6 months is too much to wait. This is crazy, what would the players do the whole 6 months?
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The Official Snooker Thread (5 Viewers)
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6 months is too much to wait. This is crazy, what would the players do the whole 6 months?
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snoop said:
6 months is too much to wait. This is crazy, what would the players do the whole 6 months?
Wish I had better news to revive this thread with
PAUL HUNTER 1978-2006
09 Oct 2006 22:46:00
Today is a tragic day for snooker as Paul Hunter's valiant battle against cancer has come to an end.
The three-times Masters champion from Leeds passed away at 8.20pm at Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield, five days before his 28th birthday.
The death of the popular Yorkshireman will bring immense sadness to the snooker world and to British sport.
Hunter was diagnosed 18 months ago with neuro-endocrine tumours, a rare form of cancer which causes slow-growing tumours in the lining of the body to release excessive amounts of hormones.
He underwent several gruelling courses of chemotherapy in hope of beating the disease, but to no avail. His condition deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks and he was taken into the hospice on Saturday.
Hunter leaves behind wife Lindsey and daughter Evie Rose, who was born on Boxing Day 2005.
World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker said: "I’m sure that everyone who met Paul, as well as his millions of fans and the sporting public as a whole, will join me in sending most sincere sympthies to Lindsey, Paul’s parents, his family and friends.
"Paul was a man who had everything going for him - an oustanding talent, good looks, fame, riches, charm and a beautiful wife. This shows us just how quickly life can change.
"It’s a bitter blow for snooker but most importantly for his family and our thoughts are with them."
Hunter grew up in Leeds and attended Cardinal Heenan High School, spending most of his spare time developing his natural aptitude for snooker. He was coached in his formative years by 1986 World Champion Joe Johnson.
After winning the Pontin’s Star of the Future event twice, he turned professional in 1995 and made an immediate impact, beating Stephen Hendry on his way to the semi-finals of the Welsh Open at the age of just 17.
Two years later he returned to the same event at the Newport Centre to win his first ranking tournament, beating John Higgins in the final to establish himself as a major contender in the sport.
That victory helped Hunter break into the top 16 and he continued to climb the rankings to reach a career peak of No 4 in 2004/05. He won the Welsh Open again in 2002 and the British Open later that year.
But Hunter’s most significant success came in snooker’s most prestigious invitation event - the Masters.
In 2001, he reached the final at Wembley for the first time and came from 7-3 down to beat Fergal O’Brien 10-9. His comeback was aided by a flurry of rapid high scoring as he rattled in four century breaks in six frames.
His media profile developed swiftly and he became known as the ’Beckham of the Baize’ for his glamorous image.
Hunter won the Masters twice more in the next three years, remarkably both times by a 10-9 scoreline after recovering an apparently insurmountable deficit.
In 2002 he came from 5-0 down to beat Mark Williams and in 2004 over 5million viewers on BBC Sport saw him beat Ronnie O’Sullivan having trailed 7-2.
When the diagnosis of cancer was announced in April last year, Hunter promised his fans that he would be as "tenacious and positive" in his fight against the disease as he had been throughout his snooker career.
Despite suffering from considerable pain as well as numbness in his limbs, he bravely competed on the circuit throughout the 2005/06 season. He subsequently announced his wish to take a break from snooker in order to receive more treatment.
In July this year, his fellow professionals voted for a change to the constitution of the WPBSA which allowed Hunter to successfully apply to have his official world ranking frozen at No 34 for a season.
But the news that Hunter will no longer grace the green baize will cause great sorrow to the likes of Matthew Stevens, Jimmy Michie and his many other close friends on the circuit.
Backstage at snooker events, Hunter’s charisma, cheerful persona and laid-back approach to life made him universally popular among players, officials, media and fans. He will be sadly missed by all.
His unselfish nature and appreciation of his support is underlined by an incident at the 2005 China Open in Beijing.
Following his first-round match, Hunter was requested for a press conference. When he did not appear within 20 minutes, his whereabouts was sought.
Hunter was soon discovered in the arena, patiently signing autographs and having photos taken with Chinese fans, and he remained there until every request was met. This was just a few days after he had been diagnosed with the disease which was to bring his end.
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You were a great player with a great personality. You will be missed. RIP Paul :depressed :depressed
PAUL HUNTER 1978-2006
09 Oct 2006 22:46:00
Today is a tragic day for snooker as Paul Hunter's valiant battle against cancer has come to an end.
The three-times Masters champion from Leeds passed away at 8.20pm at Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield, five days before his 28th birthday.
The death of the popular Yorkshireman will bring immense sadness to the snooker world and to British sport.
Hunter was diagnosed 18 months ago with neuro-endocrine tumours, a rare form of cancer which causes slow-growing tumours in the lining of the body to release excessive amounts of hormones.
He underwent several gruelling courses of chemotherapy in hope of beating the disease, but to no avail. His condition deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks and he was taken into the hospice on Saturday.
Hunter leaves behind wife Lindsey and daughter Evie Rose, who was born on Boxing Day 2005.
