Barry Hawkins
Encyclopedia
Barry Hawkins is an English
professional snooker
player. He has reached three ranking semi-finals, and spent five seasons inside the top 32 of the rankings. He has also played in the World Championship the last six years running.
, having reached the semi-finals of 2005's Welsh Open
, as well as the last sixteen of three other tournaments.
, he reached the semi-finals of the Grand Prix
and the Welsh Open again, and also beat the high-ranked Ding Junhui
to qualify for the World Championship
for the first time. This cemented Hawkins' place in the Top 16 of the rankings for the 2006/2007 season
.
At the World Championship in Sheffield
, however, Hawkins faced former Champion Ken Doherty
in the first round, and in the intimidating Crucible Theatre
lost 10–1. He told the BBC
that "I just couldn't perform and I don't know why... I'm gutted after such a good season to have performed like that."
, when he reached the semi-finals, again beating Ding along the way. He had one foot in his first final against Jamie Cope
in the semi final, but Cope was able to obtain the snookers he needed to stay in the match and went on to win 6–5.
A first-round defeat to Fergal O'Brien
at the World Championship cost him his Top 16 place, and left him outside the Top 32 on the single-year rankings
.
Early in the 2007/2008 season, Hawkins won the qualifying tournament for the 2008 SAGA Insurance Masters
, beating Kurt Maflin
. He won five other matches, also beating top-32 players Nigel Bond
and Jamie Cope
. He also reached the last 16 at the Grand Prix
, UK Championship
and China Open
.
He started the 2008/2009 season with a quarter-final appearance at the 2008 Northern Ireland Trophy
, by beating Jimmy White
5–3, Marco Fu
5–2 and Ryan Day
5–3 where he played Ronnie O'Sullivan
, losing 5–4 after producing a brave fightback from 4–1 to level at 4–4. He then won at least his opening match in the next four ranking events, reaching the provisional top 16. He did not qualify for the events in Wales and China, but made it to the World Championship by beating Daniel Wells
10–9, but lost in the first round, finishing one place short of a return to the top 16.
From 2006-2010, Hawkins's record at the World Championship was unsuccessful, with a win–loss record of 0–5. As well as the aforementioned one-sided defeat to Doherty, Hawkins narrowly lost in the first round the following two years as well, to Fergal O'Brien
and Ali Carter respectively. Coincidentally, on both occasions Hawkins lost by very close 10–9 defeats, having recovered from 9–6 behind each time. In 2009 Hawkins missed out on a chance to take his match with former champion Graeme Dott
to a deciding frame, and lost 10–8. The following year, Hawkins led defending champion John Higgins 5–3 before Higgins won seven of the next eight frames to progress.
(formerly the Grand Prix) in defeating Mark Selby
(3–2) as well as former World Champion Ken Doherty
(3–1) before losing 3–2 to Mark Williams
.
Hawkins qualified for the World Championship
for the sixth year running, where he was drawn against Stephen Maguire
in the first round. Having never won a match at the Crucible before, Hawkins led Maguire 4-0, 5-1, 6-2 and 8-4 before seeing Maguire level the match at 8-8 and then 9-9. However, Hawkins held his nerve in the deciding frame to finally end his losing run at the World Championship. In the second round, Hawkins was defeated 13-12 by world #11 Mark Allen
.
, Hawkins normally plays snooker left-handed. However, he plays shots requiring a with his right hand.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player. He has reached three ranking semi-finals, and spent five seasons inside the top 32 of the rankings. He has also played in the World Championship the last six years running.
Early career
Before taking up snooker professionally he was an office clerk. He reached the Top 32 in the rankings in 2004/2005Snooker world rankings 2004/2005
Snooker world rankings 2004/2005: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 2004/2005 season are listed below. This was Chris Small's only top 16 season, and Paul Hunter's only appearance in the top 4.-References:...
, having reached the semi-finals of 2005's Welsh Open
Welsh Open (snooker)
The Welsh Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It replaced the Welsh Professional Championship, which started in 1980 and was only open to Welsh players.- History :...
, as well as the last sixteen of three other tournaments.
2005/2006
In 2005/2006Snooker season 2005/2006
The snooker season 2005/06 was a series of snooker tournaments played during 2005 and 2006. The following table outlines the results and dates for the ranking and major invitational events that took place.-Calendar:- Official rankings :...
