 72 clearance to the pink gave him the frame and though Ding won the last, the match is still in the balance.
The final session will be as much a test of nerve as a test of skill. Bingham has to try and remain positive if he is to cause an upset.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's 9-5 advantage over Shaun Murphy was reduced to 9-7 by the end of their second session.
This match is bubbling up nicely and may well come properly to life this evening...13-12 has a certain ring to it.
On a final point, it is Paul Hunter day in the CueZone in Sheffield today, commemorating Paul's life and the good work of the Paul Hunter Foundation set up in his name.
Paul's father, Alan, and daughter, Evie Rose, will be in attendance.
24.4.11
HALFWAY HOUSE
Stephen Hendry's essential problem is that he wants to play like Stephen Hendry, or rather the imperious Hendry of the 1990s.
His approach to the game is the same, but he is no longer playing it well enough and so many of the players who have copied him are now playing it better.
One of them is Mark Selby, who turned on the style last night to open a 7-1 first session lead.
Victory with a session to spare is a distinct possibility this afternoon. This would obviously not improve Hendry's chances of carrying on as a member of the circuit but I hope he takes a few weeks to assess the situation.
The first session of Ronnie O'Sullivan v Shaun Murphy failed to live up to the billing. It was all a little subdued, Murphy in particular, and O'Sullivan played well enough to open a 6-2 lead.
Clearly O'Sullivan is focused and playing with discipline, happy to dig in for the long haul.
We are still to see how he reacts if put under the sort of pressure Selby managed to apply in the quarter-finals last year.
Murphy needs a vast improvement today to stay with him, otherwise Ronnie will be in the last eight once again.
Nobody thinks Rory McLeod will beat John Higgins, just as nobody thought Steve Davis would beat him last year.
McLeod is an awkward, obdurate player who makes things difficult but Higgins has the temperament - and obviously the class - to deal with all this over such a long distance.
Ding Junhui has never been in the World Championship quarter-finals. It's all very well pointing to who has beaten him in the second round but if this pattern continues then it suggests he has a problem with the Crucible.
Stuart Bingham is no pushover. His confidence has grown this season with all the snooker he has played. The test for him will be if it goes close and the pressure descends.
Two brilliant, close finishes yesterday. Wee Dotty did it again when he beat Ali Carter 13-11 with a fine clearance in the last frame.
Graeme Dott is a Crucible form horse. Crucially, he seems to play his best snooker while bang under pressure.
You can only admire this tenacity but he doesn't just do it through pluck: we know he has the game to win the title because he did so five years ago.
The conclusion of the Mark Allen-Barry Hawkins clash was fascinating viewing.
Allen led 12-9 but Hawkins saved his best snooker for the end of the match and made three big breaks to force a decider.
Alas, he only had one shot in the last - a bungled break-off that saw the cue ball catch the blue.
Allen could have made a 147 but got a kick on the 12th black, leaving the next red awkward.
Still, it was a gutsy way to finish after all that was thrown at him and yet another slice of drama from what is boiling up to be a vintage championship.
Meanwhile, Judd Trump moves on serenely. The lad is having the time of his life, enjoying every minute.
In time he'll come to learn about Crucible pressure. Right now, it's all good fun.
Today marks the halfway point of the tournament. Some of these guys will be playing every day for the next nine if they are to win the title as the fight for the most prized trophy in snooker intensifies.
His approach to the game is the same, but he is no longer playing it well enough and so many of the players who have copied him are now playing it better.
One of them is Mark Selby, who turned on the style last night to open a 7-1 first session lead.
Victory with a session to spare is a distinct possibility this afternoon. This would obviously not improve Hendry's chances of carrying on as a member of the circuit but I hope he takes a few weeks to assess the situation.
The first session of Ronnie O'Sullivan v Shaun Murphy failed to live up to the billing. It was all a little subdued, Murphy in particular, and O'Sullivan played well enough to open a 6-2 lead.
Clearly O'Sullivan is focused and playing with discipline, happy to dig in for the long haul.
We are still to see how he reacts if put under the sort of pressure Selby managed to apply in the quarter-finals last year.
Murphy needs a vast improvement today to stay with him, otherwise Ronnie will be in the last eight once again.
Nobody thinks Rory McLeod will beat John Higgins, just as nobody thought Steve Davis would beat him last year.
McLeod is an awkward, obdurate player who makes things difficult but Higgins has the temperament - and obviously the class - to deal with all this over such a long distance.
Ding Junhui has never been in the World Championship quarter-finals. It's all very well pointing to who has beaten him in the second round but if this pattern continues then it suggests he has a problem with the Crucible.
Stuart Bingham is no pushover. His confidence has grown this season with all the snooker he has played. The test for him will be if it goes close and the pressure descends.
Two brilliant, close finishes yesterday. Wee Dotty did it again when he beat Ali Carter 13-11 with a fine clearance in the last frame.
Graeme Dott is a Crucible form horse. Crucially, he seems to play his best snooker while bang under pressure.
You can only admire this tenacity but he doesn't just do it through pluck: we know he has the game to win the title because he did so five years ago.
The conclusion of the Mark Allen-Barry Hawkins clash was fascinating viewing.
Allen led 12-9 but Hawkins saved his best snooker for the end of the match and made three big breaks to force a decider.
Alas, he only had one shot in the last - a bungled break-off that saw the cue ball catch the blue.
Allen could have made a 147 but got a kick on the 12th black, leaving the next red awkward.
Still, it was a gutsy way to finish after all that was thrown at him and yet another slice of drama from what is boiling up to be a vintage championship.
Meanwhile, Judd Trump moves on serenely. The lad is having the time of his life, enjoying every minute.
In time he'll come to learn about Crucible pressure. Right now, it's all good fun.
Today marks the halfway point of the tournament. Some of these guys will be playing every day for the next nine if they are to win the title as the fight for the most prized trophy in snooker intensifies.
23.4.11
CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS
Had the draw worked out differently, Shaun Murphy v Ronnie O’Sullivan could have been the Betfred.com World Championship final but these two former champions are in fact meeting in the second round.