World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker said: "I’m sure that everyone who met Paul, as well as his millions of fans and the sporting public as a whole, will join me in sending most sincere sympthies to Lindsey, Paul’s parents, his family and friends.
"Paul was a man who had everything going for him - an oustanding talent, good looks, fame, riches, charm and a beautiful wife. This shows us just how quickly life can change.
"It’s a bitter blow for snooker but most importantly for his family and our thoughts are with them."
Hunter grew up in Leeds and attended Cardinal Heenan High School, spending most of his spare time developing his natural aptitude for snooker. He was coached in his formative years by 1986 World Champion Joe Johnson.
After winning the Pontin’s Star of the Future event twice, he turned professional in 1995 and made an immediate impact, beating Stephen Hendry on his way to the semi-finals of the Welsh Open at the age of just 17.
Two years later he returned to the same event at the Newport Centre to win his first ranking tournament, beating John Higgins in the final to establish himself as a major contender in the sport.
That victory helped Hunter break into the top 16 and he continued to climb the rankings to reach a career peak of No 4 in 2004/05. He won the Welsh Open again in 2002 and the British Open later that year.
But Hunter’s most significant success came in snooker’s most prestigious invitation event - the Masters.
In 2001, he reached the final at Wembley for the first time and came from 7-3 down to beat Fergal O’Brien 10-9. His comeback was aided by a flurry of rapid high scoring as he rattled in four century breaks in six frames.
His media profile developed swiftly and he became known as the ’Beckham of the Baize’ for his glamorous image.
Hunter won the Masters twice more in the next three years, remarkably both times by a 10-9 scoreline after recovering an apparently insurmountable deficit.
In 2002 he came from 5-0 down to beat Mark Williams and in 2004 over 5million viewers on BBC Sport saw him beat Ronnie O’Sullivan having trailed 7-2.
When the diagnosis of cancer was announced in April last year, Hunter promised his fans that he would be as "tenacious and positive" in his fight against the disease as he had been throughout his snooker career.
Despite suffering from considerable pain as well as numbness in his limbs, he bravely competed on the circuit throughout the 2005/06 season. He subsequently announced his wish to take a break from snooker in order to receive more treatment.
In July this year, his fellow professionals voted for a change to the constitution of the WPBSA which allowed Hunter to successfully apply to have his official world ranking frozen at No 34 for a season.
But the news that Hunter will no longer grace the green baize will cause great sorrow to the likes of Matthew Stevens, Jimmy Michie and his many other close friends on the circuit.
Backstage at snooker events, Hunter’s charisma, cheerful persona and laid-back approach to life made him universally popular among players, officials, media and fans. He will be sadly missed by all.
His unselfish nature and appreciation of his support is underlined by an incident at the 2005 China Open in Beijing.
Following his first-round match, Hunter was requested for a press conference. When he did not appear within 20 minutes, his whereabouts was sought.
Hunter was soon discovered in the arena, patiently signing autographs and having photos taken with Chinese fans, and he remained there until every request was met. This was just a few days after he had been diagnosed with the disease which was to bring his end.
----------------------
You were a great player with a great personality. You will be missed. RIP Paul :depressed :depressed
HENDRY READY FOR ROCKET TEST
12 Dec 2006 22:18:00
Stephen Hendry saw off Mark Williams at the Maplin UK Championship and eagerly awaits his clash with Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals.
The five-times UK Champion scored a 9-6 success over pal Williams at the Barbican Centre to reach the last eight of snooker’s second biggest ranking event.
The world No 1 led 6-2 overnight but soon saw his lead cut to just one frame. Williams took the first today with breaks of 40 and 38 then stole the next from 66-0 down, finishing with a brilliant black along the top cushion.
A 52 helped the Welshman make it 6-5. But Hendry responded by winning the next with a 43 and closed in on victory with a 92 for 8-5.
Williams won frame 14 on the blue to keep his hopes alive but when he missed the third-last red in the 15th at 21-53, his chance had gone.
"Mark wasn’t in form yesterday but he played some great stuff tonight and potted some incredible long balls," said 37-year-old Hendry, who has not won a ranking title since the Malta Cup early in 2005. "The frame I won to go 7-5 was a big one.
"If you have aspirations of winning this tournament, you have to beat the best in the world. Ronnie is the best, he’s fantastic to watch and he will be favourite.
"I can’t wait for the match. If I hit form I’ve got a great chance and it’s an opportunity for me to test my game. Slowly but surely my form is coming back."
The only player to have won more UK titles than Hendry, Steve Davis, is also through to the quarters.
The Nugget, six times a winner, got the better of a marathon tussle against Alan McManus, winning 9-7 at nearly half past midnight.
Tied at 4-4 overnight, last year's runner-up Davis pulled 8-5 ahead with a top break of 77. McManus battled back to 8-7 before Davis crawled over the finishing line after his opponent went in-off the blue at the end of the 46-minute 16th frame.
