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Home , Ali Carter, Century break, Clive Everton, Ding Junhui, Eddie Charlton, Irish Masters

EXT DOOR, an army of The stage is set for seven days of was seen snapping his cue at a petrol workers in hard hats is dramatic competition. The cast list reads station, but $500,000 for winning last hammering away at like a who’s who of world . There’s year’s world title was enough to buy the finishing touches to the reigning champion and No. 1 some superglue. Often criticised for $2 billion of spanking new seed, , who’s dressed to kill his sluggish, tactical play, Dott won that Wembley Stadium – capacity and licensed to thrill in a black bow-tie and world crown in an epic performance 90,000 raucous football fans. But here waistcoat. The sharp-shooting Scot looks which dragged on past midnight. It Cue Action at Wembley Arena, in the shadow of its as slick as James Bond, but uses a cue was a bit like a Shakespearian tragedy. new neighbour, 2000 far more sedate rather than a Walther PPK to hunt down Maybe that’s why they hold the World spectators are huddled together in his target, a of 147 – Championship at ’s Crucible By Chris Harrison darkness around a snooker table fixed although the effects on his adversaries Theatre, in the north of . photos by Julian Finney / Getty Images in a spotlight. As winter rages outside are just as deadly. Also treading the boards is Stephen and icy winds lash , the world’s Co-star and second favourite is Graeme Hendry MBE, the suave Zen master of top 16 players are turning up the heat at Dott, another Scot. Two years ago, sick of snooker who, when not hypnotising his pro snooker is a game for cannon-fire stickmen and bad boys. is the the 2007 Snooker Masters. his sport, the pint-sized “Pocket Dynamo” opponents at the table, sits coolly in his latest hot-shot from Down Under to join its ranks.

090 091 Why? He missed a red. Just the one … but He has blond hair and Robertson, dubbed “The one was enough. “Anyone who knows me Machine”, is knows I’m a perfectionist,” said O’Sullivan, spins the ball to his whim. explaining the cricket equivalent of Glenn No, not Warney, but part of snooker’s new McGrath bowling a wide during his first over elite and has already and turning his back on an entire series. another Victorian, Neil It wasn’t the first time “The Rocket” had Robertson – our very own won $500,000. Who says blasted off. His virtuoso performances, both hanging around on and off the table, have kept him in the snooker superstar. headlines. A sufferer of clinical depression halls leads nowhere? (compounded by the fact his old man’s in the slammer for murder), snooker’s most Snooker’s best has gathered at Wembley, controversial character has found it tough to but the star of the show will be rough-spoken stay focused on a sport that demands mental O’Sullivan … if he turns up. Provoking yet rather than physical fitness. Taking another scandal in a career of dramatic highs literally, he was stripped of the and desperate lows, during his previous crown after testing positive for cannabis, and tournament (the UK Championship), he was dealt a two-year suspended sentence for abandoned his quarter-final while 4-1 down assaulting a snooker official. Yet fans adore in a 19-frame best-of encounter with Hendry, the prodigious ambidextrous potter who once his archrival. decided to play a match left-handed and still

top to bottom Budding pilot ’s game didn’t take off at The Masters; , not looking very interested; Stephen Lee, trying to tell the brown from the reds.

corner sipping water like it’s vodka. He likely to play more than just a cameo role. Robertson, an aggressive left-hander, became dominated snooker throughout the 1990s, The Jackie Chan fan is tipped by experts the first Aussie to win a world ranking event. when tobacco sponsorship was yet to be to become a multiple world champion, Maybe that’s why he looks like Warney – he extinguished and the prize money was and has already made off with some loot too is showing the Poms how to play a sport smokin’. With seven world titles and 700 by blasting a maximum in the Masters’ they invented. However, despite his historic century breaks to his name, Hendry’s the opening round, pocketing all the balls win at his first pro-tour final (over a Brit called most prolific winner in the history of the sport, and $60,000 – not bad for 15 minutes’ work. , who obviously couldn’t), and has amassed $20 million in prize money. He’s only the second player in the history Robertson’s most memorable victory to date Six-time world champion Steve “Interesting” of the tournament to achieve the holy grail took place in the quarter-final of the same Davis is also top of the bill at snooker’s richest of break building: 15 reds, 15 blacks and event, when he composed the demise of invitational event, which marks the half-way then all the colours. Ronnie “The Rocket” O’Sullivan – a two-time point in a season running from August to May. Get the impression the sport is dominated world champ and the best natural talent to A living legend of the sport who has won over by Brits? Wrong. There’s a new kid on the ever grace the baize. 70 tournaments, he’s still wielding his magic block. From Down Under no less. With wand aged 49 … and still looking like a painstakingly preened bleached blond hair, Junhui, the “Star of schoolboy truant. he can spin, swerve and slide the ball to his the East”, couldn’t outshine Supporting actors include the ’05 world whim. No, not Warney, but another Victorian, Ronnie O’Sullivan (right) during The Masters final. champ, , whose mascot is a Neil Robertson – our very own snooker teddy bear in a Superman costume. Is it a superstar cueing up to become world champ. bird? Is it a plane? No, it was a Christmas Not since the days of (Mr present from his wife. Waiting in the wings Snooker to you) has had a genuine are and , both world crown contender. But they played a former world champs and both in with a shot different game back in Steady Eddie’s era. of snaring the silverware. Among the Same rules, of course, but conservative safety understudies are ’s rough-and-ready is now the approach of also-rans. Robertson, , who keeps baby sharks in 24, dubbed “The Melbourne Machine”, is part his bedroom, and Ali Carter, who’s training to of snooker’s exciting new elite – players who fly 747s in case 147s prove hard to come by. smite length-of-the-table drives the likes of Lesser lights include Anthony Hamilton, aka which Charlton would’ve never attempted. “The Sheriff of Pottingham”, and the colour- The high school drop-out and former under-21 blind world No. 10, Stephen Lee. Apparently, world champ has already amassed around only the reds and the brown pose a problem. $500,000 in prize money. Who says hanging Though only a wildcard for the event, around pool halls leads nowhere? teenage Chinese sensation looks At the ’06 British Grand Prix in ,

