Snooker: Recollections of the year 2010
This has been an interesting and exciting year in snooker; it can be labeled as the year when the old and monotonous snooker changed itself.
As anticipated, the chairman of the world snooker Barry Hearn has been successful in turning the status-quo of the sport, by pumping more enthusiasm into it. New sponsors coming forward, some new tournaments and formats being introduced to the game, new
ranking system has been implemented, a lot has happened in snooker this year.
Unfortunately the year will remind us of the betting controversy which involved world number one, John Higgins. WPBSA had imposed a six-month ban on Higgins for bringing disrepute to the game; however John was later found not guilty and was allowed to take
part in the international competitions. Nevertheless, it was a prominent year for snooker with lots of great games, drama and positive steps taken for the betterment of the sport’s health and status.
Top Cue – Neil Robertson
The Australian cueist, Neil Robertson can doubtlessly be declared as player of the year, as he won the world championships in an astounding manner, claiming the top spot in world rankings. Robertson is the first Australian to have won the world snooker championship
titles in modern era. Robertson also scored his career’s maximum break 147 this year, which added a lot to his confidence.
In the beginning of the year, Robertson successfully defended his Grand Prix titles, which now has been changed to ‘world open’. Robertson however failed to reach the final of the UK championship, as he lost the quarter-final at the hands of Shaun Murphy.
Neil claimed the top spot in the world rankings and held it for quite some time, until the bruised Higgins came up in a ravishing manner to reclaim his spot.
Top Match – Mark Selby vs. O’Sullivan
Although the year was full of enthralling and crunch matches, it can be a really close call to declare a match as the year’s best. However, the Masters final which saw Mark Selby avenging his last year’s defeat has a history. Ronnie O’Sullivan was defending
the titles, which he won last year, by defeating Mark Selby in the final match of the event. This year however, Mark came back with a bang to get the better off O’Sullivan and prove him to be the future’s world champion.
O’Sullivan led the match with a score-line of 4-1 and then 9-6, whereas Mark kept himself intact and displayed a great fighting come back, going all the way to win the titles. Not many people can stand the rocket’s rampage but Mark has shown the world that
he is a man of composure, steely nerves and talent.
A blooming year – Barry Hearn
A well known sports enthusiast, Barry had sworn in as the chairman of world professional billiards and snooker association WPBSA earlier this year. He has enjoyed a successful year in the early stages of his tenure.
Barry has done a marvelous job in-order to re-brand the sport and deal with the issues, which made it struggling to maintain its status. Introducing new player’s tour championship PTC events, across Europe and china, he has expanded the snooker calendar
astoundingly.
Barry and Steve Davis are the master minds of the new formats being introduced successfully to the game, ‘power snooker’ and ‘world snooker shoot-outs’. These two new formats are much more exciting and thrilling. This progression will bring a large audience
pool to the game.
An emotional year – John Higgins
This year’s most memorable and dramatic controversy involves John Higgins, as a local newspaper accused John for influencing the outcomes of snooker matches, in exchange for money. Regardless of John’s denial to the accusations, WPBSA imposed a six-month
ban and fined £75,000 to the well-in-form Higgins. John, who stayed off the table for a good half year was enjoying a superb form by winning some titles, early in start of the year.
His fans and snooker critics assumed that he will lose the grip on his astounding form and will consign to the oblivion. However, the case turned out to be unexpectedly pleasant, as Higgins returned in the UK championship after the ban and won the titles,
displaying astonishing snooker skills and talent. Higgins restored the top spot in the world rankings after winning this tournament. Being able to win a major ranking event after surviving the hardest patch of his career, Higgins could not control his emotions
while he raised the second most superior trophy. Having to play just for six months in the year and still be able to occupy the top spot is an achievement which will delight Higgins in the years to come.
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