It is a tantalising clash of personalities. Both players are outspoken and attract almost as much comment for their opinions as their performances.
Each has played snooker regularly since boyhood and gone on to triumph at the Crucible.
While Murphy’s love of snooker has not wavered, O’Sullivan has of course struggled to retain his affection for the game amid the whirl of real life events.
But he appears to be in much better shape after consulting Dr Steve Peters, a psychiatrist, ahead of the tournament.
The key to the match could be the extent to which Murphy can put O’Sullivan under pressure. This will be the real test of his game as Dominic Dale failed to exert much in the first round.
Ali Carter couldn’t quite put Graeme Dott away yesterday, losing three successive black ball frames to trail 5-3 before producing a much better second session performance to lead 8-6.
True to form, though, battler Dott dug in to make it 8-8 and set up a fascinating final session this afternoon.
Judd Trump needs just two more frames to see off Martin Gould, who went for a risky double on the re-spotted black in their 13th frame.
In missing it and leaving it in the jaws, the match turned away from him and Trump eased away to 11-5.
Judd is clearly loving every minute of his Crucible experience. And why not? He does not have the baggage of many other players, or the mental scars accumulated over the years at Sheffield.
He is only 21 and so if he doesn’t win it this year there will be plenty more opportunities in the future. This makes him very dangerous and a live outsider for the title.
Mark Allen didn’t seem quite right against Barry Hawkins, who played solidly in claiming a 5-3 first session lead.
When Mark Selby played Stephen Hendry at the same stage last year the first session was close before Selby pulled away.
Logic dictates something similar will happen this year, although logic and snooker don’t always go together.
It is a tantalising clash of personalities. Both players are outspoken and attract almost as much comment for their opinions as their performances.
Each has played snooker regularly since boyhood and gone on to triumph at the Crucible.
While Murphy’s love of snooker has not wavered, O’Sullivan has of course struggled to retain his affection for the game amid the whirl of real life events.
But he appears to be in much better shape after consulting Dr Steve Peters, a psychiatrist, ahead of the tournament.
The key to the match could be the extent to which Murphy can put O’Sullivan under pressure. This will be the real test of his game as Dominic Dale failed to exert much in the first round.
Ali Carter couldn’t quite put Graeme Dott away yesterday, losing three successive black ball frames to trail 5-3 before producing a much better second session performance to lead 8-6.
True to form, though, battler Dott dug in to make it 8-8 and set up a fascinating final session this afternoon.
Judd Trump needs just two more frames to see off Martin Gould, who went for a risky double on the re-spotted black in their 13th frame.
In missing it and leaving it in the jaws, the match turned away from him and Trump eased away to 11-5.
Judd is clearly loving every minute of his Crucible experience. And why not? He does not have the baggage of many other players, or the mental scars accumulated over the years at Sheffield.
He is only 21 and so if he doesn’t win it this year there will be plenty more opportunities in the future. This makes him very dangerous and a live outsider for the title.
Mark Allen didn’t seem quite right against Barry Hawkins, who played solidly in claiming a 5-3 first session lead.
When Mark Selby played Stephen Hendry at the same stage last year the first session was close before Selby pulled away.
Logic dictates something similar will happen this year, although logic and snooker don’t always go together.
22.4.11
THE CRUCIBLE'S EASTER PARADE
It seems unlikely to be a long Good Friday for Mark Williams, who resumes 7-1 up on Jamie Cope and is therefore able to wrap up victory with a session to spare this morning.
Cope is a fine talent but seems to let frustration get to him early when things aren't going his way.
This is a best of 25 so even at 5-1 down he had a chance of winning. 7-1 down to Williams, though, and it'll be a tall order but still not impossible.
Possibly the toughest second round match to call is Ali Carter v Graeme Dott, two players evenly matched, although Dott has been in three Crucible finals and, of course, won the title.
Carter blew away Dave Harold. Dott responded well when Mark King came from 7-3 down to trail him just 7-6.
I think this will be a good match and most likely close. They are two strong competitors who wear their hearts on their sleeve and are capable of producing high quality snooker under pressure.
Speaking of which, Judd Trump v Martin Gould lived up to its billing with an entertaining first session which Trump shaded 5-3.
These two are attacking, entertaining and get on with it.
The same can be said for Mark Allen, who is back in action following his emotional comeback against Matthew Stevens.
Allen, who has always struck me as a big occasion player, unafraid of the big stage, faces Barry Hawkins, who held off Stephen Maguire in the first round.
Apparently there's a glut of bank holidays coming up. With the above as well as O'Sullivan v Murphy, Selby v Hendry plus Higgins and Ding also in action, the extended weekend could be a green baize bonanza.
Cope is a fine talent but seems to let frustration get to him early when things aren't going his way.
This is a best of 25 so even at 5-1 down he had a chance of winning. 7-1 down to Williams, though, and it'll be a tall order but still not impossible.
Possibly the toughest second round match to call is Ali Carter v Graeme Dott, two players evenly matched, although Dott has been in three Crucible finals and, of course, won the title.
Carter blew away Dave Harold. Dott responded well when Mark King came from 7-3 down to trail him just 7-6.
I think this will be a good match and most likely close. They are two strong competitors who wear their hearts on their sleeve and are capable of producing high quality snooker under pressure.
Speaking of which, Judd Trump v Martin Gould lived up to its billing with an entertaining first session which Trump shaded 5-3.
These two are attacking, entertaining and get on with it.
The same can be said for Mark Allen, who is back in action following his emotional comeback against Matthew Stevens.
Allen, who has always struck me as a big occasion player, unafraid of the big stage, faces Barry Hawkins, who held off Stephen Maguire in the first round.
Apparently there's a glut of bank holidays coming up. With the above as well as O'Sullivan v Murphy, Selby v Hendry plus Higgins and Ding also in action, the extended weekend could be a green baize bonanza.
21.4.11
DAY SIX: DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES
So an eventful Sheffield Wednesday gives way to Thursday and the start of the second round.
Over three sessions, I would expect Mark Williams to have too much for Jamie Cope, although we shouldn’t forget just how well Cope played at that stage against John Higgins two years ago.
