Отправлено: 12.10.06 13:15. Заголовок: ПРЕСС-ЦЕНТР - 3

 Отправлено: 07.12.06 12:09. Заголовок: Re:

WELSH DRAGON FIRES INTO LAST 16
06 Dec 2006 22:23:00

Matthew Stevens, champion at York three years ago, cruised into the third round of the Maplin UK Championship with a 9-5 defeat of David Gray.


The player nicknamed the Welsh Dragon beat Stephen Hendry in the 2003 final at the Barbican Centre for his sole ranking title and has hopes of capturing the trophy again a week on Sunday.

And he anticipates a clash with countryman Ryan Day in the next round. "I know he has to play Ding (Junhui) first, but I’ve been practising with Ryan, he’s playing fantastic snooker and I fancy him to win that match.

"Ding may be the defending champion, but it will be tough for him to fly back from the Asian Games (in Qatar) and play here the following day."

Carmarthen’s 29-year-old Stevens did most of the damage in the first session this morning, building a 6-2 advantage.

Londoner Gray made a brilliant start to the evening session by becoming only the seventh player to make a 146 in professional play, setting a strong front-runner for the £5,000 high break prize.

But Stevens won the next two frames for an 8-3 lead, and despite seeing his opponent pull two back, got over the winning line in the 14th.

"I’ve lost in the first round here for the last couple of years so I’m pleased to be through," added Stevens. "I like this venue and I’ve got good memories of playing here."

Glasgow’s Scott MacKenzie was on the right end of a remarkable 9-0 whitewash of a player 36 places above him in the rankings, Michael Holt.

After winning all eight frames in the first session, the Scot needed just 12 minutes tonight to book his place in the next round, closing with a run of 60.

He now faces 888.com World Champion Graeme Dott. "It’s a dream match for me," said MacKenzie. "The only one that could be better would be to play Stephen Hendry."

Peter Ebdon was in outstanding form in a heavy-scoring match against Mark Selby. The former World Champion piled in breaks of 125, 110, 96, 53, 98, 123, 72 and 124. Selby was no slouch himself with 99, 76, 92, 63 and 127 but still succumbed 9-6.

Stuart Bingham edged through 9-8 in a nail-biter against Ali Carter which went down to the last black.

The pair were tied at 6-6 at the mid-session interval but Carter was then docked a frame by referee Oliver Marteel for arriving back late to the playing arena.

Bingham went 8-6 up with a 54 then Carter bravely battled back to level with 67 and 92.

He had a chance in the decider but missed a tricky final black and, after a safety exchange, Bingham slotted it into a baulk corner for victory.

www.worldsnooker.com

 Отправлено: 07.12.06 17:37. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 07.12.06 18:30. Заголовок: Re:

Не откажу себе в этом удовольствии..
Murphy in danger of early exit

.. и в этом:
Stevens moves on

 Отправлено: 07.12.06 22:13. Заголовок: Re:

MAGUIRE SET FOR ROCKET CLASH
07 Dec 2006 19:14:00

Stephen Maguire overcame a bout of the jitters to book a last 16 showdown with Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Maplin UK Championship.


The Glaswegian battler, who became a father for the first time last week, has avoided sleepless nights thus far, focused on success in York while his fiancé Sharon looks after the couple’s one-week old son, Finn, at home in Milton.

But the 2004 UK winner saw his nerves tested to the limit by Belfast’s Joe Swail, before he eventually prevailed, 9-8 winner after a thrilling last-frame decider at the Barbican Centre in the pair’s second round showdown.

“I led all the way apart from the first frame, but he was never in front. So I’ve led all the way and he kept coming back and back. A couple of times I had him in real trouble, but he just kept potting them or producing a great safety and getting back in.

“I just couldn’t find a way of getting rid of him. I’m just over the moon to have won”, a relieved Maguire admitted.

Maguire can’t wait to now play Ronnie in the next round, for the Milton cueman beat the ‘Rocket’ two years ago, 9-6 in the last 32 stage when he went on win the prestigious UK title.

