Snooker Season 2006-2007 - Detailed Preview
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by user Alex Holowczak
As the new snooker season starts in precisely one month, I shall preview the new season.
I figured that I would publish the whole article in one, so as not to (potentially) pad my user stats with 15 different articles that could all have been thrown into one, and more importantly, because I will add this to the snooker section at a later date, and doing it all in one makes that easier for me. The result? This unnecessarily elonged rant about the forthcoming snooker season.
Before I start, you might want to grab a bite to eat. Have a cup of tea perhaps? Then come back, relax, and read this lengthy analysis of the forthcoming snooker season. Failing that, skip to the concluding paragraph...
The Schedule
There will be 9 events this year, 7 of which will be ranking events. This is an improvement of one from last year, due to the Northern Ireland Trophy gaining ranking event status. Tournaments will be held mainly in the UK, but there are two events held abroad, one in Malta, and one in China. The season starts earlier than usual, two months earlier than last year, but the season concludes on it's now traditional final day, May Day, with the Final of the World Championships. The schedule is subject to change as venues are yet to be confirmed. These events may not go ahead yet.
The Northern Ireland Trophy
This is the latest ranking event on the calendar. In it's second year, the tournament looks to establish itself on the Tour.
Pot Black
Officially the second oldest snooker tournament still running, Pot Black has a unique best of 1 frame format. The top 8 players from the 2006 Snooker World Rankings will play.
Grand Prix
The tournament used to be held in The Guild Hall, Preston, but has now relocated to Aberdeen in Scotland. The new venue will have a lot to live up to. This used to be the season opening event, but is not this year.
UK Championships
The second biggest event in the sport will be held at it's new date for the last couple of seasons (the run up to Christmas). The second longest tournament too, with matches being best of 17 in the early rounds, as opposed to 9 elsewhere.
The Masters
After the destruction of the Wembley Conference Centre, the most prestigious invitational event will take place in a new venue.
Malta Cup
Now a fixed event on tour, the tournament is still popular, even without the likely participation of Tony Drago.
Welsh Open
The tournament has settled in to its new venue well, and the home players always tend to do well there.
China Open
The most profitable, and most watched event on the Tour, the China Open has some of the most passionate fans in the game. The snooker boom in China is down to the success of Ding Junhui. He won the inaugural event, and always does well there to keep the fans happy.
World Championships
The best venue on the snooker tour (The Crucible Theatre) will see the longest tournament of the season. Indeed, the Round One is longer than most ranking event finals, and all matches are played in sessions over a number of days. The Final on Sunday and May Day is one of the most watched sporting events in Britain, and always a highlight on the British sporting calendar. It was the first ever professional snooker tournament, and the original 1927 trophy is still played for.
| Date | Event | Location | 2005-2006 Winner | 2006-2007 Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 13-20 | Northern Ireland Trophy | The Waterfront Hall, Belfast | Matthew Stevens (Wales) | |
| September 2 | Pot Black | TBC | Matthew Stevens (Wales) | ||
| October 21-29 | Grand Prix | Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre | John Higgins (Scotland) | |
| December 4-17 | UK Championships | The Barbican Centre, York | Ding Junhui (China) | |
| January 14-21 | The Masters | TBC | John Higgins (Scotland) | ||
| January 29-February 4 | Malta Cup | Hilton Conference Centre, Portomaso | Ken Doherty (Ireland) | |
| February 11-19 | Welsh Open | The Newport Centre | Stephen Lee (England) | |
| March 25-April 1 | China Open | Beijing University Students Gymnasium | Mark Williams (Wales) | |
| April 21-May 7 | World Championships | The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Graeme Dott (Scotland) |
The Players
Well done for making it this far. Now onto the players. I shall give a detailed (sorry) profile of the major players for this season.