"I'm still very competitive and I want to do well here," said the 49-year-old. "It's been in the back of my mind that a good run here will boost my chances of staying in the top 16."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
but this is what we're all waiting for.
Wednesday's quarter-final matches:
1400 & 1900 GMT
Ding Junhui (Chn) v Peter Ebdon (Eng)
John Higgins (Sco) v Joe Perry (Eng)
Thursday's quarterfinal matches:
Stephen Hendry (Sco) v Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)
Steve Davis v Graeme Dott
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the quarterfinals. the derby is of course hendry-o'sullivan but i like higgins vs. perry also. higgins was on fire beating lee and perry knocked out doherty, which was a surprise for me, it's bound to be a interesting match.
i see higgins, ding and dott advancing. hendry if he keeps his cool can get past o'sullivan, but if the latter stays focused and calm hendry won't have much chances.
great matches coming up.
12 Dec 2006 22:18:00
Stephen Hendry saw off Mark Williams at the Maplin UK Championship and eagerly awaits his clash with Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals.
The five-times UK Champion scored a 9-6 success over pal Williams at the Barbican Centre to reach the last eight of snooker’s second biggest ranking event.
The world No 1 led 6-2 overnight but soon saw his lead cut to just one frame. Williams took the first today with breaks of 40 and 38 then stole the next from 66-0 down, finishing with a brilliant black along the top cushion.
A 52 helped the Welshman make it 6-5. But Hendry responded by winning the next with a 43 and closed in on victory with a 92 for 8-5.
Williams won frame 14 on the blue to keep his hopes alive but when he missed the third-last red in the 15th at 21-53, his chance had gone.
"Mark wasn’t in form yesterday but he played some great stuff tonight and potted some incredible long balls," said 37-year-old Hendry, who has not won a ranking title since the Malta Cup early in 2005. "The frame I won to go 7-5 was a big one.
"If you have aspirations of winning this tournament, you have to beat the best in the world. Ronnie is the best, he’s fantastic to watch and he will be favourite.
"I can’t wait for the match. If I hit form I’ve got a great chance and it’s an opportunity for me to test my game. Slowly but surely my form is coming back."
The only player to have won more UK titles than Hendry, Steve Davis, is also through to the quarters.
The Nugget, six times a winner, got the better of a marathon tussle against Alan McManus, winning 9-7 at nearly half past midnight.
Tied at 4-4 overnight, last year's runner-up Davis pulled 8-5 ahead with a top break of 77. McManus battled back to 8-7 before Davis crawled over the finishing line after his opponent went in-off the blue at the end of the 46-minute 16th frame.
"I'm still very competitive and I want to do well here," said the 49-year-old. "It's been in the back of my mind that a good run here will boost my chances of staying in the top 16."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
but this is what we're all waiting for.
Wednesday's quarter-final matches:
1400 & 1900 GMT
Ding Junhui (Chn) v Peter Ebdon (Eng)
John Higgins (Sco) v Joe Perry (Eng)
Thursday's quarterfinal matches:
Stephen Hendry (Sco) v Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)
Steve Davis v Graeme Dott
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the quarterfinals. the derby is of course hendry-o'sullivan but i like higgins vs. perry also. higgins was on fire beating lee and perry knocked out doherty, which was a surprise for me, it's bound to be a interesting match.
i see higgins, ding and dott advancing. hendry if he keeps his cool can get past o'sullivan, but if the latter stays focused and calm hendry won't have much chances.
great matches coming up.
Ding Junhui (Chn) v Peter Ebdon (Eng)
Ding Junhui really impressed during his match against Matthew Stevens, despite his young age he already plays like a true great.
John Higgins (Sco) v Joe Perry (Eng)
Perry was something of an upset when he beat Ken Doherty, but honestly Doherty wasn't playing all that well, takes nothing away from Perry though. But I truely believe Higgins will be a bit too much for him, especially if John is on form (haven't seen him play yet).
Stephen Hendry (Sco) v Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)
O'Sullivan really was on fire against McGuire, he did make a few mistakes so Hendry could get into the match to make it a close but I see Ronnie winning this with a few frames as the difference.
Steve Davis v Graeme Dott
I'm gonna go with Davis on this one. Dott played really well in his last match, but the Nugget always has some trick up his sleeve. Besides Dott's safety play isn't on par with that of Davis.
Ding Junhui really impressed during his match against Matthew Stevens, despite his young age he already plays like a true great.
John Higgins (Sco) v Joe Perry (Eng)
Perry was something of an upset when he beat Ken Doherty, but honestly Doherty wasn't playing all that well, takes nothing away from Perry though. But I truely believe Higgins will be a bit too much for him, especially if John is on form (haven't seen him play yet).
Stephen Hendry (Sco) v Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)
O'Sullivan really was on fire against McGuire, he did make a few mistakes so Hendry could get into the match to make it a close but I see Ronnie winning this with a few frames as the difference.
Steve Davis v Graeme Dott
I'm gonna go with Davis on this one. Dott played really well in his last match, but the Nugget always has some trick up his sleeve. Besides Dott's safety play isn't on par with that of Davis.