“Ronnie can absolutely annihilate you, but I sent him packing two years ago, so I hopefully I can play well again,” added the 2004 European Open champion, who pocketed breaks of 83, 58, 52, 82, 86, 107 and 67 to progress.

“All I wanted was just once chance to see if I could do it (win the last frame). I’ve made a 67, so I’m ecstatic.

“It’s the kind of game I’ve been losing these last 18 months, so it feels good to actually win a match where both players have played well for a change.

A misfiring Ronnie O'Sullivan scraped into the last 16 of the Maplin UK Championship having been taken the distance by qualifier Ricky Walden.

The three-time UK champion edged a nerve-racking 16th frame by just two points, before he re-ignited his title-charge with a 108 break to seal victory, 9-8.

"I'm just delighted to have got through," admitted a relieved O'Sullivan. "He deserved to win that match.

The Rocket had further match breaks of 107, 50, 59, 74, 64 and 125, but having led 7-4; saw Walden battle 8-7 ahead.

Meanwhile, Glaswegian Jamie Burnett could not repeat his first-round heroics. The Hamilton potter was beaten 9-5 by last year’s runner-up Steve Davis, a six-time winner of the UK crown.

Previous winner in 1999 and 2002, Mark Williams edged past Gerard Greene 9-7 and Stephen Lee came through a tough tussle against Rod Lawler 9-6.
www.worldsnooker.com

 Отправлено: 08.12.06 01:49. Заголовок: Re:

York exits for Murphy & Robertson

 Отправлено: 08.12.06 10:59. Заголовок: Re:

ANGLES ON THE NUGGET (www.worldsnooker.com|
07 Dec 2006 22:36:00

The Scots are now guaranteed four players in the last 16 of the Maplin UK Championship.





With a healthy 6-2 lead at the mid point, he had to sit and watch as Shaun Murphy showed great resilience to fire in a 76 to reduce the deficit. But with breaks of 59 and 57, he secured the next three frames to take the match.



“I’m looking forward to playing Steve. Any time you play him it’s a real occasion,” said the world number 19. “And to play him on the big stage, at the UK, will be very special.



"It will be a good game with Steve. He’s such a legend. It’s no surprise he’s still going strong. It’s (snooker) his life. He’s still in the top 16, so it’s quite amazing really.”



The Scot is pleased with his form and practising hard, “I’m not hitting the ball badly. I’ve been knocking in a lot of crunch balls, which gives you confidence.



“That’s what you need to be doing against the best players."



John Higgins also secured his place in the last 16 after overcoming the stubborn challenge of Mark King, 9-5 and despite not feeling at his best.



"The first four frames I couldn’t even see the table," admitted Higgins. "I got some eye drops and that helped. I was going to try anything!"


Besides the illness Higgins was also lacking match practise, "I came into the competition cold because I’ve not played for six weeks and some of the boys have been playing in the Betfred (Premier League). It was a really scrappy match. I came here very apprehensive after the Grand Prix (in Aberdeen).”



"I’m just happy to have made it through to the televised stage.” In the last 16 he will play Stephen Lee, “Stephen’s playing well and found a bit of form by winning the Welsh Open last season, so I’m sure it will be a tough match."



The Romford potter did have the consolation of equalling the top break. He hit a 146, also a tournament best for him, matching the mark of David Gray who only scored his yesterday evening. The final frame was a tense safety battle but the Wizard of Wishaw prevailed, taking the match 9-4.



Finland’s Robin Hull came out on top, after his match against Royal London Watches Grand Prix winner, Neil Robertson. Level at the interval, Hull moved to within one frame of victory helped by breaks of 60, 96 and a 68.



The Melbourne potter took the thirteenth but Hull was not to be denied, winning 9-5.

 Отправлено: 08.12.06 19:23. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 08.12.06 23:55. Заголовок: Re:

МакМанус нацелен на матч с Дэвисом

Уж простите, что не так оперативно, как обычно, но новостей сейчас зело много, а времени на занятие переводом крайне мало. Так что, пока как получается...

