Stephen Maguire Wins China Open
March 31, 2008
Stephen Maguire has won the 2008 China Open. Maguire managed to clinch a nail biting 10-9 victory against Shaun Murphy.
Maguire started the match strongly and was 5-3 ahead going into the first interval. Murphy however fought back hard and managed to push himself into a commanding 7-5 lead, producing some magnificent breaks along the way.
Maguire however was in fantastic form and pulled back with some high breaks including a 137, 80 and 89. Maguire knew he was going to be in a tough match with Murphy, and just about managed to win the final frame 64-60 to win the tournament.
Maguire now adds the China Open to his other 2 ranking and is having a fantastic season. He also takes away a 22,000 pounds cheque for his maximum break in the previous game against Day.
This hard win and added confidence will be an added bonus to Stephen with the World Championships at the crucible due to start shortly
Higgins makes China Open last 16
March 28, 2008
John Higgins has made it into the last 16 of the China Open, but struggled to beat Joe Swail. The current Snooker world champion had a poor game by his standards making only one over 50 break during the match.
Higgins did eventually managed to win the match 5-4 in a poor nervy encounter. Higgins admitted after the game that he had played poorly and missed lots of balls which he would not normally miss.
Joe Swail however is no slouch, and made Higgins fight hard for every point. The best players however do tend to win when playing poorly, and this is what Higgins has managed to do.
Higgins proved his champion status by steadying his nerves and getting a break of 61 to win in the final frame, the highest break of the match. Higgins will now face Mark King in the next round of the China Open, a game which he expects to win
Mark Williams happy with victory
March 27, 2008
Mark Williams has successfully beaten Scottish qualifier Marcus Campbell. Williams is very happy with the win, especially as his status in the worlds top 32 had been in danger.
Williams played a great game and is said to be very pleased with his latest performance, which included breaks of 66, 100, 101. Mark will be hoping that this emphatic win will give him the extra confidence he requires before the World Snooker Championships.
This new found confidence will hopefully give Williams the push he needs to have a good tournament. If he plays like everyone knows he can he must be a contender to win the tournament. Even better for Williams is the fact he seems to like playing in the far east, and is the most successful player having won 5 times over there.
Williams will now face Peter Ebdon in the next round of the China Open, no doubt that will be a hard fought match from two of snookers best players. Peoples favourite Ronnie O’Sullivan however is out of the tournament losing 5-4 to Marco Fu of Hong Kong
Marcus Campbell wins battle to make China Open last 32
March 26, 2008
Scottish snooker player Marcus Campbell won a hard fought battle to get a place in the last 32 of the China Open. Marcus beat local Chinese wildcard Cao Bulajiang 5-4 in a tense final frame match.
Marcus has played well during the match and managed to get two century breaks. However his Chinese opponent pushed him all the way, with Campbell needing a good break of 45 in the final frame to get through.
Campbell wasn’t expecting such a hard match at this stage in the China open, and admitted that he knew little about his opponent, but however is happy to have got through.
The next match for Campbell will be against the two-time world champion Mark Williams . This will be a tough game for Marcus against a player who can beat anyone when he is at his best. The match will be even more dangerous for Marcus as Williams has struggled for form in the last couple of seasons, and will be looking to win the match to gain some needed ranking points
There are of course many other games to follow in the China Open, with Stephen Henry, Graeme Doot and World Champion John Higgins due to play later in the week
Ding looking to perform at home tournament
March 25, 2008
China’s latest snooker sensation Ding Junhui will be looking to continue his fantastic current form at his home tournament the China Open in March. But a number of excellent players will be looking to upset the home crowds.
Players such as Ronne O’Sullivan, and Stephen Hendry, and defending champion Graeme Dott are now set to join the tournament.
The inclusion of these great players so just how far Chinese snooker has come in the last few years, it is likely more and more competitors will be joining the competition in the near future. This is all great news for the Chinese fans who want to see their home grown players competing against the best players in the world.
