Stephen Hendry snooker blog
Posts tagged Jimmy White
Ronnie O’Sullivan crowned Power Snooker champion
0463 days
by Ismail Vedat
in Uncategorized
Surprise surprise, Ronnie O’Sullivan became the first winner of Power Snooker, and were we expecting anything less?
Power Snooker launched last Saturday, and the format of the game was only going to suit one man. The 20-second shot clock encourages quick-fire play and becomes all about the player’s potting. It was snooker as you’ve never seen it before, and it certainly delighted O’Sullivan at the end of it.
The Rocket pocketed the first-prize of £35,000 after beating Luca Brecel in his first match, Ali Carter in the semi-final and Ding Junhui in the final. Where points counted instead of frames, O’Sullivan only played 90 minutes. Not bad for a day’s work then.
“Finally snooker has come into the 21st century,” said O’Sullivan. “We’ve been kicking behind for a few years while everyone else has been going forward. Power Snooker is a new format that is definitely here to stay.”
Power Snooker was created in a bid to change the face of snooker, with the crowd getting involved with the game, shouting out on shots and counting down when time elapses. The players walked on with their own choice of music, accompanied with the Power Girls, and looked to be having fun. Think of it like darts, but instead of a dartboard picture a snooker table.
The crowd certainly enjoyed watching the likes of O’Sullivan, the Whirlwind Jimmy White and the reigning world champion Neil Robertson demonstrate their exceptional potting abilities, and moving around the table rapidly to play their shots in time. The potting of the Power Ball – which triggers a two-minute power play where points are doubled – was a treat for the audience and got them fully involved.
But there have to be at least some doubts about the new format.
If Power Snooker makes a return then it must have done something right. Rod Gunner, its creator, is hoping it will revive the sport, but from first impressions it just seemed like a bit of fun. Snooker is always played to crowds who give maximum respect to whoever is playing, and it was quite out of place for someone in the crowd to be calling out just when a player was about to play a shot.
It works for darts, because the players are used to it, and it has to work for football, but trying to encourage this for snooker, a sport that requires full concentration, doesn’t work at all.
Obviously O’Sullivan is glad to see something like this, as he’s been crying out for snooker to be changed for a long time. The traditionalists may not have been impressed, and would think that if snooker needed a facelift, this was not the way to do it.
The rules were just complicated with so many points being accumulated by the players. Even the referees were struggling to keep up and relied on the scoreboard for the majority of the games. A twist on the rules didn’t work, and Power Snooker is just going to be used as a time to put on a show for the punters.
For those who are worried about this kind of format taking over from regular snooker, worry not, as it won’t catch on.
Power Snooker ready for switch on
0467 days
by Ismail Vedat
in Uncategorized
Snooker has been undergoing a major transformation over the past few months, and the arrival of Power Snooker is the latest attempt to change the face of the game.
Since Barry Hearn gained control of World Snooker by becoming chairman last year, he has introduced more ranking tournaments and more prize money, and the players are much happier than they have been in recent years.
Viewing figures however have dropped over the last 20 years, and the creators of Power Snooker, Rod Gunner and Ed Simmons, believe their idea can be a success. Not since the epic 1985 world championship final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis that was decided on the black has snooker enjoyed such high viewing figures, that final pulling in 18.5million viewers.
Power Snooker is hoped to do to snooker what Twenty20 has done for cricket, and the rules of the game are a change from the norm. Games will last 30 minutes and points will count rather than frames. There will be nine reds, rather than the usual 15, and they will be arranged in a diamond, not a rack.
The middle red will be the Power Ball, and when potted this will trigger a two-minute power play with any balls potted counting as double points. The players will also play against a 20-second shot clock.
The event will be full of glitz and glamour, and the players will also have a microphone attached to them so the audience can hear every word they say.
The format may not be to the liking of the traditionalists, but the quick-fire play that will be on show will suit one man. The Rocket, Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The three-time world champion is one of eight players to be playing at London’s Indigo2 Arena on Saturday. O’Sullivan has a match against 15-year old Belgian champion Luca Brecel. The inclusion of the wonder-kid is what Gunner wants the competition to be all about. “Luca is a young precocious talent and the young generation adapts to new rules very quickly,” said Gunner. “I firmly believe that sport is entertainment. Snooker has been stagnating and young people today want energy and instant gratification.”