 Отправлено: 09.12.06 10:46. Заголовок: Re:

O'SULLIVAN ADMITS TO APATHY

Hendry: I'm not done yet

 Отправлено: 09.12.06 10:50. Заголовок: Re:

Walker is in pocket and still in the chair

Clive Everton
Wednesday November 29, 2006
The Guardian

Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, was re-elected to its board by a 43-0 margin at an AGM in Sheffield attended by only one player and three managers. No questions were asked about the association's accounts after it was disclosed that Myerscough Developments, a company controlled by Walker, had received £75,237 in commissions.
Asked which contracts were linked with these payments, Elaine Goldsmith, the WPBSA's secretary, said they were agreements Walker had been "instrumental in closing". This is despite the fact that the sports marketing company IMG/TWI is the snooker body's exclusive sponsorship agent for BBC events. Another £20,000 in commissions was payable to Walker but he donated it to charity. He additionally received £20,000 for chairing WPBSA Ltd and £20,000 from its wholly owned subsidiary World Snooker Ltd.

Only four players won more in prize money than the £135,237 Walker earned from WPBSA activities. Although a bottom-line profit of £1.226m for the year ending June 30 was declared, prize money for events totalled £2.339m, more than 50% down from two seasons earlier.
There has been much grumbling that the association's contract with 888.com gives the world championship sponsor the right to one of the two waistcoat logos each player is permitted, an agreement which has also been made with Saga Insurance, sponsor of the Masters. However, judging by the apathy of the players - 26 chose not to vote at the AGM - they seem to have accepted their lot.

Sir David Richards, chairman of the Premier League, was re-elected by 42-1 and Peter Ebdon, the 2002 world champion, 27-17. Two directors co-opted during the year, Lee Doyle, chief executive of 110sport, and Dr Hamish McInnes, who was introduced by Walker, were elected.

 Отправлено: 09.12.06 14:43. Заголовок: Re:

Не нравится мне перспективки на матч с Роном.. особенно с учетом настроений вышеозначенного товарисча..

Maguire hoping for repeat

 Отправлено: 09.12.06 21:44. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 09.12.06 23:55. Заголовок: Re:

http://eurosport.com/

 Отправлено: 10.12.06 00:24. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 10.12.06 09:40. Заголовок: Re:

HENDRY SURVIVES HAROLD FIGHT-BACK
09 Dec 2006 22:29:00

Stephen Hendry produced a superb late burst to end Dave Harold's hopes of an upset at the Maplin UK Championship.

The world No 1 crashed out at the first stage of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in October and looked in danger of another early exit when Harold recovered from 7-3 down to 7-7 at the York Barbican Centre.

But when the Stoke potter missed the easiest of reds to a centre pocket early in the 15th frame, Hendry pounced.

A break of 88 restored his lead and a cool 82 in the next put him through to the last 16 and a clash with pal Mark Williams.

"From 7-3 to 7-7 it was all Dave, I didn’t have a chance," said Hendry, reflecting on his opponent’s burst which featured breaks of 111 and 115.

"I thought it was a match I was destined to lose. I couldn’t believe he missed the red in the next. I held myself together and made two great breaks.

"I had a bad start to the season but we’ve only had two ranking tournaments, there are still five to go. There are no alarm bells ringing, I just want to get back to winning ways.

"I’ve got a great record in this event and I’ve always considered it one of the big two or three that I want to win.

"I can’t wait to play Mark, it will be fantastic. There are some big matches in the next round and that’s great for the tournament. You want to be involved and play in those games."

Fellow Scot Graeme Dott had a much more comfortable passage into the last 16, beating Scott MacKenzie 9-2.

The 888.com World Champion led 6-2 after the first session and added the three frames he needed in emphatic style with runs of 107, 92 and 112 to set up a match with Finland’s Robin Hull.