Judd Trump v Martin Gould should be great entertainment: two attacking, exciting players who go for their shots.
Gould never wavered against Marco Fu and THAT red will linger long in the Crucible memory this year.
Higgins maintained his mightily impressive season by racking up three centuries against Stephen Lee, he of the exotic coiffure, and leads 6-3 overnight.
Mark Selby wasn’t at all impressive, indeed was edgy and made numerous errors, but still leads Jimmy Robertson 8-1.
I can well imagine people watching this and assuming Robertson is simply no good. Obviously this is nonsense. He beat Tony Drago and Ken Doherty to qualify.
But like so many of the other 178 players to have played at the Crucible he found the Sheffield theatre-in-the-round to be an intimidating arena.
With little TV experience under his belt – in fact only one frame in the Shootout – he froze and Selby, though well below par, picked him off. I suspect when Selby is pressured he will step it up as the tournament goes on.
Well done to Rory McLeod for finally reaching the last 16 of a world ranking event with his 10-6 defeat of Ricky Walden.
This was a slow match and, in Walden’s words, ‘painful’ at times. He is right that snooker would be in poor shape if every match were like this but you still have to credit McLeod’s application.
Nevertheless, it was absurd of him to suggest Walden dragged him down. They were both slow, but McLeod is naturally slow.
Walden’s error was getting dragged into his opponent’s pace of play and not imposing himself on the match: you can’t slow it down when you’re sat in your chair.
High drama last night was provided by Mark Allen, who came from 9-6 down to beat Matthew Stevens 10-9.
He was watched in the decider by his young daughter, Lauren, and kissed her at the end some 29 years after another Northern Irishman, the late, great Alex Higgins, beckoned for his baby daughter, also Lauren, to join him in the immediate aftermath of his world title victory.
Stevens, I’m afraid, felt the pressure. He simply has too much mental scar tissue at the Crucible, too many close matches lost from ahead. It was impossible to shut all that out of his mind.
We’ve only had five days of play but clearly the Crucible remains a heady cauldron of dreams but also an unremitting chamber of nightmares.
Over three sessions, I would expect Mark Williams to have too much for Jamie Cope, although we shouldn’t forget just how well Cope played at that stage against John Higgins two years ago.
Judd Trump v Martin Gould should be great entertainment: two attacking, exciting players who go for their shots.
Gould never wavered against Marco Fu and THAT red will linger long in the Crucible memory this year.
Higgins maintained his mightily impressive season by racking up three centuries against Stephen Lee, he of the exotic coiffure, and leads 6-3 overnight.
Mark Selby wasn’t at all impressive, indeed was edgy and made numerous errors, but still leads Jimmy Robertson 8-1.
I can well imagine people watching this and assuming Robertson is simply no good. Obviously this is nonsense. He beat Tony Drago and Ken Doherty to qualify.
But like so many of the other 178 players to have played at the Crucible he found the Sheffield theatre-in-the-round to be an intimidating arena.
With little TV experience under his belt – in fact only one frame in the Shootout – he froze and Selby, though well below par, picked him off. I suspect when Selby is pressured he will step it up as the tournament goes on.
Well done to Rory McLeod for finally reaching the last 16 of a world ranking event with his 10-6 defeat of Ricky Walden.
This was a slow match and, in Walden’s words, ‘painful’ at times. He is right that snooker would be in poor shape if every match were like this but you still have to credit McLeod’s application.
Nevertheless, it was absurd of him to suggest Walden dragged him down. They were both slow, but McLeod is naturally slow.
Walden’s error was getting dragged into his opponent’s pace of play and not imposing himself on the match: you can’t slow it down when you’re sat in your chair.
High drama last night was provided by Mark Allen, who came from 9-6 down to beat Matthew Stevens 10-9.
He was watched in the decider by his young daughter, Lauren, and kissed her at the end some 29 years after another Northern Irishman, the late, great Alex Higgins, beckoned for his baby daughter, also Lauren, to join him in the immediate aftermath of his world title victory.
Stevens, I’m afraid, felt the pressure. He simply has too much mental scar tissue at the Crucible, too many close matches lost from ahead. It was impossible to shut all that out of his mind.
We’ve only had five days of play but clearly the Crucible remains a heady cauldron of dreams but also an unremitting chamber of nightmares.
20.4.11
DAY FIVE: HIGGINS TAKES CENTRE STAGE
Just as not much was expected of Ronnie O'Sullivan, many feel John Higgins is the man to beat at the Crucible.
But O'Sullivan silenced the doubters - at least for now - with a superb display against Dominic Dale. Can Higgins now deliver against Stephen Lee?
Higgins played Lee on his TV comeback at this season's UK Championshjip last December. He began with two centuries, they both played well and the Scot won 9-6.
Like O'Sullivan, Higgins is aiming to win the Betfred.com World Championship for a fourth time. He's had a great season, winning five titles, and so is clearly going to take some stopping...if he continues in the same vein.
The good news for Ronnie fans is that their man is not only playing well but, for the moment at least, feeling good in himself. Shaun Murphy, and possibly Higgins in the quarters, will provide a sterner challenge than Dale managed and how O'Sullivan deals with the pressure he is put under will be key.
But it's not like he hasn't dealt with it before at the Crucible.
Marco Fu leads Martin Gould 6-3 overnight. Fu is a hard player to predict. He either seems to play great or pretty average. Gould went for everything, which is how he plays, but they need to start going in if he's to repeat his win over Fu at the same stage last year.
Rory McLeod has never been to the last 16 of a ranking event. It could take a long time if he is to do so today.
McLeod is level at 4-4 with Ricky Walden. They were pulled off a frame early yesterday and could need a third session to finish the match if it goes close.
Peter Ebdon was very unlucky to suffer a kick when nicely in to make it 9-9 with Stuart Bingham last night but the truth is he had let the match slip from 8-6 up.
Matthew Stevens and Mark Allen served up an entertaining, highly sporting nine frames and we hope for more of the same tonight.
Graeme Dott started to play well from 2-2 to 6-2 over Mark King, although the Essex man did win the last of the afternoon.
Mark Selby has been extremely well backed for success. He plays Jimmy Robertson, a debutant also making his first appearance in the final stages of a ranking event.