092 093 “My name is Higgins, “Robertson’s got the game for the modern O’Sullivan was too stubborn to follow trends. Alex “Hurricane” Higgins. Before snooker lost John Higgins” – the ’06 age,” says , the soft voice of Raising yet another stir, he’s been refusing its pub-sport profile, the womanising world Masters winner. below Junhui looking shaken snooker on the BBC. “It’s become more of an to fulfil his media obligations in protest against champ used to drink and smoke between and stirred during the aggressive potting game, and if you’ve got what he believes to be his unfair treatment shots like he was at a mate’s barbie. But just ’07 final. that you can learn the rest.” by the press over his walkout at the UK like O’Sullivan, he was pure box office. He Steve Davis agrees: “Years ago, you erred Championship. Instead, he’s been letting his once head-butted a tournament official when on the side of caution, but you can’t do that cue do the talking, breezing through his first- asked to provide a urine sample, threatened now and win. Robertson has an air of round bout against Carter – who might need to have his team-mate Dennis assuredness when he’s at the table. The thrill that flying job after all. He then dispatched Taylor shot and punched a tournament of competition is clearly entertaining him.” Dubliner Ken Doherty, who suffered a case of director in the face. The same cannot be said for Williams – the Murphy’s Law in the penultimate frame when veteran being taught a lesson by snooker’s a routine red kicked and forgot the password Back at Wembley Arena and Robertson is sparkling new star. Robertson’s thirst for to the pocket. After that, O’Sullivan went preferring to maul his opponents on rather taking on improbable pots is leaving the ballistic, firing off an effortless than off the table. In his quarter-final battle Welshman little to do other than add ice to blast his way into the semi-finals. with Stephen Maguire, he’s attempting to cubes to his drink. What a civilised sport; O’Sullivan won’t win as many titles as other continue his blitzkrieg approach. But Maguire players even get an ice bucket and a pair of snooker greats. Inward demons and outward has also been potting well. Not one to mince tongs. But the atmosphere is anything but that dramas will see to that. But few who know a his words, the cocky Scot has threatened to of a party – the silence is so absolute that you thing or two about the game deny that he’s the “smack Neil’s arse” in their encounter. It’s just can almost hear the players’ brains churning greatest player ever to chalk a cue. banter. The pair are mates. Well, until the man through their shot selections. “The word genius is bandied about too with the white gloves announces in a serious Despite Robertson going potty at the table, easily these days,” says , a tone: “Frame one. Stephen Maguire to break.” silence and darkness are a recipe for sleep. former world champion and commentator. The fun then turns formal. A semi-final The sound of snooker can get soporific, and “We’ve seen a lot of great players over the showdown with O’Sullivan is at stake. several spectators have nodded off. The years, but Ronnie O’Sullivan is the only one A firecracker start. Robertson rolls in a powers that be have debated how to sharpen that I’d use the word genius to describe.” century break and the crowd prepares for their sport, or at least make it as colourful as Nicknames abound in this sport. O’Sullivan yet another Aussie whitewash. But then the balls. Ideas have included shot clocks to has several. But the one that’s stuck is “The Robertson’s gun sight strays off target. Several give slow players the hurry-up, different Bad Boy of Snooker”, a moniker he’s shared brazen misses hand the Scot a smorgasbord coloured fabrics on the tables and black spots with many other capricious cue-men, of likely balls, and Maguire punishes the on cue balls to show spin. My idea is to including Australia’s . At the ’04 errors to take the match 6-2. Later, a less double the value of balls sinking into certain World Champs, Hann almost came to blows chirpy Robertson explained his early exit, O’Sullivan won’t win as pockets, either that or bring back Lianne with an opponent during a match, and later saying: “After winning 6-0 against Mark Crofts, the streaker who set the ’97 Masters organised a more official fight with a rival Williams, I thought I was going to carry on. many titles as other alight. She’d soon wake people up. player in the boxing ring, an event dubbed I tried to blow him away. It’s a learning curve. snooker greats. Inward Robertson races to a 5-0 lead. Williams is Pot Whack. In ’05, the former world No. 14 I’ve gotta be more patient. I attacked too much a mere spectator, though a spectator in the was banned for eight years after being found when I should have played safe.” demons will see to that. spotlight – the loneliest seat in snooker. guilty of intending