"I played well, although Scott is a much better player than he showed today," said Dott. "It was his first time on TV and he will learn to deal with it.

"I feel very comfortable in these long frame matches, although I haven’t got a good record in this tournament.

"It won’t be an easy match for me against Robin, if he beat Neil Robertson he must be playing well and he deserves to be here."

© 2006 World Snooker.

 Отправлено: 11.12.06 06:34. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 11.12.06 17:28. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 11.12.06 17:52. Заголовок: Re:

ROCKET FLIES INTO LAST EIGHT
11 Dec 2006 15:25:00

Ronnie O'Sullivan became the first player into the quarter-finals of the Maplin UK Championship with a comprehensive win over Stephen Maguire.


The Rocket took the four frames he needed today to complete a 9-3 success.

Breaks of 82, 66, 100 and 110 allowed the Chigwell cueman to race through within an hour at the York Barbican Centre, setting up a meeting with Stephen Hendry or Mark Williams.

UK Champion in 1993, 1997 and 2001, O'Sullivan has been made hot favourite by bookmakers to collect a fourth crown and will be hard to stop if he continues his outstanding level of break-building.

"Stephen made a few mistakes and that gave me the chances to score," said the 31-year-old. "That's not the way I want to do it, I prefer to create my own chances. But it's a good win for me."

O'Sullivan was full of praise for his opponent, who won this tournament two years ago.

"He's got a better all round game than me," added the world No 3. "He puts pressure on you with his tactical game and he scores well, he's a fantastic player.

"When he beat me here and in the British Open a couple of years ago, I couldn't see anyone beating him. He was better than the other young players coming through, although Ding has now taken over from him.

"But I'm sure he will win big tournaments again before long."

Despite his own form, O'Sullivan is taking nothing for granted as he looks to the week ahead. "One day your opponent is off form but the next one you play might be flying," he said.

"There are no easy runs these days, the younger players are such good potters and they can crack them in from anywhere."

 Отправлено: 11.12.06 20:00. Заголовок: Re:

Армагеддон откладывается.

"A sport on the rise"

Экс-чемпион мира Джо Джонсон рассказал в интервью каналу Евроспорт, что нынешнее поколение звезд снукера сияет намного ярче, нежели его собственное - 980-х годов.

Джонсон выиграл Главный Приз снукера в 1986-м году, будучи аутсайдером, ставки на которого принимались из расчета 150 к одному. Тогда он переиграл первого номера в мировом рейтинге Стива Дэвиса в финале со счетом 18-12.

Уроженец Брэдфорда Джонсон играл тогда, когда на свой пик взошли звезды Стива Дэвиса, Джимми Уайта, Дэнниса Тэйлора и Алекса Хиггинса. Однако Джонсон утверждает, что стандарты игры невероятно выросли за последнюю декаду.

«Уверен, что нет такого спорта, который бы не улучшался со течением времени, и для снукера это тоже верно. Стандарты в настоящее время намного выше, нежели были в мое время.

Когда есть столько великолепных игроков, практически невозможно угадать победителя соревнования. Исход турнира может решить такая мелочь, как у кого на кие нашлепка лучше. Грань невероятно тонкая.

Снукер очень вырос со времен моей молодости, и, несомненно, это хорошо»,

Сейчас Джонсон находится в Йорке и готовится комментировать Чемпионат Великобритании для канала Евроспорт. Он также добавил, что, наконец, спустя годы попыток распространить снукер по всему миру, можно утверждать, что они увенчиваются успехом.

«Мы долгие годы старались принести снукер в другие страны мира, но сейчас кажется, что усилия начинают окупаться.

Я помню, как буквально после моей победы на Чемпионате Мира в 1986-м, лучшая восьмерка игроков отправилась в Китай, чтобы выступить на показательном турнире. В первый вечер никто не пришел – на пустой арене находились только восемь игроков и рефери. Но на второй вечер в зал набилось шесть тысяч человек, потому что накануне нас показали по телевидению. Так что мы всегда знали, что снукер обязательно укоренится в Китае, это только вопрос времени. А что бы не делали китайцы, они стараются делать это хорошо. Они отдаются делу полностью, настраиваются ментально и тренируются как проклятые.