Victory for Robertson would be one of the Crucible's biggest ever shocks. To stand any chance he surely needs to settle early, and that's easier said than done at the theatre of both dreams and nightmares.
But O'Sullivan silenced the doubters - at least for now - with a superb display against Dominic Dale. Can Higgins now deliver against Stephen Lee?
Higgins played Lee on his TV comeback at this season's UK Championshjip last December. He began with two centuries, they both played well and the Scot won 9-6.
Like O'Sullivan, Higgins is aiming to win the Betfred.com World Championship for a fourth time. He's had a great season, winning five titles, and so is clearly going to take some stopping...if he continues in the same vein.
The good news for Ronnie fans is that their man is not only playing well but, for the moment at least, feeling good in himself. Shaun Murphy, and possibly Higgins in the quarters, will provide a sterner challenge than Dale managed and how O'Sullivan deals with the pressure he is put under will be key.
But it's not like he hasn't dealt with it before at the Crucible.
Marco Fu leads Martin Gould 6-3 overnight. Fu is a hard player to predict. He either seems to play great or pretty average. Gould went for everything, which is how he plays, but they need to start going in if he's to repeat his win over Fu at the same stage last year.
Rory McLeod has never been to the last 16 of a ranking event. It could take a long time if he is to do so today.
McLeod is level at 4-4 with Ricky Walden. They were pulled off a frame early yesterday and could need a third session to finish the match if it goes close.
Peter Ebdon was very unlucky to suffer a kick when nicely in to make it 9-9 with Stuart Bingham last night but the truth is he had let the match slip from 8-6 up.
Matthew Stevens and Mark Allen served up an entertaining, highly sporting nine frames and we hope for more of the same tonight.
Graeme Dott started to play well from 2-2 to 6-2 over Mark King, although the Essex man did win the last of the afternoon.
Mark Selby has been extremely well backed for success. He plays Jimmy Robertson, a debutant also making his first appearance in the final stages of a ranking event.
Victory for Robertson would be one of the Crucible's biggest ever shocks. To stand any chance he surely needs to settle early, and that's easier said than done at the theatre of both dreams and nightmares.
19.4.11
LEGENDS PLAY STARRING ROLE
Two snooker legends lit up the Betfred.com World Championship yesterday.
Ronnie O'Sullivan turned on the style to take a 7-2 lead over Dominic Dale while Stephen Hendry scraped over the line 10-9 against Joe Perry after a very edgy decider.
All eyes were on O'Sullivan after a fractious season and a build-up which included a threat to withdraw from the tournament.
The good news for his many fans was that he arrived in Sheffield last Thursday determined to dig in and work hard prior to the event. He prepared well and at times played superbly.
Several times in his career O'Sullivan has bounced back from controversy and won a title.
For instance, following his infamous walk-out against Hendry at the 2006 UK Championship he immediately won the Masters.
After his lewd behaviour at a China Open press conference three years ago he landed a third world title.
Maybe he feels he has a point to prove. O'Sullivan certainly gave his supporters hope...but he needs to keep it going against Shaun Murphy and possibly John Higgins in what remains a very difficult draw.
O'Sullivan has often said he is pondering retirement and, of course, nothing has ever come of it but Hendry is genuinely considering hanging up his cue.
He may need to win one more match to stay in the top 16 but has already decided not to enter the PTCs next season and this is likely to cost him his spot among the elite at some point in the near future.
I know Stephen loves winning above mere playing but it would be a great shame to lose him from the circuit at the age of just 42.
Hats off to Barry Hawkins for withstanding a fine comeback from Stephen Maguire, who recovered from 6-2 down before Hawkins won 10-9.
This isn't necessarily a huge shock but it was Hawkins's first win at the Crucible in six visits to Sheffield and I'm sure a source of huge satisfaction for him.
Up today are Marco Fu against Martin Gould, re-running a first round match from last year which Gould won 10-9.
Mark Allen, who is thankfully receiving the treatment he needs for depression, faces a rejuvenated Matthew Stevens in one of the first round's most intriguing matches.
Graeme Dott, a Crucible form horse having appeared in three finals there, starts out against Mark King.
But all eyes will be on O'Sullivan again, not just for how he plays but for what he says after what should now be a routine victory.
Ronnie O'Sullivan turned on the style to take a 7-2 lead over Dominic Dale while Stephen Hendry scraped over the line 10-9 against Joe Perry after a very edgy decider.
All eyes were on O'Sullivan after a fractious season and a build-up which included a threat to withdraw from the tournament.
The good news for his many fans was that he arrived in Sheffield last Thursday determined to dig in and work hard prior to the event. He prepared well and at times played superbly.
Several times in his career O'Sullivan has bounced back from controversy and won a title.
For instance, following his infamous walk-out against Hendry at the 2006 UK Championship he immediately won the Masters.
After his lewd behaviour at a China Open press conference three years ago he landed a third world title.
Maybe he feels he has a point to prove. O'Sullivan certainly gave his supporters hope...but he needs to keep it going against Shaun Murphy and possibly John Higgins in what remains a very difficult draw.
O'Sullivan has often said he is pondering retirement and, of course, nothing has ever come of it but Hendry is genuinely considering hanging up his cue.
He may need to win one more match to stay in the top 16 but has already decided not to enter the PTCs next season and this is likely to cost him his spot among the elite at some point in the near future.
I know Stephen loves winning above mere playing but it would be a great shame to lose him from the circuit at the age of just 42.
Hats off to Barry Hawkins for withstanding a fine comeback from Stephen Maguire, who recovered from 6-2 down before Hawkins won 10-9.
This isn't necessarily a huge shock but it was Hawkins's first win at the Crucible in six visits to Sheffield and I'm sure a source of huge satisfaction for him.
Up today are Marco Fu against Martin Gould, re-running a first round match from last year which Gould won 10-9.
Mark Allen, who is thankfully receiving the treatment he needs for depression, faces a rejuvenated Matthew Stevens in one of the first round's most intriguing matches.
Graeme Dott, a Crucible form horse having appeared in three finals there, starts out against Mark King.
