Barry Hawkins ousts Mark Selby in round 1 of 2012 World Snooker Championship
Spectators present at the Crucible Theatre arena in Sheffield witness another major upset when the winner of the 2012 Snooker Shootout, England’s Barry Hawkins made a superb run against the World Number one and winner of the 2011 Shanghai Masters, compatriot
Mark Selby by the score line of 10-3. Due to his neck injury, Selby was not able to play up to the mark and slipped down.
The 2011 Wuxi Classic snooker tournament winner suffered from neck injury while he was playing in the 2012 China Open snooker event when he was due to play against the Chinese potter Ding Junhui. Because of his neck problem, the Jester from Leicester had
to pull out of the tournament.
There were doubts about his presence at the World Snooker Championship but the Englishman decided to play in the tournament despite his health issues.
Hawkins was confident of beating the World Number one before he came into the arena. Despite the fact that he was not so superb at the baize during his season run, Hawkins played sensibly in the game and clinched early lead to put Selby under immense pressure.
At the end of the first day proceedings, the Hawk was leading by 6-3 over the Leicester cueman.
Selby could not clinch any frame in the second session and tumbled down by the score line of 10-3 after Hawkins hit four consecutive set wins to steal the show.
While speaking to World Snooker after his match, Hawkins said, “When the draw came out people were saying that Mark had a bad neck and might be pulling out, but I just had to prepare properly and make sure I concentrated on my game. I played well in patches.”
The Snooker Shootout winner added, “A lot of top players are going out but that just shows how high the standard is and the fact that the qualifiers are not scared of them.”
Hawkins has now set up the second round match against the Welsh Dragon, Matthew Stevens at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The clash is going to be quite interesting as both potters have a lot of confidence after winning their first round clashes.
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