Я думаю, что игра определенно развивается в правильном направлении. В World Snooker пришли люди, которые обеспечили надежность и доверие, чего не хватало в прошлом. И это доказывают последние несколько лет, когда в игре появились новые спонсоры в новых странах, открывшие новый рынки. Я буду в восторге, если снукер будут продолжать развивать по всему миру».

 Отправлено: 11.12.06 23:46. Заголовок: Re:

Big guns move on

Top guns ease through

какое разнообразие в названиях..

 Отправлено: 12.12.06 00:03. Заголовок: Re:

EBDON TOO STRONG FOR BINGHAM
11 Dec 2006 21:53:00

Crucible runner-up Peter Ebdon hopes he can go one better at the Maplin UK Championship.

The Dubai-based cueman comfortably saw off Stuart Bingham 9-4 at the York Barbican Centre to progress to the quarter-finals.

Ebdon, one of snooker's toughest match players, lost to Graeme Dott in the final of the 888.com World Snooker Championship in May and is planning to be around at the conclusion this time.

"I've prepared almost as hard for this as I do for the Crucible," said the 36-year-old. "I'm very proud to be in the top eight of the rankings and if you want to stay there you have got to do well in the big events.

"I prefer the longer frame formats and you nearly always get a strong line up in the latter stages of this tournament."

Basildon's Bingham trailed 6-2 overnight but was off to a fine start in the second session with breaks of 70 and 114 to reduce his deficit to two frames.

He had a chance in frame 11 but crucially missed the penultimate red on 38 and Ebdon cleared up for 7-4.

The former World Champion started the 12th with a 62 but Bingham had a chance to snatch it, only to miss a tricky final black. Ebdon slotted it in and added the next with a 50 to secure his place in the next round.

"Stuart didn't play well yesterday but he came back strongly today so I was delighted to get through," added Ebdon.

"The tables are playing beautifully here, which can be frightening because it means your opponent can reel five or six frames off without you getting a shot."

Ebdon could now face practice partner Ding Junhui, who leads Matthew Stevens 5-3.

The defending champion was off to a stunning start with runs of 63, 111, 92 and 100 to take the first four frames.

But 2003 UK Champion Stevens recovered to 4-2 with 66 and 74. Ding won the next frame of a high-quality contest with 60 and 54, but the Welshman kept his arrears to two frames with an 82 in the last.

© 2006 World Snooker.

 Отправлено: 12.12.06 00:56. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 12.12.06 01:41. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 12.12.06 05:46. Заголовок: Re:

Big names book last-eight places

 Отправлено: 12.12.06 06:06. Заголовок: Re:

Higgins impressive in York

 Отправлено: 12.12.06 20:04. Заголовок: Re:

Hendry recovers old glories at UK Championships

Ronnie wallops White

SNOOKER: Perry in UK battle

 Отправлено: 13.12.06 06:27. Заголовок: Re:

HENDRY READY FOR ROCKET TEST
12 Dec 2006 22:18:00

Stephen Hendry saw off Mark Williams at the Maplin UK Championship and eagerly awaits his clash with Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals.

The five-times UK Champion scored a 9-6 success over pal Williams at the Barbican Centre to reach the last eight of snooker’s second biggest ranking event.

The world No 1 led 6-2 overnight but soon saw his lead cut to just one frame. Williams took the first today with breaks of 40 and 38 then stole the next from 66-0 down, finishing with a brilliant black along the top cushion.

A 52 helped the Welshman make it 6-5. But Hendry responded by winning the next with a 43 and closed in on victory with a 92 for 8-5.

Williams won frame 14 on the blue to keep his hopes alive but when he missed the third-last red in the 15th at 21-53, his chance had gone.