But all eyes will be on O'Sullivan again, not just for how he plays but for what he says after what should now be a routine victory.
18.4.11
GOOD NEWS DAY
Barry Hearn was at the Crucible today to unveil a raft of announcements for the 2011/12 season.
As revealed on this blog last month, there will a ranking event staged in Australia in July.
This will immediately follow the World Cup in Bangkok, which will be a biannual event.
There will be eight seeded teams - Australia, China, England, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - from a field of 24. The winning team receives a cheque for $200,000.
There will be a new format for the Premier League next season as it becomes a World Snooker event.
In order that any player can qualify, the ten man field will be filled based on tournaments won.
Therefore, confirmed are defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, Championship League winner Matthew Stevens plus ranking event winners Ali Carter, Neil Robertson, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump.
Ding Junhui qualifies as Masters champion and if one of the above wins the World Championship, Jimmy White will get a call up as world seniors champion.
Sky Sports will screen the Shootout, won this season by Nigel Bond, for the next three years having broadcast a World Snooker event for the first time for seven years in January.
Hearn also revealed talks are underway with Paul Mount to stage some PTCs and/or qualifiers at the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester rather than having them all in Sheffield, which would mean access for spectators.
Prize money on the circuit will rise above £6m and there looks like there will be 10-11 ranking tournaments, plus the new Brazilian Masters.
Hearn also wants players to come forward to record a new version of the Chas 'n' Dave 'classic' Snooker Loopy, which reached no.6 in the chart 25 years ago.
The mind boggles, frankly, as to who would want to take part in this...but we will see.
So there will be plenty of snooker next season and plenty of reasons to be optimistic in this new era for the game.
As revealed on this blog last month, there will a ranking event staged in Australia in July.
This will immediately follow the World Cup in Bangkok, which will be a biannual event.
There will be eight seeded teams - Australia, China, England, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - from a field of 24. The winning team receives a cheque for $200,000.
There will be a new format for the Premier League next season as it becomes a World Snooker event.
In order that any player can qualify, the ten man field will be filled based on tournaments won.
Therefore, confirmed are defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, Championship League winner Matthew Stevens plus ranking event winners Ali Carter, Neil Robertson, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Shaun Murphy and Judd Trump.
Ding Junhui qualifies as Masters champion and if one of the above wins the World Championship, Jimmy White will get a call up as world seniors champion.
Sky Sports will screen the Shootout, won this season by Nigel Bond, for the next three years having broadcast a World Snooker event for the first time for seven years in January.
Hearn also revealed talks are underway with Paul Mount to stage some PTCs and/or qualifiers at the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester rather than having them all in Sheffield, which would mean access for spectators.
Prize money on the circuit will rise above £6m and there looks like there will be 10-11 ranking tournaments, plus the new Brazilian Masters.
Hearn also wants players to come forward to record a new version of the Chas 'n' Dave 'classic' Snooker Loopy, which reached no.6 in the chart 25 years ago.
The mind boggles, frankly, as to who would want to take part in this...but we will see.
So there will be plenty of snooker next season and plenty of reasons to be optimistic in this new era for the game.
DAY THREE: HENDRY ON TOP
Stephen Hendry was overall pretty solid in taking a 6-3 lead over Joe Perry in their first round match at the Betfred.com World Championship yesterday.
There were mistakes but his two centuries - taking his tally at the Crucible to 123 - were proof that his game is still there. His challenge in Sheffield will be sustaining it over long enough periods.
Hendry had a lot of support from the crowd, who respect him for his unparalleled record of achievement.
Indeed, he was very popular when he first came on the scene a quarter of a century ago as a young, attacking, exciting player - a little like Judd Trump now.
This being Britain, he ended up being booed now and again for being too successful but there was a warmth to the audience reaction to his match yesterday and I'd expect that to continue this afternoon.
Humility was not high on Ronnie O'Sullivan's list of priorities in an interview with yesterday's Daily Star on Sunday, in which he claimed: "I've done more for snooker than anybody else has ever done in the game."
The soap opera rolls into town today where, as ever, what happens on the table will be more important than the endless talk off it.
O'Sullivan has had a poor season but has never lost to Dominic Dale, has been practising hard and is quite capable of finding form and blowing the Welshman away.
I expect moments of brilliance from snooker's greatest ever natural talent. The test, for the whole tournament, will come in finding some consistency and knuckling down to compete when his game isn't firing on all cylinders.
Shaun Murphy says he is looking forward to playing O'Sullivan in the second round after a superb display to hammer Marcus Campbell 10-1.
Murphy is one of a number of players who have played so much snooker this season that they are fully sharp for the World Championship.
Mark Williams, a 10-5 winner over Ryan Day, and Ali Carter, who beat Dave Harold 10-3, are two others.
Meanwhile, spare a thought for Andrew Pagett. His match against Jamie Cope was by no means a classic but he fought back well from 9-5 down to trail only 9-7 and had the pink for 9-8 before this happened.
And the lights duly went out on his challenge.
There were mistakes but his two centuries - taking his tally at the Crucible to 123 - were proof that his game is still there. His challenge in Sheffield will be sustaining it over long enough periods.
Hendry had a lot of support from the crowd, who respect him for his unparalleled record of achievement.
Indeed, he was very popular when he first came on the scene a quarter of a century ago as a young, attacking, exciting player - a little like Judd Trump now.
This being Britain, he ended up being booed now and again for being too successful but there was a warmth to the audience reaction to his match yesterday and I'd expect that to continue this afternoon.
Humility was not high on Ronnie O'Sullivan's list of priorities in an interview with yesterday's Daily Star on Sunday, in which he claimed: "I've done more for snooker than anybody else has ever done in the game."
The soap opera rolls into town today where, as ever, what happens on the table will be more important than the endless talk off it.
O'Sullivan has had a poor season but has never lost to Dominic Dale, has been practising hard and is quite capable of finding form and blowing the Welshman away.
I expect moments of brilliance from snooker's greatest ever natural talent. The test, for the whole tournament, will come in finding some consistency and knuckling down to compete when his game isn't firing on all cylinders.