Dings success over the last couple of years has greatly improved the popularity of snooker in China, with more and more people watching and participating in the game. This is largely due to Dings recent results against top players in recent matches.
No doubt Ding will have the crowd behind him at his home tournament, one which he will be hoping to win and increase his worldwide snooker status.
Mark Williams Profile
March 24, 2008
Mark williams is known in snooker for his great long ball potting, and was considered the best single ball potter in the game. Recently however williams has been playing poorly, the 2006/2007 was his worst on record and one he will probably want to forget.
Williams has admitted that the birth of his second son has affected his game, as he hasn’t been putting the required amount of hours on the practice tables. Williams however has managed to keep in the worlds top 16, and has higher hopes for the coming world championships.
Only a few years ago Mark ruled the Crucible and became the only left handed player to win the world title. Williams is a very honest player and openly admits hes been rubbish in recent matches, he does however have higher hopes for this years world championships.
- D.O.B – 21st March 1975
- Provisonal Ranking – 29th
- Turned Pro – 1992
- Ranking Tournment Victories -16
- Highest Tournament Break – 147
Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White Final 1994
March 22, 2008
The 1994 World Championship final saw Jimmy White so nearly beat Stephen Hendry in one of the most dramatic finals ever in snooker.
Jimmy or the “Whirlwind” as he is affectionately known was only a few points from winning the tournament after 4 previous failures. The match was very tight with either player never getting more than 2 frames in front of the other.
In the final frames Hendry got to the table but failed to amount a winnable lead, Jimmy stepped up and began clearing the table in a ominous fashion for Hendry. The pressure of the moment however got to crowd favourite Jimmy who missed a straight black. This was pounced upon by an stunned Stephen Hendry who took all the points to win what was a record fourth title win.
Jimmy was gracious in defeat and had played very well all final. At the end of the match Jimmy even jokingly stated “he is beginning to annoy me”. Find the video of the classic moment below.
Stephen Lee Profile
March 20, 2008
Stephen Lee is famous for in many snooker professionals opinion the best cue action of any of the players. Surprisingly though Lee has not won many ranking tournaments since he became a professional player in 1992
Lee managed to reach the quarter final of the 1993 Snooker Grand Prix, and was predicted to win many ranking events in the future. Lee has not quite lived upto these expectations, his progress however in ranking competitions has ensured that he has made it into the worlds top 16 players.
Once problems Lee seems to have is letting winning positions in matches slip, if he learns to finish off matches he could become a much better player
- D.O.B – 12/10/1974
- Provisional Ranking – 21st
- Ranking Tournament Victories – 4
- Highest Tournament break – 144
Snooker Trickshots
March 19, 2008
Although snooker is a professional serious game, the players do take some time out by playing trickshots. Trickshots are spectacular shots, where players show off their ability and knowledge of the tables angles.
Trickshots are one of my favourite fun parts of the game. You can find players performing trickshots to a live audiences before the World Championships at the Crucible, this normally takes part in the Winter Gardens behind the venue.
These trickshots can include the use of equipment, such as baskets to show off how players can chip the ball accurately. I have included a video of trickshots below from 2004 performed by old masters such as Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis for your enjoyment.
Ding Jun Hui Profile
March 18, 2008
Ding Jun Hui became famous in 2002 when he won the Asian under 21 tournaments at the tender age of 15. Ding one of Chinas best snooker players then proved it was not a lucky win by winning the main Asian Championship
Ding was turning out to be a brilliant young player, his skills were further displayed in Feb 2004 where he made his UK Snooker Debut in the masters at Wembley, knocking out Joe Perry. Since then Ding has beaten some great snooker players like Jimmy White and Tony Drago.
Ding highest break was 141 which he made during the Irish masters, and again in the Wembley Masters. Ding originally from China is now based in the UK where he practices with Peter Ebdon, who often speaks about Dings Potential
Still only 21 years old, Ding has the snooker world at his feet.
- Born – Beijing China
- Highest Break – 147
- Provisional Ranking 8th – Chinese no 1
- Turned Pro – 2003
- Ranking Tournament Victories – 3
