There wasn’t a lot of snooker to follow over the last seven days but there’s still plenty to talk about as we review the week gone by.
The Hawk Flies in Furth
Barry Hawkins collected his first piece of silverware in 2019 after a dramatic 4-3 victory over reigning champion Kyren Wilson helped him to the Paul Hunter Classic title.
Much has already been made about the current state of the Paul Hunter Classic, with most people not overly pleased with its severe downgrading.
Tournament director and top referee Paul Collier did allude to the possibility of an improved format in the tournament’s future, but in general World Snooker has been extremely tight-lipped about the negotiations in Germany.
In any case, Hawkins turned up and did the job as he added his name to an illustrious roll of honour list that also includes the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Mark Allen, and Shaun Murphy.
Moroccan Tour Card
It was reported earlier in the week that Amiri Amine of Morocco walked away with the first ever men’s gold medal for snooker at the African Games.
Well, the good news continues because on the back of that success in Casablanca, Amine has been granted with a two-year Main Tour card.
Nominated by the African Billiards and Snooker Confederation, Amine will be able to take up his place on the circuit immediately for this season and the next.
Yuan Scores Title in China
Rising young talent Yuan Sijun captured a maiden title on the CBSA China Tour with victory in Hoizhou.
Promoted by Liang Wenbo and with a presentation party that included Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Marco Fu, there was quite an air of prestige as Yuan captured the national title.
Yuan, who beat Pang Junxu 5-2 in the title decider, has risen to a ranking position of just outside the top 50 in only two years competing on the Main Tour.
The 19 year-old won the Asian Under-21 Championship in 2017 and is widely tipped as being a star of the future.
Following Yan Bingtao’s recent triumph in the Riga Masters, Yuan has set his sights on joining his compatriot in the exclusive ranking event winners’ list this campaign.
Haunted Holt Critiques Career
A very interesting article in the Metro penned by Phil Haigh – who, in general, has been covering snooker well in recent months – was doing the rounds on social media earlier this week.
In a wide-ranging interview with the “Hitman”, Holt openly admits to his underachievement in the game.
It’s an enlightening piece and refreshing to see a player break from the norm by giving a true and honest assessment of his career so far.
Loved doing this interview with @hitmanholt
Amazing, if brutal, assessment of his career as a ‘solid journeyman’ in snooker.
Also, brilliant ideas about how to help younger players in the game.#snooker @WorldSnooker https://t.co/LHxqhvqZwE
— Phil Haigh (@philhaigh_) August 28, 2019
What’s Coming?
If you’re hoping for a big ranking event then think again, because we won’t have one of those for practically another month.
Instead, there’s the Six Red World Championship in Thailand next week, with the likes of Kyren Wilson, Ding Junhui, and Jimmy White in action.
Before that, the Challenge Tour gets its second season under way this weekend with the first event of ten being staged in Germany.