Shaun Murphy says he is looking forward to playing O'Sullivan in the second round after a superb display to hammer Marcus Campbell 10-1.
Murphy is one of a number of players who have played so much snooker this season that they are fully sharp for the World Championship.
Mark Williams, a 10-5 winner over Ryan Day, and Ali Carter, who beat Dave Harold 10-3, are two others.
Meanwhile, spare a thought for Andrew Pagett. His match against Jamie Cope was by no means a classic but he fought back well from 9-5 down to trail only 9-7 and had the pink for 9-8 before this happened.
And the lights duly went out on his challenge.
17.4.11
MANDY FISHER RESIGNS FROM WLBSA
Mandy Fisher, who founded the World Ladies Billiards and Snooker Association 30 years ago, has resigned as its chair.
Fisher, 49, began the women's circuit in 1981 but told players and officials at the recent World Championship: “I have done all that I am capable of doing for the ladies game and I will not be standing for re-election.
"I don’t want it to fold and I don’t want it to fail. I just feel I can’t do any more than I’ve done.”
Fisher's commitment to the women's game has been one of the main reasons it has survived this long.
World champion herself in 1984, she oversaw a transformation in fortunes in the late 80s/early 90s in which women's snooker gained television coverage.
One of Fisher’s great personal memories is the run up to her 1991 World Championship quarter-final clash with Allison Fisher on the day her second son Matthew was due.
She was corralled by Barry Hearn, now World Snooker chairman, into parading in front of the press in Hyde Park wearing carpet slippers and a maternity dress.
She also helped get the women's game taken under the wing of the WPBSA in 1997, which meant their major finals were played at venues such as the Crucible during the main professional events.
The WPBSA subsidy was cut in 2003 and the women's game continues now at a lower level, even though it attracts an international field. Reanne Evans won just £1,000 for retaining her world title last week.
Fisher will remain as president of the WLBSA. Her role as chairman will pass to Brian Harvey, who has represented England at billiards.
“It wasn’t always easy but Mandy’s heart was always in the right place and she worked tirelessly for little reward," said former WLBSA secretary and tournament director Jane O'Neill.
“There were always the knockers and detractors and plenty with ‘bright ideas’, but no one ever came close to achieving better than Mandy.
“Who can replace her? She shouldn’t go unless Barry Hearn is taking over."
Fisher, 49, began the women's circuit in 1981 but told players and officials at the recent World Championship: “I have done all that I am capable of doing for the ladies game and I will not be standing for re-election.
"I don’t want it to fold and I don’t want it to fail. I just feel I can’t do any more than I’ve done.”
Fisher's commitment to the women's game has been one of the main reasons it has survived this long.
World champion herself in 1984, she oversaw a transformation in fortunes in the late 80s/early 90s in which women's snooker gained television coverage.
One of Fisher’s great personal memories is the run up to her 1991 World Championship quarter-final clash with Allison Fisher on the day her second son Matthew was due.
She was corralled by Barry Hearn, now World Snooker chairman, into parading in front of the press in Hyde Park wearing carpet slippers and a maternity dress.
She also helped get the women's game taken under the wing of the WPBSA in 1997, which meant their major finals were played at venues such as the Crucible during the main professional events.
The WPBSA subsidy was cut in 2003 and the women's game continues now at a lower level, even though it attracts an international field. Reanne Evans won just £1,000 for retaining her world title last week.
Fisher will remain as president of the WLBSA. Her role as chairman will pass to Brian Harvey, who has represented England at billiards.
“It wasn’t always easy but Mandy’s heart was always in the right place and she worked tirelessly for little reward," said former WLBSA secretary and tournament director Jane O'Neill.
“There were always the knockers and detractors and plenty with ‘bright ideas’, but no one ever came close to achieving better than Mandy.
“Who can replace her? She shouldn’t go unless Barry Hearn is taking over."
DAY TWO: ENTER HENDRY
What a great start to the Betfred.com World Championship as the Neil Robertson-Judd Trump match lived up to its billing.
Yes there were mistakes on both sides but that only added to the drama and tension as, once again, the longer matches meant plenty of time for the momentum to shift.
There’s nothing like the Crucible for this. And there’s nothing like the Crucible for making players even with iron temperaments like Robertson feel the pressure.
So Robertson is out and the so-called ‘Crucible curse’ claims another victim. He becomes the fifth first time defending champion to lose his first match the following year.
And Trump is through. Make no mistake, this boy is a star. He missed a couple of frame balls himself but in the last he saw a chance to win and went for it full-blooded. Judd will have plenty of support for the rest of the tournament.
Andrew Pagett certainly made an impression yesterday with his attire and played well to lead Jamie Cope 4-2 but trails 5-4 coming back today and may struggle to play as well again.
Dave Harold staved off the whitewash by winning the last of the session to trail Ali Carter 8-1 but it’s a miserable weekend for the potter: he can’t even go and watch his beloved Stoke City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Mark Williams ambled around the table apparently without a care in the world as he built a 6-3 lead over Ryan Day.
Marcus Campbell is a frame away from an unwanted place in the history books. The only Crucible whitewash came in 1992 when John Parrott beat Eddie Charlton 10-0. Campbell trails Shaun Murphy 9-0.
Starting out today for his 26th successive Crucible campaign is the greatest of them all, Stephen Hendry.
Nobody has played more, or won more, matches at the Sheffield theatre than the 41 year-old Scot.
But this year’s World Championship could conceivably be his last. If he fails to beat Joe Perry he will lose his top 16 place and be plunged into the qualifiers.
Hendry could regain his place by next year but I can’t see the sterile qualifying set up inspiring him, which is why a strong Crucible performance this year is a must for the seven times world champion.
Yes there were mistakes on both sides but that only added to the drama and tension as, once again, the longer matches meant plenty of time for the momentum to shift.
There’s nothing like the Crucible for this. And there’s nothing like the Crucible for making players even with iron temperaments like Robertson feel the pressure.
So Robertson is out and the so-called ‘Crucible curse’ claims another victim. He becomes the fifth first time defending champion to lose his first match the following year.
