The Crucible Theatre
55 Norfolk Street
Sheffield
S1 1DA
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16 April - 2 May 2011
Shawn Murphy - England
All photography ©John-Patrick Fletcher - used by Pro9 with express permission.
Exclusive photos and report for Pro9 by superstar photographer JP Fletcher
My time at the 2011 Betfred World Snooker Championships will never be forgotten. I spoke to all the legends of the game, the likes of Steve Davis, John Parrot, Ken Doherty, Willie Thorne and even had time on my break to have lunch and chat with players back stage, names like John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ali Carter, Mark Selby and the wonderful Michaela Tabb and many others. As a photographer spending hours in those hot dark black shed booths it was a pleasure and an honour not just as a photographer but as a cue sports fan to listen to these legends talk about their time, experience at the Crucible and general chit chat and watch them play. Having mentioned Pro9.co.uk every chance I got to these legends, I’m sure next year we'll be back (Pro9.co.uk)
Before the round started I asked a few fans and listened to what would make a good final and to be fair I agree. For the fans choice a Ronnie vs Allen/Hendry final... But for the good of the sport and the future of world snooker they all said one line up... Mark Allen vs Judd Trump final.
When the last match finished, all the fans left, but I walked in the middle of the Crucible floor, stood between both tables, and listened to the pure silence of the arena and thought about my time their and who I met. And quite literally, with a lump in my throat, a heavy heart and a tear or two in my eye I said in the middle of that floor where legends graced... "Thank you so much for the memories and I’ll see you next year”.
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Round two kicked off with 14 players that to be fair anyone could make the final. The line ups of who played who were mouth watering and would determine, depending on the results, who could lift the covenant World Snooker trophy.
Judd Trump - England
All photography ©John-Patrick Fletcher - used by Pro9 with express permission.
Martin Gould - England
All photography ©John-Patrick Fletcher - used by Pro9 with express permission.
Judd Trump vs Martian Gould – For table two the Judd Trump game against Martin Gould was anything but plan sailing for young Judd, but cool as anything he held himself together for to a winning rack streak of 13-6 win. Martin did display his full potential and did bring his game face to Round 2 but lost the match with a few misses which eventually cost him the round.
Graeme Dott - Scotland
All photography ©John-Patrick Fletcher - used by Pro9 with express permission.
Graeme Dott vs Ali Carter – Personally the most interesting match of the round, every shot played, taken, missed or fouled was filled full of emotion with both players. You can tell both Graeme and Ali wanted to take this round, neither of them even looked each other in the eye and every time both stood behind each other wanting for each one to mess up. With Ali pacing around while Graeme took his shots, it was Graeme, who as always was cool calm and collected and had taken round two and next to play Judd Trump in the quarters.
Stephen Hendry - Scotland
All photography ©John-Patrick Fletcher - used by Pro9 with express permission.
Mark Selby - England
All photography ©John-Patrick Fletcher - used by Pro9 with express permission.
Stephen Hendry vs. Mark Selby – Before the match, there were rumours flying everywhere around the media office and fans saying that this could be Stephen Hendry’s last throw of the dice at the World Snooker Championships. The match started off with Stephen potting like the legend he is, however, he missed chances and Mark Selby took full advantage, eventually ending the night with a 12-4 lead over Stephen Hendry. Mark was on fire in this match, showing what he can do with a cue. Stephen Hendry now faces the possibility of going out of what could be his last match in round two. Many fans around the snooker World hope this is not the case, and if Stephen Hendry brings his game face he can be unstoppable, the second half of the match is the one to watch.
Mark Williams - Wales
All photography ©John-Patrick Fletcher - used by Pro9 with express permission.
Mark Williams vs. Jamie Cope – The match started off with Mark being the favourite to win this round and he did not disappoint. Jamie did take what chances he made, but experience in this tournament counts more then youth and Mark Williams took the match to a 13-4 lead and walked away with the quarters match against Mark Allen.
Mark Allen - Northern Ireland
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Barry Hawkins - England
All photography ©John-Patrick Fletcher - used by Pro9 with express permission.
Mark Allen vs. Barry Hawkins – Personally not just my favourite match of the round, as being their the most electrifying atmospheric match of the round. This match had it all. High drama from the crowd, dead silence for every shot taken, over whelming moans and groans from crowds seeing shots missed and over the top cheers for every set one. Barry Hawkins came back every time to keep the young Northern Irishmen Mark Allen on his toes, but eventfully going to ‘Hill Hill’, it ended up with a bad break from Barry Hawkins, which resulted in Mark Allen taking the match and now playing Mark Williams in the Quarter Final.
Ronnie O'Sullivan - England
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Shaun Murphy vs. Ronnie O'Sullivan – Quite possibly the crowd’s favourite match of the round. With Ronnie seemingly back on form and ‘enjoying’ his snooker. He did not disappoint and to be fair to Shaun Murphy neither did he. Both giants of the game played like legends and it was a great example of pure snooker. There were chances missed by Ronnie and Shaun, the latter playing to his trait with the ‘long match’ tactics with Ronnie as usually not to his cup of tea, it ended with a 9-7 lead to Ronnie and again both giants will clash again to see who’s playing who in the quarters.
THE BETFRED.COM WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP | ||||
THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE - SHEFFIELD | ||||
ROUND 1 | ||||
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THE BETFRED.COM WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP | ||||
THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE - SHEFFIELD | ||||
ROUND 2 | ||||
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THE BETFRED.COM WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP | ||||
THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE - SHEFFIELD | ||||
THE QUARTER-FINALS | ||||
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THE BETFRED.COM WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP | ||||
THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE - SHEFFIELD | ||||
THE SEMI-FINALS | ||||
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THE BETFRED.COM WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP | ||||
THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE - SHEFFIELD | ||||
THE FINAL | ||||
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The Crucible Theatre - Sheffield
All photography ©John-Patrick Fletcher - used by Pro9 with express permission.
THE BETFRED.COM WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP | ||||
THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE - SHEFFIELD | ||||
THE PRIZE FUND | ||||
| Winner: | £250,000 / US$414,000 X 1 | |||
| Runners Up: | £125,000 / US$207,000 x 1 | |||
| Semi-Finalists: | £52,000 / US$86,000 x 2 | |||
| Quarter-Finalists: | £24,500 / US$40,500 x 4 | |||
| Last 16: | £16,000 / US$26,500 x 8 | |||
| Last 32: | £12,000 / US$20,000 x 16 | |||
| Last 48: | £8,200 / US$13,500 x 16 | |||
| Last 64: | £4,600 / US$7,500 x 16 | |||
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