O’Sullivan is the favourite to land the £35,000 first prize, and he is looking forward to playing in it. “Hopefully, it suits my game better than the others,” he said. “It’s difficult to make predictions but it’s going to be an exciting event to watch. It will show snooker in a different light and the sport desperately needs that.”
In the other games, reigning world champion Neil Robertson takes on current Premier League champion Shaun Murphy. Masters champion Mark Selby takes on Shanghai Masters winner Ali Carter, and the Whirlwind Jimmy White is up against UK champion Ding Junhui.
Whether Power Snooker is a success or not, all eyes will be on O’Sullivan to deliver.
Ronnie O’Sullivan drawn against Luca Brecel in Power Snooker
0482 days
by Ismail Vedat
in Uncategorized
Ronnie O’Sullivan will take on 15-year old wonderkid Luca Brecel in the brand-new format Power Snooker at the end of this month at the Indigo2 Arena.
The three-time world champion has been pitted against the Belgian in a highly-anticipated tournament that has been dubbed the Twenty20 of snooker, and is expected to change the face of the sport.
“I was hoping to get one of the more well-known lads as I don’t think Power Snooker will suit them,” said O’Sullivan. “Luca is a real wildcard and I think he will be waiting to put me on my backside.”
Brecel, the Belgian champion, is excited at the prospect of playing the Rocket. “I was delighted to be one of the eight players to get into Power Snooker, and to go head to head with Ronnie is fantastic.
“This is not traditional snooker, this is a real shoot out and I think I can beat Ronnie. Power Snooker is a young man’s game,” he added.
Games in Power Snooker will last 30 minutes and points will count rather than frames. A diamond rack will replace the triangle set of reds, with only eight reds and a golden ball included. If a player pots the golden ball, it will trigger a two-minute power play which any points that are scored are doubled. There is also a 20-second shot clock.
The draw has also thrown up some exciting matches, with reigning world champion Neil Robertson taking on current Premier League champion Shaun Murphy, the Whirlwind Jimmy White against UK champion Ding Junhui, and current Masters champion Mark Selby against Shanghai Masters champion Ali Carter.
Ronnie O’Sullivan wins to set up Stephen Hendry clash
0502 days
by Ismail Vedat
in Uncategorized
Three-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Jimmy White 3-1 to reach the last 16 of the snooker World Open in Glasgow.
After the madness of his refusal to pot the black for the 147 maximum on Monday, O’Sullivan missed easy balls in the opening frame today, presenting chances to White. However, the six-time world finalist looked nervous and couldn’t capitalise, allowing O’Sullivan took the lead.
The Rocket punished a miss from White to double his lead, rapidly clearing the table. White responded in the third frame in great style, knocking in a break of 88 to make the score 2-1.
White was playing some fantastic stuff, and he should have taken the match to a deciding frame, but after he missed a red into the right-middle pocket while on a break of 56, O’Sullivan took control and in typical fashion he cleared the table to set up a clash with Stephen Hendry in the next round.
“It’s great to play against Jimmy because he’s good to watch,” said O’Sullivan to BBC Sport. “But it’s unfortunate for him that he’s good to watch – it means you concentrate throughout rather than switching off. He started nervously but that’s only to be expected when you haven’t reached the latter stages of a tournament for a while. When I missed I got away with it.
“Then he got his rhythm and didn’t look like he wouldn’t miss. When he plays like that he’s still a top eight player. It was nice to play in front of a packed audience but I lost my rhythm a bit and it was tough. At one stage I struggled to even pot a red and black.
“I don’t like seeing Jimmy lose even if it me that is beating him but you have to go out to try to win the match. You need to treat jimmy like any opponent but he was my role-model and I love him,” added O’Sullivan.
Snooker World Open draw produces some cracking showdowns
0502 days
by Ismail Vedat
in Uncategorized
The draw for the last 16 of the snooker World Open in Glasgow was made last night, and the stand-out tie will be Stephen Hendry taking on either Ronnie O’Sullivan or Jimmy White.
The seven-time world champion will find out who his opponent will be today as O’Sullivan and White do battle.
All eyes will be on O’Sullivan after his 147 maximum break madness on Monday, where he refused to pot the final black after being told there was no extra prize-money available. The talk off the table has been about O’Sullivan wanting to have a bit of fun rather than protest about the money. Once again, the Rocket has spoken about quitting the game after speaking with World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn.