, he reached the semi-finals of the Grand Prix
Grand Prix (snooker)
The World Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It has previously been known as the Professional Players Tournament, the LG Cup and the Grand Prix. During 2006 and 2007, it was played in a unique round-robin format, more similar to association football and rugby tournaments than the...
and the Welsh Open again, and also beat the high-ranked Ding Junhui
Ding Junhui
Ding Junhui is a Chinese professional snooker player. Ding Junhui is China's most successful player ever, having become only the second teenager, after John Higgins, to win three ranking titles...
to qualify for the World Championship
World Snooker Championship
The World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England...
for the first time. This cemented Hawkins' place in the Top 16 of the rankings for the 2006/2007 season
Snooker world rankings 2006/2007
Snooker world rankings 2006/2007: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 2006/2007 season are listed below.-Notes:...
.
At the World Championship in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, however, Hawkins faced former Champion Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
in the first round, and in the intimidating Crucible Theatre
Crucible Theatre
The Crucible Theatre is a theatre built in 1971 and located in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. As well as theatrical performances, it is home to the most important event in professional snooker, the World Snooker Championship....
lost 10–1. He told the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
that "I just couldn't perform and I don't know why... I'm gutted after such a good season to have performed like that."
2006–2009
The 2006/2007 season saw Hawkins disappointed following two strong seasons. He reached the final of the non-ranking Kilkenny Irish Masters, however his only run past the last 16 in a ranking event was at the China OpenChina Open (snooker)
The China Open is a professional snooker tournament. It is one of a number of ranking tournaments and began in 1997.-History:The first international snooker tournament in China was the China International in September 1997, a non-ranking tournament for the top 16 players and local players. The...
, when he reached the semi-finals, again beating Ding along the way. He had one foot in his first final against Jamie Cope
Jamie Cope
-External links:***...
in the semi final, but Cope was able to obtain the snookers he needed to stay in the match and went on to win 6–5.
A first-round defeat to Fergal O'Brien
Fergal O'Brien
Fergal O'Brien is an Irish professional snooker player. He has won one ranking title and reached two other major finals, and spent three seasons as a top 16 player.-Career:...
at the World Championship cost him his Top 16 place, and left him outside the Top 32 on the single-year rankings
Snooker world rankings
The snooker world rankings are the official system of ranking professional snooker players to determine automatic qualification and seeding for tournaments on the World Snooker Tour. They are maintained by the sport's governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association...
.
Early in the 2007/2008 season, Hawkins won the qualifying tournament for the 2008 SAGA Insurance Masters
2008 Masters Snooker
-Final:-Qualifying:The 2007 Masters Qualifying Event were held between 7 September and 12 September 2007 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield...
, beating Kurt Maflin
Kurt Maflin
Kurt Maflin , is a Norwegian professional snooker player.-Career:He began playing snooker at the age of four, achieving a high break of 25 by the time he was five. He increased his time spent at the table practising...
. He won five other matches, also beating top-32 players Nigel Bond
Nigel Bond
-External links:*...
and Jamie Cope
Jamie Cope
-External links:***...
. He also reached the last 16 at the Grand Prix
Grand Prix 2007 (snooker)
The 2007 Royal London Watches Grand Prix professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 13 and 21 October 2007 at the A.E.C.C., Aberdeen, Scotland.Marco Fu won in the final 9-6 against Ronnie O'Sullivan.-Prize fund:*Winner: £75,000...
, UK Championship
2007 UK Snooker Championship
The 2007 Maplin UK Championship professional ranking snooker tournament was held between 8 and 16 December 2007 at the Telford International Centre, Telford, England....
and China Open
China Open 2008 (snooker)
The 2008 Honghe Industrial China Open professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 24 and 30 March 2008 at the Beijing University Students Gymnasium...
.
He started the 2008/2009 season with a quarter-final appearance at the 2008 Northern Ireland Trophy
2008 Northern Ireland Trophy
The 2008 Northern Ireland Trophy professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 24 and 31 August 2008 in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast....
, by beating Jimmy White
Jimmy White
James Warren "Jimmy" White MBE is an English professional snooker player. Nicknamed the "Whirlwind" and popularly referred to as the "People's Champion", White is a multiple World Championship finalist renowned for losing each of the six finals he contested.White's extensive list of achievements,...
5–3, Marco Fu
Marco Fu
Marco Fu Ka-chun , commonly known as Marco Fu, is a professional snooker player from Hong Kong. He currently resides in Happy Valley. He is best known for winning the 2007 Grand Prix, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final, and for being runner-up in the 2008 UK Championship...
5–2 and Ryan Day
Ryan Day
-External links:* * *...