The Top 16
These are the players in the Top 16, that will be competing to win the major titles this year:
Stephen Hendry (Scotland)
World Ranking: 1
Style: Break Builder
Hendry has returned to the World Number 1 spot he held for seven years in the nineties. He became only the third player after Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan to achieve that. Hendry didn't win anything major in 2005-2006, but consistency lead to him regaining the Number 1 spot. The 7 times World Champion will look to win something this year. An eighth World title, his first for seven years, would be at the forefront of his year's ambitions. Hendry is not the player he used to be, but at 36, is still capable of producing the form he did when at his pomp in the 90s. He is arguably the best player of all-time, and probably the best break-builder in the game. This has dipped lately, but he should still figure prominently this year.
Ken Doherty (Ireland) 
World Ranking: 2
Style: Grinder
Doherty was resurgent in 2005-2006 as he won his first title for five years, the Malta Cup. He beat the in-form John Higgins in the final. Doherty threatened to do well in the World Championships, but lost to Marco Fu in a low quality Quarter Final. The 1997 World Champion will hope to do as well this year, and hope to maintain his career high ranking of 2. Doherty is not spectacular in any aspect of the game, but is rather very good at everything. He is one of the best match-players in the game today. Doherty is the king of the comeback, pulling off three in the 2003 World Snooker Championships. The best of which was a 17-16 win over Paul Hunter in the Semi Finals. Doherty is a match for anyone, but may drop down the rankings slightly this year.
Ronnie O'Sullivan (England) 
World Ranking: 3
Style: Break Builder
O'Sullivan's 2005-2006 season was the worst for some time. He was booed in the Grand Prix final, after admitting losing interest in snooker. He took part in pool events, sighting more money, and a break from the game. After boycotting the Malta Cup, the rest of his season was awful. He lost the clear World Number 1 spot, and dropped well off the pace into third. By the World Championships, he had regained his love for the game, but was disappointed to lose 17-11 to Graeme Dott in the Semi Finals. O'Sullivan gave away his cue, which has made hundreds of century breaks, and many 147s, including the fastest ever in 5 minutes 20 seconds. He will use a new cue this season. O'Sullivan is the most naturally talented player the game has ever seen. He plays right-handed, but is probably top 16 standard with his left-hand. He is the only true ambidextrous player on the circuit. The 2001 and 2004 World Champion will look to climb back up the rankings this season, and would like to win his third World title, keeping the every-three-years pattern alive.
John Higgins (Scotland)
World Ranking: 4
Style: Break Builder
Higgins was the best player of the 2005-2006 season. He was held back from a higher ranking by his poor year the year before. Higgins won the Grand Prix and The Masters. Higgins is one of the top break-builders in the game, but has recently improved his safety play to new proportions. Higgins only failure last year was in the World Championships, where the favourite lost 10-4 to the unfancied Mark Selby. This was a major disappointment to Higgins. After winning the 1998 World Championships, Higgins and his wife had two children, and he admitted that fatherhood was having an effect on his game. Last season, Higgins was allowed free reign by his wife to practice properly, for the first time since winning the world title. Higgins will hope to win his second world title this season.
Shaun Murphy (England)
World Ranking: 5
Style: Break Builder
Murphy came into the limelight, after winning the 2005 World Snooker Championships as a rank outsider. Any claims that it was a fluke were quashed when he reached the 2006 Welsh Open Final. However, he played badly, and was beaten 9-4 by Stephen Lee. Murphy would like to add another title to his collection of 1, and now that he has been in the top 16 by right for the first time, he has the ideal platform to launch his career fully. Murphy has shown he has the ability, but will need to be more consistent this season. Living locally to Sheffield, he will be a fan favourite at The Crucible Theatre throughout his career.
Graeme Dott (Scotland)
World Ranking: 6
Style: Grinder
Dott won his first ranking event at the World Championships in May, playing a matchplay style not seen since the era of Thorburn, Griffiths, and Davis. Dott was not a spectacular break builder, but his safety play gave him many easy opportunities that he took full advantage of. Dott will want to prove, like Murphy did, that he is not a flash in the pan, and is capable of a repeat this year.
