2011 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship: Top Nominees for World Championship - Part One
The 2011 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship is just a day away and the players are sharpening their cues for the ultimate goal of grabbing the most prestigious title of the game. Hopes are high and there will be a classy game-play at the Crucible Theatre
in Sheffield from Saturday, the 16th of April to Monday, the 2nd of May.
The following are the potential top contenders for the World Snooker Championship title because of their ability to play outstanding snooker.
John Higgins
World number one, John Higgins has sprung back brilliantly after the German Masters, where he had to withdraw because of his beloved father’s death, and has been on top of his game winning the Welsh Open beating Stephen Maguire 9-6. Though the three-time
world champion faced a six-month ban earlier in the season, yet he bounced back tremendously afterwards and clinched two ranking titles, the UK Championship 2010 and the Wyldecrest Park Welsh Open 2011.
He will meet the man he defeated in the first round of 12Bet.com UK Championship 2010 by 9-6, Stephen Lee, in the first round of the world championship.
Stephen Hendry
The Scottish cueist, Stephen Hendry, is on the top as he has grabbed a record seven world championship titles in Sheffield. He still has the potential to grab the trophy if he shows his old magic of steady break-building.
The 42-year-old is drawn against Joe Perry of England in the first round. Hendry and Perry have gone head-to-head two times before, in the first rounds of Euro Players Tour Championship Event 4 and Wyldecrest Park Homes Welsh Open 2011. Hendry lost in the
first but he whitewashed Joe Perry in the second clash. If he wins to Perry in the championship, he will probably face Mark Selby in the next round.
Mark Selby
Selby is famous for his consistency in the play and he can be a strong competitor in the event. Selby has reached to the final of two ranking events of 2011, German Masters and China Open. Though he lost in both of them, yet he played brilliantly in the
matches.
He is meeting his compatriot Jimmy Robertson to play a potential second-round match against Stephen Hendry and a next potential quarter-final with the Chinese Sensation, Ding Junhui.
Ronnie O’Sullivan
Nobody would disagree with the classy stardom, rapid potting display and ability of Ronnie O’Sullivan to grab the title. He is still struggling with his performance as he has crashed in a couple of first rounds of ranking tournaments as well as he withdrew
from the German Masters 2011 due to his personal problems. He has already given hints about his retirement a couple of times already but still he can be a fire on the occasion if he gets back to his snooker skills.
The former world champion is famous for his furious tactical playing style which makes him quite distinguish from other players. He holds the record of the fastest maximum break of 147 in the world of snooker. He will face the Welshman, Dominic Dale in the
first round and if he goes through, he will meet the world number one John Higgins in a potential quarter-final clash which will be a ‘must watch’ match.
Article Continued in part 2 of 2011 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship 2011: Top Nominees for World Championship.
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