5–3 where he played Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan , is an English professional snooker player known for his rapid playing style and nicknamed "The Rocket". He has been World Champion on three occasions , and is second on the all-time prize-money list, with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen...
, losing 5–4 after producing a brave fightback from 4–1 to level at 4–4. He then won at least his opening match in the next four ranking events, reaching the provisional top 16. He did not qualify for the events in Wales and China, but made it to the World Championship by beating Daniel Wells
Daniel Wells (snooker player)
Daniel Wells is a Welsh professional snooker player, from Neath.-Early career:He was awarded the inaugural Paul Hunter Scholarship. This gave him the chance to practise in the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield, alongside professional players, such as Peter Ebdon and Ding Junhui.He first qualified...
10–9, but lost in the first round, finishing one place short of a return to the top 16.
From 2006-2010, Hawkins's record at the World Championship was unsuccessful, with a win–loss record of 0–5. As well as the aforementioned one-sided defeat to Doherty, Hawkins narrowly lost in the first round the following two years as well, to Fergal O'Brien
Fergal O'Brien
Fergal O'Brien is an Irish professional snooker player. He has won one ranking title and reached two other major finals, and spent three seasons as a top 16 player.-Career:...
and Ali Carter respectively. Coincidentally, on both occasions Hawkins lost by very close 10–9 defeats, having recovered from 9–6 behind each time. In 2009 Hawkins missed out on a chance to take his match with former champion Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott is a Scottish professional snooker player from Larkhall in Scotland. He won the 2006 World Championship, which was his first ranking title after four previous runner-up spots...
to a deciding frame, and lost 10–8. The following year, Hawkins led defending champion John Higgins 5–3 before Higgins won seven of the next eight frames to progress.
2010/2011
Hawkins played well at the World Open2010 World Open (snooker)
The 2010 12bet.com World Open professional ranking snooker tournament was held at the S.E.C.C., Glasgow between 18–26 September 2010. This was the first time that the World Open was sponsored by 12bet.com....
(formerly the Grand Prix) in defeating Mark Selby
Mark Selby
Mark Anthony Selby is an English professional snooker and pool player. Runner up in the World Snooker Championship 2007, he was the 2006 WEPF World Eight-ball Champion. Selby has won the Masters on two occasions, the Welsh Open and the Shanghai Masters...
(3–2) as well as former World Champion Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty
Ken Doherty is an Irish professional snooker player. He is the only player ever to have been world amateur and world professional champion...
(3–1) before losing 3–2 to Mark Williams
Mark Williams (snooker player)
Mark James Williams, MBE is a Welsh professional snooker player who has been World Champion twice, in 2000 and 2003. Often noted for his single-ball potting, he has earned the nickname, The Welsh Potting Machine...
.
Hawkins qualified for the World Championship
2011 World Snooker Championship
The 2011 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 16 April and 2 May 2011 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. It was the 74th edition of the event and was the last ranking event of the 2010/2011 snooker season...
for the sixth year running, where he was drawn against Stephen Maguire
Stephen Maguire
Stephen Maguire is a Scottish professional snooker player.-Early career:Maguire almost qualified for the 2000 World Championships, leading eventual semi-finalist Joe Swail 9–6 in the final qualifying round before losing 9–10, but first served notice of his true potential by knocking out Stephen...
in the first round. Having never won a match at the Crucible before, Hawkins led Maguire 4-0, 5-1, 6-2 and 8-4 before seeing Maguire level the match at 8-8 and then 9-9. However, Hawkins held his nerve in the deciding frame to finally end his losing run at the World Championship. In the second round, Hawkins was defeated 13-12 by world #11 Mark Allen
Mark Allen
Mark Allen may refer to:*Mark Allen , former British spy turned businessman and lecturer*Mark Allen , American world champion triathlete*Mark "Bull" Allen , New Zealand international rugby football player...
.
Playing style
Although right-handedHandedness
Handedness is a human attribute defined by unequal distribution of fine motor skills between the left and right hands. An individual who is more dexterous with the right hand is called right-handed and one who is more skilled with the left is said to be left-handed...
, Hawkins normally plays snooker left-handed. However, he plays shots requiring a with his right hand.
Non ranking
- Masters Qualifying Event 2007
- Pro Challenge Series – Event 5Pro Challenge Series 2009/2010 – Event 5The Pro Challenge Series – Event 5 took place between 16 and 18 February 2010 at the George Scott Snooker Club in Liverpool, England.Barry Hawkins won in the final 5–1 against Michael Holt....
2010