to fix a match at the Perhaps the game hasn’t changed that much But few can deny that Unlike the late Bill Werbeniuk, at least “That’s the hardest thing about the game,” Open, ending a career dogged by rape and after all, and a touch of Steady Eddie in O’Sullivan does his drinking away from says Robertson. “When your opponent is at assault allegations. (He now plays pro pool.) Robertson’s armoury wouldn’t go astray. he’s the greatest player the table. below right , the table and playing well, there’s nothing you But perhaps the most infamous snooker The press are still on O’Sullivan’s back, and ever to chalk a cue. the greatest of all time. can do about it. You can hardly do a thing player of all time was the Belfast-born player he’s still ignoring them. A man on a mission, wrong and still be beaten. That’s why a lot of he sees off Maguire in an error-prone semi, won 10-3. His humiliated opponent refused to commentators say that snooker is the hardest but winning ugly is the key to tournament shake either of O’Sullivan’s mitts. “Robertson’s got sport in the world.” success. Victory sets up a ding-dong final Mild-mannered Robertson has steered clear the game for the In just under 90 minutes (the shortest match against Junhui – the wildcard gone wild. After of scandal, but then it’s hard to go off the rails modern age: aggressive of the tournament), Robertson seals it 6-0. upstaging Peter Ebdon and Stephen Lee, the when you’re practising six hours a day. The Another Aussie whitewash. If they’d been Chinese boy wonder made light work of boy in the bow-tie rents unglamorous digs in potting.” – Clive Everton, playing pub rules, Williams would’ve had to Hendry in their one-sided semi. the car park of a snooker centre in Cambridge BBC snooker drop his strides and do a lap of the table. In a mesmerising display, O’Sullivan (80km north of London), and sends footage of “Just like the Ashes, eh boys?” baits thunders in four century breaks and wins ten his matches home to his father, who then commentator. Robertson at the post-match press conference, of the final 11 frames. The pockets are like coaches his charge over the phone. This before racing off to the plush players’ lounge buckets. Junhui fights off tears. He’s not unorthodox approach has somehow secured A surfie in a suit, Robertson strides to the to meet his new girlfriend, Chelsey, who playing badly, but O’Sullivan’s robotic skill is Robertson a most orthodox cueing action. table and eyes an audacious long pot, shares the pronunciation of her name with keeping him in his seat. With one frame Elbow straight, gently back … then POW! something Charlton and Co. would never Robertson’s adopted football team in the remaining, O’Sullivan has to convince his Having blasted like a bullet into the top 16, have tackled. The crowd is still. So is absence of his beloved Collingwood. distraught opponent not to leave the arena Robertson’s marched on England’s capital Robertson – poised like a panther waiting to and to take his beating like a man. Given his hoping to steal snooker’s crown jewels. His pounce. He’s not going to try his luck, surely? Snooker’s strength is its depth of talent. own recent walkout, the irony isn’t lost on the first round stoush is against two-time world Elbow straight, gently back … then POW! In the lead-up to the Masters, each tournament crowd. Junhui is shaken. The audience is and Masters champion Mark Williams, the Applause erupts as the red disappears into a of the current season was won by a different stirred. No-one’s nodding off today. Snooker’s No. 8 seed. Announced by the MC, Robertson pocket. One down, 14 to go. After a little over player, with underdogs often snatching the bad boy is clearly doing the game good. receives a surprisingly warm welcome from ten minutes, there’s not a ball left on the table. biggest bones. The early rounds of The This year, they should’ve removed the “s” a bunch of Brits reeling from an Ashes Seemingly oblivious to the imposing TV Masters proved to be no exception, with the from the end of the tournament’s name. At the whitewash and loath to applaud anything cameras, a nerveless Robertson charges top seeds tumbling out. Higgins, Dott, Davis – ’06 Masters, there was only one master. ■ Australian. Then again, his opponent is Welsh. through the second frame as fluently as the all sent packing. James Bond had his licence After The Master, Robertson went on Williams splits the red pyramid and returns first. Earpieces tuned in to the commentary revoked, while Superman Murphy only to blitz Hendry, O’Sullivan and Davis to his seat, from where he watches the box afford the crowd expert analysis of the managed one sequel, crashing out in the to win the , his second remainder of the first-to-six-frame match. demolition performed by the boy from Oz. second round. But bookies’ favourite Ronnie world ranking tournament this season.

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