Showing posts with label Wembley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wembley. Show all posts

1/22/2007

The Rocket crush Ding Junhui in the Masters final at Wembley


Ronnie O'Sullivan produced a vintage display of snooker to crush Ding Junhui 10-3 in the Masters final at Wembley.

There were doubts over the troubled star's participation at the prestigious invitational event after he was widely criticised after walking out of his quarter-final against Stephen Hendry in last month's UK Championship in York.

But the 31-year-old silenced the critics with a resounding victory over the Chinese teenager in which he scored four century breaks.

The 19-year-old took a 2-0 lead with runs of 77 and 109.

But then the Essex star took control, winning four frames in a row thanks to breaks of 55, 99, 128 and 101.

Ding pulled one back by edging a tight seventh frame only for O'Sullivan to hold a 5-3 lead after a fascinating afternoon session following a 116 break.

And the two-time world champion was unstoppable in the evening with a 96 break followed by a 65 clearance to snatch frame ten.

The Rocket was well on his way to his third Masters title, following his victories in 1995 and 2005, when he hammered home a 143 break in frame 11 and following runs of 48 and 49 in frame 12, Ding left the arena with his opponent consoling the visibly upset provisional world number five.

But things got no better for the youngster as O'Sullivan wrapped up victory in quick time before receiving the trophy from Steve Davis.

Ding, who appeared upset by remarks from a member of the audience, said: "I thought he had won the ninth frame of 17 and the match was over.

"It is very different to events like the China Open because the fans go in groups and I felt very alone here. I was a bit annoyed with the man's comments because I couldn't concentrate."

O'Sullivan said: "Ding is one of the rarest talents that I have seen and there is no doubt in my mind that he will become a multiple winner."

1/15/2007

147 at 19 , Ding Junhui


Ding Junhui became the youngest player to score a maximum 147 break live on television on Sunday, beating the previous record set by Ronnie O'Sullivan by almost three years.

The Chinese player, aged 19 years and nine months, set the record as he swept aside fellow wildcard entry Anthony Hamilton 6-3 on the first day of the Masters Tournament.

There have been 27 other televised maximum breaks in the history of the sport, the first going back to 1982 when Briton Steve Davis achieved the feat.

"I didn't realise I was the youngest and I am very happy to go into the record books for the youngest scorer of a 147 break - I am feeling really special," Ding said.

"I felt the nerves on the last red to the middle pocket and the final black."

O'Sullivan scored his televised 147 at the world championships in 1997 when he was 22.

Source: Eurosport

1/11/2007

Ronnie O'Sullivan is ready

The star met World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker on Wednesday to discuss his actions at York's Barbican Centre.

A spokesman for the governing body described as the meeting as "informal talks, not a disciplinary hearing".

And Walker told Five Live: "I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch with (Ronnie) today. He was relaxed and happy and I think is looking forward to doing as well as he can at the Masters.

"As chairman of World Snooker, I very much see Ronnie O'Sullivan as being an important part of the future."

O'Sullivan added another chapter to his controversial career by walking out while trailing 4-1 to Stephen Hendry in the UK Championship quarter-finals last month.

He later apologised through Doyle's 110sport Management company, but may still face disciplinary action by World Snooker.

Walker told Five Live he will write to the disciplinary committee on O'Sullivan's behalf.

More: BBCSport/snooker

12/26/2006

Crucible highs and lows in 2006

It's been a rollercoaster ride of drama and emotion at this year's World Snooker Championship.

So we asked celebrities, fans and our users to pick out their highs, lows and their most memorable moments from the last two weeks at The Crucible.


Dennis Taylor, BBC commentator, at The Crucible

Simon Hickman, from Dudley, at The Crucible

Q-double-T-P from the 606 messageboards

Alex Ananstasiou, aged 14, Derby, at The Crucible

Sonny Varma, from Nottingham, at The Crucible

Wildsnooker_loopy from the 606 messageboards

Former England cricketer Jack Russell painting The Crucible stage

More on BBC/Snooker

12/18/2006

The 2007 SAGA Insurance Masters Snooker


The 2007 SAGA Insurance Masters Snooker comes to Wembley Arena. Masters Snooker has been staged at Wembley since 1975 however after loosing its traditional home at the Conference Centre last year it makes the short journey across the road to Wembley Arena.

Last year’s tournament was a thrilling event with John Higgins finally winning the title in a dramatic 10-9 victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan. The world’s top 16 players qualify automatically, including the likes of Higgins, O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, Steve Davis and 888.com World Champion Graeme Dott.

However, this year the usual two wildcards are increased to three with the hugely popular Jimmy White being awarded one, Ding Junhui confirmed as the second and the third being Stuart Bingham.