Peter Ebdon (England)
World Ranking: 7
Style: Grinder
The runner up at the World Championships in May, Ebdon proved that his 2002 success was no fluke. He was very impressive during the tournament, and his relocation to Dubai seems to be helping his game. His run in the World Championships saved what was until then, a poor season for the three times World finalist. Ebdon has always been a solid, if not spectacular member of the Top 8, and should continue in that way this year. If he were a horse, he would be a punter's favourite, because he always gives everything he does 100%.
Mark Williams (Wales)
World Ranking: 8
Style: Break Builder
Williams was in danger of dropping out of the Top 16 at the start of last season. His ranking of 11 was the lowest it had been for many years. 2005-2006 did not start much better for the 2000 and 2003 World Champion. Williams had split up with his coach, the 1979 World Champion, Terry Griffiths, and like current World Number 4, John Higgins, his practice was suffering from the pressures of fatherhood. His confidence, and desire to practice was reborn, when he got to the Final of the China Open, where he and Higgins shared frames throughout, before going ahead to win at 9-8. A Quarter Final appearance at the World Championships confirmed his Top 16 status, and will give him the confidence he needs going into this season.
Stephen Maguire (Scotland)
World Ranking: 9
Style: Break Builder
Maguire had a great calendar year in 2004. He won the European Open, before losing out 10-6 to the World Champion to be, Ronnie O'Sullivan. After a couple of Quarter Final appearances, Maguire then won the UK Championships. He lost 10-9 to O'Sullivan again in the 2005 World Snooker Championships. Last season was a disappointment, typified by his 13-4 drubbing at the hands of Marco Fu in the Second Round of this year's World Championships. Maguire dropped a few places in the rankings, and whilst looking like Top 8 standard, his current form is virtually non-existant. Maguire should be happy to stay where he is in the rankings.
Stephen Lee (England)
World Ranking: 10
Style: Break Builder
Lee won his first ranking event since the 1998 Grand Prix, when he won the 2006 Welsh Open, beating the at the time World Champion Shaun Murphy easily in the Final. Lee will struggle this year, as he seems to struggle against the younger players coming through. He lost twice to World Number 13 Neil Robertson in 2005-2006. Lee is the best cueist in Professional snooker, but has not took full advantage of his naturally brilliant cue action.
Steve Davis (England)
World Ranking: 11
Style: Grinder
Now 48, Davis is close to realise his ambition of being in the Top 16 at 50. He would be only the third person to ever achieve this feat, after namesake Fred Davis and Ray Reardon. The six times World Champion rediscovered his form in 2005-2006, as he reached the Final of the UK Championships, beating reigning champion Stephen Maguire, current World Number 2 Ken Doherty, and arch nemesis Stephen Hendry along the way. He was beaten in his 100th professional snooker Final, as he lost 10-6 to Ding Junhui. Davis said he found something new in his cue action, which he claims would have made him even more successful had he known it in the 80s, when he won his six World Championship titles. Davis has become a fan favourite, and is no longer the poker player at the table he used to be. After being introduced at the World Championships this year, he put on a fake limp as he walked down the stairs, after the MC introduced him as being "The oldest player in the Top 16." As the old style of grinding safety play is fading, Davis has adapted his game to be more aggressive, in an attempt to stay up the rankings with the younger professionals. Despite this, he is still the best safety player in the game, even now. Davis will hope to stay in the Top 16 for two more years. Winning a title this year could see him there, due to the two-year ranking system in place.
Barry Hawkins (England)
World Ranking: 12
Style: Break Builder
Hawkins broke into the Top 16 after reaching two Semi Finals in ranking events over the last two seasons. Hawkins was generally very consistant, and will look to establish himself in the top 16 now he's got there. He nearly reached the Final of The Masters, narrowly losing 6-5 to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the deciding frame. Hawkins looks set to be a top 16 member in future seasons. He is a good all-around player, but definitely prefers the break building side of the game.