O’Sullivan’s focus must be on the table today, as White will be up for the battle as he is enjoying playing in front of the television cameras once again thanks to strong performances. A world finalist six times, White has found his love for snooker again, partly due to competing in the TV hit series I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here last year.
Even though it is the first to three frames, a match which sees the Rocket against the Whirlwind will produce fireworks, and the reward for one of these players is a match against the most successful player of all time.
Stephen Maguire’s win over Judd Trump enabled him to set up an all-Scottish affair with Alan McManus in the last 16. Maguire edged out Trump 3-2 last night, while McManus also won 3-2 against Matthew Stevens.
Another Scottish player Marcus Campbell beat Mike Dunn 3-1 in the previous round, but he will have a tough match on his hands against the reigning UK champion Ding Junhui, who has looked impressive so far in this event, dispatching Jimmy Michie comfortably 3-1.
Barry Hawkins has been the surprise package of the World Open. He stunned the current Masters champion Mark Selby in the first round, and continued his good form by beating 1997 world champion Ken Doherty yesterday. He is full of confidence, but so is his next opponent, Mark Williams.
The Welshman has been in scintillating form in the last few weeks. He beat Selby in the Premier league, and defeated recently-crowned Shanghai Masters champion Ali Carter 3-1 here in the last round. Many didn’t expect Hawkins to get this far, but it could be the end for him as Williams is playing extremely well at the moment.
Peter Ebdon has been quietly going about his business, and he will take on Liu Song in the last 16. Ebdon lost his place in the top-16 rankings last season for the first time in 16 years, but wins over Steve Davis and Fergal O’Brien are exactly what he needed to try and get the place back.
Jamie Cope will play Ricky Walden, while Stephen Lee takes on Martin Gould, who was a 3-0 winner over Matthew Couch last night.
Reigning world champion Neil Robertson has yet to play at his best, but he is doing enough, and a match against either Marco Fu or Andrew Higginson awaits the Australian.
White left feeling sick after Masters exit
0757 days
by Rob Swan
in Uncategorized
Jimmy White conceded he was “sickened” after being knocked out of the Masters first round by Mark King last night.
The 47-year-old wildcard was determined to make a big impression following his stint in the Australian jungle for the ITV1 show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, but must have wished he’d stayed in Oz after his abject performance.
The likes of Rolling Stones superstar Ronnie Wood and King of the Jungle Gino D’Acampo had travelled to Wembley Arena to cheer on the Whirlwind; but the event itself proved a huge anti-climax for White’s supporters as he was comprehensively beaten 6-2.
The 1984 Masters champion entered the arena to Money for Nothing by Dire Straits (a reference to the £65,000 to £100,000 he reportedly picked up for entering the Australian jungle, perhaps) in front of a vocal crowd of 1,368 – the majority of whom were fully behind the snooker idol. However, it was his opponent who made the biggest impression on the night – if not for his performance, then certainly for his hugely entertaining, but slightly cringe worthy, entrance.
King’s chosen track, hip-hop anthem You Can Do It by Ice Cube, might not have gone down too well with one or two of the more old-fashioned spectators inside Wembley; but it appeared to rouse the 35-year-old, who came out dancing as if he were the Californian rapper himself – or rather, an embarrassing uncle at a wedding.
Once the laughter had died down, King soon began to believe Ice Cube’s words, and started the first frame strongly.
Despite the backing of the crowd, White never truly got going and struggled to keep control of the cue ball. Once King had racked up breaks of 56, 64 and 85 to seal five of the six frames needed to take victory, his opponent appeared to know his fate was all but sealed.
The current World No. 16, King, duly took the eighth frame to secure a comfortable 6-2 win, and White couldn’t hide his disappointment at the outcome once the match had ended.
“It was woeful. It was sickening to play like that,” a frustrated White told BBC Radio 5 live.
“It’s not like I didn’t have any chances – I had loads of chances, I had chances every game. But it was a great atmosphere, I think Barry Hearn will do great for the game.
“It’s just a bit frustrating to play like that with the way I’m playing in practice.”
A disappointing and premature exit from the prestigious tournament for White and his local supporters, then, but a great start in terms of entertainment value for a sport that is undergoing somewhat of an overhaul at present.