And Trump is through. Make no mistake, this boy is a star. He missed a couple of frame balls himself but in the last he saw a chance to win and went for it full-blooded. Judd will have plenty of support for the rest of the tournament.
Andrew Pagett certainly made an impression yesterday with his attire and played well to lead Jamie Cope 4-2 but trails 5-4 coming back today and may struggle to play as well again.
Dave Harold staved off the whitewash by winning the last of the session to trail Ali Carter 8-1 but it’s a miserable weekend for the potter: he can’t even go and watch his beloved Stoke City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Mark Williams ambled around the table apparently without a care in the world as he built a 6-3 lead over Ryan Day.
Marcus Campbell is a frame away from an unwanted place in the history books. The only Crucible whitewash came in 1992 when John Parrott beat Eddie Charlton 10-0. Campbell trails Shaun Murphy 9-0.
Starting out today for his 26th successive Crucible campaign is the greatest of them all, Stephen Hendry.
Nobody has played more, or won more, matches at the Sheffield theatre than the 41 year-old Scot.
But this year’s World Championship could conceivably be his last. If he fails to beat Joe Perry he will lose his top 16 place and be plunged into the qualifiers.
Hendry could regain his place by next year but I can’t see the sterile qualifying set up inspiring him, which is why a strong Crucible performance this year is a must for the seven times world champion.
16.4.11
AND SO IT BEGINS
“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” – so wrote William Shakespeare in Henry IV, part two.
Wearing the crown at the Crucible is Neil Robertson, who starts the defence of his Betfred.com World Championship title against Judd Trump this morning.
Steve Davis, a kind of bard of the baize, summed up the pressure of being defending champion thus: “The first shock hasn’t happened yet. It could be you.”
Robertson has coped very well under pressure throughout his career, not least at the Crucible last year.
But he knows – because everyone has told him, many times – that no first time champion has made a successful title defence.
He also knows that Trump is in the form of his life, having just won the China Open.
Trump is not only full of confidence but also now knows how to win: by playing an all round game which mixes his fierce attacking skills with some astute tactical play. Robertson learned the same game and has used it to deadly effect himself in recent years.
Let’s hope the match is a cracker to launch what seems sure to be a great World Championship.
There’s been so much snooker played this season that many players are going to Sheffield in superb form and, unless for some reason the conditions are bad, the standard should be extremely high.
Also in action this morning is Andrew Pagett, one of two debutants, who plays Jamie Cope. How will he take to the Crucible surroundings? Will he freeze completely or just enjoy himself?
I think Ali Carter could go a long way in this tournament but he needs to retain his patience against the obdurate Dave Harold, a seasoned campaigner who can make life very difficult. They play their opening session this afternoon.
Shaun Murphy, one of the favourites this year, meets Marcus Campbell in their first session tonight.
Another favourite, Mark Williams, faces his fellow Welshman Ryan Day. They may be rivals on the table but are good friends off it and last week took their respective families on a caravan holiday in Porthcawl, North Wales.
So three really interesting sessions ahead of us and 17 days of twists and turns, joy and despair, elation and meltdowns to come before we discover who will be crowned 2011 world champion.
It’s been a fascinating season full of innovation - a new ranking event will be announced today - but there’s nothing like the long matches at the claustrophobic Crucible. For snooker fans this is the highlight of the year.
There’s been so much build up, excitement and anticipation around this year’s World Championship.
Now, in the words not of Shakespeare but MC Rob Walker, let’s finally get the boys on the baize...
Wearing the crown at the Crucible is Neil Robertson, who starts the defence of his Betfred.com World Championship title against Judd Trump this morning.
Steve Davis, a kind of bard of the baize, summed up the pressure of being defending champion thus: “The first shock hasn’t happened yet. It could be you.”
Robertson has coped very well under pressure throughout his career, not least at the Crucible last year.
But he knows – because everyone has told him, many times – that no first time champion has made a successful title defence.
He also knows that Trump is in the form of his life, having just won the China Open.
Trump is not only full of confidence but also now knows how to win: by playing an all round game which mixes his fierce attacking skills with some astute tactical play. Robertson learned the same game and has used it to deadly effect himself in recent years.
Let’s hope the match is a cracker to launch what seems sure to be a great World Championship.
There’s been so much snooker played this season that many players are going to Sheffield in superb form and, unless for some reason the conditions are bad, the standard should be extremely high.
Also in action this morning is Andrew Pagett, one of two debutants, who plays Jamie Cope. How will he take to the Crucible surroundings? Will he freeze completely or just enjoy himself?
I think Ali Carter could go a long way in this tournament but he needs to retain his patience against the obdurate Dave Harold, a seasoned campaigner who can make life very difficult. They play their opening session this afternoon.
Shaun Murphy, one of the favourites this year, meets Marcus Campbell in their first session tonight.
Another favourite, Mark Williams, faces his fellow Welshman Ryan Day. They may be rivals on the table but are good friends off it and last week took their respective families on a caravan holiday in Porthcawl, North Wales.
So three really interesting sessions ahead of us and 17 days of twists and turns, joy and despair, elation and meltdowns to come before we discover who will be crowned 2011 world champion.
It’s been a fascinating season full of innovation - a new ranking event will be announced today - but there’s nothing like the long matches at the claustrophobic Crucible. For snooker fans this is the highlight of the year.
There’s been so much build up, excitement and anticipation around this year’s World Championship.
Now, in the words not of Shakespeare but MC Rob Walker, let’s finally get the boys on the baize...
15.4.11
THE END OF 110SPORT?
110sport, one of snooker’s oldest management stables, is thought to be on the brink of collapse after a bank guarantee of £100,000 was recalled, placing the company in provisional liquidation.
The management arm of the Scottish company had been placed into liquidation last month.
It has emerged that Lee Doyle, the chairman and a 110sport director, resigned from the board several weeks ago.
A statement is expected next week confirming that the entire company is in liquidation. It is believed players are owed money they may now never receive.
In a letter to shareholders, the remaining 110sport board said: “The Clydesdale Bank took the decision on Friday April 8th to call up a cross guarantee which was in place to support 110sport Management (in liquidation) and removed from the company £100,000. At a meeting on Monday of this week the board urged the bank to reconsider as the board considered there to be sufficient alternative security in place to cover the liabilities to the bank. The bank declined to alter its position.