Neil Robertson (Australia) 
World Ranking: 13
Style: Aggressive
The Aussie left-hander came to providence after good performances in ranking events, and winning an invitation to The Masters. Robertson is an ultra-aggressive player, that is tipped to be World Champion by some. He has assumed the role of Australian Number 1 from the disgraced Quinten Hann. Australia hopes he can go one further than Australian legends Horace Lindrum and Eddie Charlton, who both lost in three finals apiece. Robertson should solidify his top 16 place this year, but will then look to start winning ranking events.
Matthew Stevens (Wales)
World Ranking: 14
Style: Break Builder
Stevens is a much better player than his ranking suggests. The twice World runner-up dislikes best of 9 frame matches, so his best chances come in the UK Championships (still his only major ranking event win, in 2003), and the World Championships. Stevens will need to improve over 9 frames to stay in the top 16, which after a disappointing 2005-2006 will be a tough challenge. Considering he likes longer matches, it is perhaps ironic that he won Pot Black, where the matches are best of 1 frame, last year. It was the first time the tournament had been held for 14 years. Stevens should be in the top 8 with his ability, and that will be his aim this year. The Masters Champion of 2004 would like to win another ranking event.
Allister Carter (England)
World Ranking: 15
Style: Grinder
Carter broke into the top 16 for the first time at the end of 2005-2006. Carter had two good years, and the bottom of the top 16 could be the peak of Carter's abilities. He was tipped for bigger successes, but hopefully this can be the springboard to launch Carter up the rankings, and into contention at events.
Anthony Hamilton (England)
World Ranking: 16
Style: Break Builder
Hamilton has regained his top 16 place after a six season absence. Hamilton has reached several ranking event finals, his ranking peaked at Number 10 in the late 90s. Hamilton has always been a great break builder, and if he is to stay in the top 16, or progress up the rankings, he will need his break building to be up to scratch this year. Hamilton remains a dangerous opponent, capable of beating anyone.
The Youngsters
There are young players on the rise, that could break through into the Top 16 this year:
Ryan Day (Wales)
World Ranking: 17
Style: Break Builder
Day has been close to pulling off major shocks at The Crucible Theatre in the last two years. He lead 9-7, missed a pink, and lost 10-9 to John Higgins in the 2005 First Round. He lead Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-7, going into the final session of his 2006 Second Round match, before being swept away in the final session and losing 13-11. He narrowly missed out on top 16 status for this season, but he will look to reach latter stages of events this season. After a strong 2005-2006, the top 16 is a realistic prospect.
Michael Holt (England)
World Ranking: 21
Style: Grinder
Holt has temperamental problems. He often loses his temper, and pulls grimaces at the table. That said, his ranking is the highest it has been in his career. Holt has performed well against the top players however, and had a good season last year. An outside bet of getting into the top 16. One of snooker legend Dennis Taylor's favourite players to watch, watching Holt is always an emotional rollercoaster.
Ding Junhui (China)
World Ranking: 27
Style: Aggressive
Ding has already won two ranking events, despite not yet being 20. He won his home event, the China Open in 2005, and followed that up last season by winning the UK Championships. Chinese Number 1 Ding is expected to be a future World Champion, and a rise into the top 16 this season would be a good step on the way to achieving this ambition. Ding would love to do well in his home event, where in defence of his title last year, he reached the Semi Finals.
Mark Selby (England)
World Ranking: 28
Style: Grinder
Mark Selby has outperformed himself over the last few years. He reached the Final of the Scottish Open in 2000, but showed no such form until he beat John Higgins 10-4 in this year's World Championships. After a good 2005-06 season, Selby could push for a top 16 place, but this might be beyond his talent.