Rob Swan
In honour of the Beckham of the Baize
0761 days
by Elisabeth
in Uncategorized
Paul Hunter, who died at age 27 in 2006, had almost become a symbol of The Masters tournament in recent years. Hunter lifted the Masters trophy in 2001, 2002 and 2004 and was on top of his career when it was abruptly ended.
He provided the spectators with great excitement as in all finals he came back after having trailed, winning 10-9. A lot of fans and other players were convinced that he would soon win the World Championship. But the battle against cancer became too hard.
A few months after Paul Hunter’s death, Jimmy White, who survived testicular cancer in 1995, suggested the Masters trophy should be renamed after Hunter. His widow, Lindsey Hunter expressed her approval for the trophy to be named the Paul Hunter Trophy.
However, World Snooker thought differently and decided against it. Instead the 2007 German Open pro-am was given the name Paul Hunter Classic. A scholarship with Hunter’s name on it was also created with the motivation that it was a more fitting tribute. The aim of the scholarship is to help a talented young player aged between 16 and 21 get elite training at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield to accomplish his goals. Saga Insurance, the sponsor of The Masters, helped with the funding. They donated 50 pounds to the scholarship for every break over 50 points at The Masters.
The Paul Hunter Foundation was also set up by Lindsey in the memory of her husband. It will provide disabled and disadvantaged children with a chance to play snooker. The Newcomer of the Year award that is administered by the Snooker Writer’s Association was also renamed in honour of Hunter.
Hunter was one of the most loved players on the professional tour. He was one of the players who was most responsible for the great popularity of The Masters tournament. Hunter had his whole life ahead of him but sadly we will never know how far he could really go. Hopefully a recipient of the Paul Hunter Scholarship will soon pass on his legacy in The Masters.
Slimmed down White looks forward to Masters
0764 days
by admin
in Uncategorized
Snooker legend Jimmy White expects to enter the Masters in better physical shape than in recent years, all because of his stint in the Australian jungle for the ITV1 hit show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The 47-year-old has revealed that he lost weight during his three weeks on the programme, and expects to feel the benefits at next week’s prestigious tournament.
“I lost 22lb and that will be a real benefit to me in my snooker,” explained the 1984 Masters champion.
“Before there were some shots that I couldn’t reach.
“I’ve always been one of the best players with the rest but I’d rather be able to reach the shot without it.”
The Whirlwind was handed a wildcard for the event at Wembley Arena after missing the UK Championship as a result of his appearance on I’m a Celebrity… and admits that he missed the sport during his absence from Britain and can’t wait to return to action.
“I was thinking about snooker a lot and I was gutted to miss the UK,” White added.
“In one of the trials I had to do there was a snooker ball and that brought all the memories flooding back.”
He will meet world No. 16 Mark King in the opening round of the competition and is confident of beating his opponent if he finds his best form. Meanwhile, it’s expected that White’s appearance will generate a lively atmosphere inside the arena – something which the six-time World Championship finalist is very much looking forward to.
“I’ve always had great support from the crowds at Wembley so I’m looking forward to getting back there and enjoying that,” White said.
“King is a tough competitor but if my game is there I can beat him.”
White and King’s hotly anticipated match will take place on Sunday evening at 7pm. The winner will then advance to Round 2 of the tournament, where they will face the victor of the other Round 1 match between Mark Williams and Rory McLeod.
Rob Swan
The Whirlwind bags a wild card
0782 days
by Elisabeth
in Uncategorized
A few weeks ago Rory McLeod, who reached the last 32 in this year’s UK Championship, won the whole Masters Qualifying Event and received a wild card to the Masters tournament at Wembley next year.
The second wild card was announced today. Jimmy White, who won both the World Series of Snooker in Prague and the Sangsom 6-Red Grand Prix earlier this year, has been chosen by World Snooker. White gave up his place in the UK Championship qualifiers to join the reality tv show, I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here, where he finished third.
The Masters is an invitational tournament where the world’s 14 best players are automatically qualified for the last 16 stage while those in spots 15 and 16 will have to go through a round against the wild cards. McLeod will play against Mark Williams and White will take on Mark King on Sunday 10th January 2010.
One of the favourites to get the Masters wild card this year before White was announced was this year’s Shanghai Master’s finalist, Liang Wenbo. However, World Snooker picked White because of his immense popularity among snooker fans, especially in London where the tournament is going to be held.
Jimmy White won the Masters in 1984 9-5 against Terry Griffiths.