“The impact on the company in the short term of the bank’s decision has been catastrophic.
“The board reviewed the cash flow position and took account of all aspects of potential for the company but has come to the decision that the company cannot go forward without an immediate cash injection.
“With no prospect of this occurring, the need to protect stakeholders and despite the best efforts of the board the decision has been taken to seek the appointment of Ken Patullo, Begbie Traynor, as provisional liquidator for the company.”
It was clear recently that the company had major problems when 110sport players starting asking tournament organisers to pay them directly rather than through the stable.
The company was established as CueMasters in the 1980s by Ian Doyle, under whose guidance Stephen Hendry made a rapid rise to the top.
The stable included many top players over the years, including Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Williams as well as its current clients such as Hendry, Ali Carter and Ken Doherty.
Doyle fought many political battles with the WPBSA but by the time CueMasters had become TSN in 1999 they attempted to work with the governing body, offering to sponsor tournaments in return for internet rights.
TSN and its backers became so disillusioned with the WPBSA’s generally negative attitude that they took the bombshell decision to launch their own circuit.
For several months, a battle was fought by both sides to persuade players to play on either circuit but the WPBSA survived through the support of the BBC.
TSN became 110sport and again Doyle tried to take the game forward by introducing Altium and its investment in 2002 but this was rejected by the players.
Doyle gradually took a step backwards before retiring and handing the reins over to his son, Lee.
His attitude was to work with the WPBSA and he thus joined their board. This was an understandable position to take after all the infighting but I became concerned about his judgement when I heard him staunchly defending the Rodney Walker regime on BBC Radio 5 Live in 2009.
110sport’s venture into pay-per-view internet streaming of the qualifiers turned out to be a costly endeavour, which ended very quickly after it began.
Doyle chose not to support Barry Hearn when he was elected WPBSA chairman, a decision that has led directly to the demise of 110sport.
Hearn offered Doyle a slice of the commercial action when he attempted to take control of snooker’s commercial rights but Doyle instead backed a bid by John Davison, formerly of Altium, which was thin on detail. Davison did not even attend the crunch WPBSA EGM to debate the matter.
Even after Hearn won the day, Doyle still aligned himself with the old guard and tried to requisition an EGM to remove new WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson and his board.
At last year’s WPBSA AGM Doyle received only six votes.
Now out in the cold as snooker finally goes forward, 110sport has struggled to obtain new investment.
I’m sorry for Ian Doyle, who built the company from scratch, and for John Carroll, who has long managed the company’s affairs on the road, looking after players’ various whims.
But the main sympathy should be reserved for any players unable to recover money they are owed.
As if there wasn’t enough pressure at the Betfred.com World Championship, they have all this to worry about as well.
The management arm of the Scottish company had been placed into liquidation last month.
It has emerged that Lee Doyle, the chairman and a 110sport director, resigned from the board several weeks ago.
A statement is expected next week confirming that the entire company is in liquidation. It is believed players are owed money they may now never receive.
In a letter to shareholders, the remaining 110sport board said: “The Clydesdale Bank took the decision on Friday April 8th to call up a cross guarantee which was in place to support 110sport Management (in liquidation) and removed from the company £100,000. At a meeting on Monday of this week the board urged the bank to reconsider as the board considered there to be sufficient alternative security in place to cover the liabilities to the bank. The bank declined to alter its position.
“The impact on the company in the short term of the bank’s decision has been catastrophic.
“The board reviewed the cash flow position and took account of all aspects of potential for the company but has come to the decision that the company cannot go forward without an immediate cash injection.
“With no prospect of this occurring, the need to protect stakeholders and despite the best efforts of the board the decision has been taken to seek the appointment of Ken Patullo, Begbie Traynor, as provisional liquidator for the company.”
It was clear recently that the company had major problems when 110sport players starting asking tournament organisers to pay them directly rather than through the stable.
The company was established as CueMasters in the 1980s by Ian Doyle, under whose guidance Stephen Hendry made a rapid rise to the top.
The stable included many top players over the years, including Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Williams as well as its current clients such as Hendry, Ali Carter and Ken Doherty.
Doyle fought many political battles with the WPBSA but by the time CueMasters had become TSN in 1999 they attempted to work with the governing body, offering to sponsor tournaments in return for internet rights.
TSN and its backers became so disillusioned with the WPBSA’s generally negative attitude that they took the bombshell decision to launch their own circuit.
For several months, a battle was fought by both sides to persuade players to play on either circuit but the WPBSA survived through the support of the BBC.
TSN became 110sport and again Doyle tried to take the game forward by introducing Altium and its investment in 2002 but this was rejected by the players.
Doyle gradually took a step backwards before retiring and handing the reins over to his son, Lee.
His attitude was to work with the WPBSA and he thus joined their board. This was an understandable position to take after all the infighting but I became concerned about his judgement when I heard him staunchly defending the Rodney Walker regime on BBC Radio 5 Live in 2009.
110sport’s venture into pay-per-view internet streaming of the qualifiers turned out to be a costly endeavour, which ended very quickly after it began.
Doyle chose not to support Barry Hearn when he was elected WPBSA chairman, a decision that has led directly to the demise of 110sport.
Hearn offered Doyle a slice of the commercial action when he attempted to take control of snooker’s commercial rights but Doyle instead backed a bid by John Davison, formerly of Altium, which was thin on detail. Davison did not even attend the crunch WPBSA EGM to debate the matter.
Even after Hearn won the day, Doyle still aligned himself with the old guard and tried to requisition an EGM to remove new WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson and his board.
At last year’s WPBSA AGM Doyle received only six votes.
Now out in the cold as snooker finally goes forward, 110sport has struggled to obtain new investment.
I’m sorry for Ian Doyle, who built the company from scratch, and for John Carroll, who has long managed the company’s affairs on the road, looking after players’ various whims.
But the main sympathy should be reserved for any players unable to recover money they are owed.
As if there wasn’t enough pressure at the Betfred.com World Championship, they have all this to worry about as well.
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