Jamie Cope (England)
World Ranking: 48
Style: To be determined
Cope is a young talent, that impressed on his tour debut in 2005-06. He reached the last 32 of two ranking events, and is expected to be a top 16 player in future. That is probably beyond him this year, but he could certainly challenge for a top 32 berth if he has a year this year like he did last year.
Mark Allen (Northern Ireland)
World Ranking: 62
Style: To be determined
Allen impressed as much as Jamie Cope, and the Northern Irish Champion will look to rise up the rankings this year. Tipped as a potential World Champion in future, like Ding, improving into the next tier of 16 would be a good year for Allen.
Judd Trump (England)
World Ranking: 74
7
Style: To be determined
Trump was faced with disaster as he broke his cue during 2005-06. However, the 16 year olds replacement cue has brought him more success in recent months, as he won a tournament at Pontins in June. Trump is tipped to be a future World Champion, but his target this season will be to simply qualify for events.
The Former Elite
There are ex Top 16 members, that will try to fight back into it this season:
Joe Perry (England)
World Ranking: 18
Style: Break Builder
Perry had a good season in 2005-2006, but the year before that hit his top 16 chances. He could get back into it with another year like last year. Perry has reached the Quarter Finals of the World Championships on two occasions.
Alan McManus (Scotland)
World Ranking: 19
Style: Grinder
The 1994 Masters Champion, McManus has not quite produced what many expected him to produce in his career. He had been in the top 16 for 13 years, but fell out last year after a couple of years worth of poor results. McManus may need two year's to get back, but no-one will bet against him. He is one of the greatest safety players in the history of the game.
Nigel Bond (England)
World Ranking: 20
Style: Break Builder
Bond's career is suddenly back on the rise. His best season for nine years, since he won the 1996 British Open. After beating Stephen Hendry for the first time at the World Championships, Bond could now have the confidence to rise up the rankings back into the top 16.
Marco Fu (Hong Kong) 
World Ranking: 22
Style: Break Builder
Fu stormed onto the scene, reaching the 1998 Grand Prix Final. After that, he lost confidence. He was briefly in the top 16, before falling out. In 2005, he joined the Terry Griffiths coaching stable. He has grown in confidence, and put in an impressive performance in the 2006 World Snooker Championships. He reached the Semi Finals, after beating Stephen Maguire 13-4 in the Second Round, and beating former World Champion Ken Doherty in the Quarter Finals. He trailed 15-9 going into the Final session in his Semi Final against Peter Ebdon. But he came back to 15-15, and had to level again at 16-16. Only a great clearance from Ebdon won him the match. If Fu can reproduce his form from this year's World Championships, there is no reason why he can't get into the top 16 next season.
James Wattana (Thailand) 
World Ranking: 25
Style: Break Builder
Wattana is still one of the best break builders in the game. He has made several 147s, and was once ranked Number 3 in the World. Wattana has been around the mid 20s in terms of World Ranking for a couple of years, but a good run to the Semi Finals of the 2006 China Open could give him an outside chance of a top 16 place next year.
Paul Hunter (England)
World Ranking: 34
Style: Break Builder
Hunter has immediately become a fan favourite. The former World Number 4 was diagnosed with cancer in 2005, and despite bravely playing on through the pain, his ranking has plummeted. He only won one match in 2005-2006. Hunter should be fit again by the end of the season, but the three times Masters Champion will need a good year to get into the top 16. He may struggle initially to get through the qualifiers, as the treatment for his cancer continues. Everyone in the snooker world wishes Paul a speedy recovery.
Jimmy White (England)
World Ranking: 35
Style: Aggressive
White is the unluckiest player in snooker history. The six times World Championship Runner Up has not only dropped out of the top 16, but out of the top 32 after an awful season. White needs to regain a top 32 place, and hope to get in the top 16 the following season. White, 44, may have bode a final farewell to The Crucible Theatre, and it is sad that he may never grace the biggest stage in snooker again. The biggest draw in snooker, White's aggressive style captured the fans' minds long before his six final defeats. There are still those that believe White will one day win the World Championship that has so far alluded him. This is unrealistic at 44. But White will definitely have the support of the snooker fraternity behind him. A poor season, and White may end up like the next batch of players…
The Collapsing
There are former greats that will continue to slide off the snooker scene into retirement:
Drew Henry (Scotland)
World Ranking: 42
Style: Grinder
Henry was very good until Ronnie O'Sullivan made a 147 against him in the 2003 LG Cup. Sadly, he seemed to lose confidence, and he has lost his way from the force he was in the 90s. He is in desperate need of a good season to avoid a further drop.
John Parrott (England)
World Ranking: 43
Style: Break Builder
The 1991 World Champion admits he no longer has the ability to win major titles. But that won't stop the Lancashire player trying. The fan favourite, pundit, and former 'Question of Sport' captain still carries on for the fun of it, much like the likes of Fred Davis and Eddie Charlton before him. Parrott will be relaxed, which could make him a dangerous opponent. Parrott is sadly, not the player he once was, and he may not hang around too much in future.
Fergal O'Brien (Ireland)
World Ranking: 46
Style: Break Builder
The story of Fergal O'Brien is a sad one. Leading Paul Hunter (England) 7-3 in the 2002 Masters Final, O'Brien collapsed to a Hunter comeback. Hunter went on to win 10-8. O'Brien lost confidence, and his ranking has slipped ever since. His lack of confidence has left him langushing on the edge of retirement.
Tony Drago (Malta)
World Ranking: 52
Style: Aggressive
The fastest player in the world is now into his 40s, but shows no sign of slowing down. Drago has made a century break in three minutes, but if recent form is anything to go by, he would be happy to make a hundred in an hour. Joking aside, Drago is arguably Malta's best ever snooker player, and it will be sad to see him go in the next couple of years.
Jamie Burnett (Scotland)
World Ranking: 55
Style: Break Builder
Jamie Burnett can retire in the knowledge that his place in snooker history is secured. After a lacklustre career, Burnett made a 148 break, the highest ever recorded, and the first break of more than 147 ever made. Burnett can now drift into obscurity knowing he is safe in snooker's Hall of Fame.
Partick Wallace (Northern Ireland)
World Ranking: 72
Style: Grinder
The 2002 World Championship Quarter Finalist showed so much promise. But now, his ranking is shocking. This could be Wallace's last season.
Last Year's Retirements
Chris Small (Scotland)
Style: Grinder
This is a sad story. Small won the Grand Prix. He had the best season of his career, rising to 12th in the world. Then – back troubles. No matter how he tried, drugs and all, his back would not allow him to play. His ranking slipped, and retired during last season. He now coaches children in his native area of Scotland.
Darren Morgan (Wales)
Style: Break Builder
Darren Morgan threatened to retire last season, but had one more go. Another failed season lead to his retirement. Morgan lost several times to Stephen Hendry in the World Championships in the 90s. Without Hendry, Morgan could have gone on up the rankings. The Welsh left-hander will be sadly missed.
The Returning Players
Dene O'Kane (New Zealand) 
World Ranking: None
Style: Grinder
After retiring in 2004, O'Kane won tournaments in Oceania, and was persuaded to return to the Main Tour. He is the best New Zealander to play since Clark McConachy, and he was at his best in the 80s. O'Kane will probably not get to the major stages of many tournaments this season however.
Conclusion
The 2006-2007 Snooker season looks like being the most open for some time. There are perhaps about ten players capable of winning tournaments, and with the limited supply of tournaments on offer, every match will be crucial. Next year will be the 80th anniversary of the first ever World Championships, and as usual, irrespective of the anniversary, it will be the one championship that all the players want to win at the climax of the season.
The End
You made it. If you read the whole of this, I am very impressed. If you didn't, I understand. Anyway, there it was. Thankyou, you've been a very attentive, (if not mad) audience...
Date
Thu 07/13/06, 3:51 am EST