"Mark wasn’t in form yesterday but he played some great stuff tonight and potted some incredible long balls," said 37-year-old Hendry, who has not won a ranking title since the Malta Cup early in 2005. "The frame I won to go 7-5 was a big one.

"If you have aspirations of winning this tournament, you have to beat the best in the world. Ronnie is the best, he’s fantastic to watch and he will be favourite.

"I can’t wait for the match. If I hit form I’ve got a great chance and it’s an opportunity for me to test my game. Slowly but surely my form is coming back."

The only player to have won more UK titles than Hendry, Steve Davis, is also through to the quarters.

The Nugget, six times a winner, got the better of a marathon tussle against Alan McManus, winning 9-7 at nearly half past midnight.

Tied at 4-4 overnight, last year's runner-up Davis pulled 8-5 ahead with a top break of 77. McManus battled back to 8-7 before Davis crawled over the finishing line after his opponent went in-off the blue at the end of the 46-minute 16th frame.

"I'm still very competitive and I want to do well here," said the 49-year-old. "It's been in the back of my mind that a good run here will boost my chances of staying in the top 16."
© 2006 World Snooker

 Отправлено: 13.12.06 06:30. Заголовок: Re:

Doherty sent tumbling out in York

 Отправлено: 13.12.06 18:23. Заголовок: Re:

Wizard aims to pocket UK title
Dec 13 2006

JOHN Higgins is hoping to hit top title-winning form after reaching the quarter-finals of the UK snooker championship in York.

The Wishaw Wizard enjoyed a comfortable 9-2 victory over Stephen Lee, having defeated Mark King 9-4 in the previous round, and now has his sights set on lifting the trophy to bookend a year which began with his epic Masters win.

He said: "This competition and the world championship are the two biggest ranking tournaments; I haven’t done well in them in the past few years, but hopefully I can change that as I have a good footing this week.

"I’m hitting the ball well, although it’s hard to judge how good my form is as this in only the third tournament of the season and I didn’t play in the Premier League.”

Twice a former winner of the UK title, Higgins will face Ken Doherty or Joe Perry for a place in the last four, with his rivals’ match due to be completed last night (Tuesday).

Higgins found himself 45-0 down in the first frame against Lee, but won it by hitting a 59 in response and then never allowed his opponent a look-in during the next three games with breaks of 128, 121 and 108.

It allowed him to surge into a 7-1 overnight lead, and he easily completed his victory in Monday’s opening session.

The Wishaw player had to mount a fightback in the early stages of his first game of the tournament, against Mark King, after finding himself 2-0 and 3-1 down, but he triumphed in the next four in succession to progress.

 Отправлено: 13.12.06 18:28. Заголовок: Re:

Practice makes perfect?


Dott: I'm not boring

 Отправлено: 13.12.06 18:31. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 13.12.06 23:54. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 14.12.06 01:52. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 14.12.06 18:33. Заголовок: Re:

O'Sullivan in dramatic UK walkout

 Отправлено: 14.12.06 18:50. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 14.12.06 19:48. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 14.12.06 20:45. Заголовок: Re:

The Rocket forfeited his best-of-17 quarter-final match against Stephen Hendry at 4-1 down at the York Barbican Centre.

The statement he subsequently issued read: "I wish I could have played a better game today, but I had a bad day in the
office.

"Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a perfectionist when it comes to my game, and today, I got so annoyed with myself that I lost my patienceand walked away from a game that with hindsight I should have continued.

"I wish I could have given Steven a better game, and I'm sorry I didn't stick around to sharpen him up for his semi-final.

"I'm also really sorry to let down the fans who came to see me play - it wasn't my intention to disappoint them, and for that I am truly apologetic. At this present moment in time I am feeling disappointed with myself and am hurt and numb, but I am a fighter and I will be back on my feet fighting stronger and harder than ever very soon."

 Отправлено: 14.12.06 23:52. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 15.12.06 01:12. Заголовок: Re:

 Отправлено: 15.12.06 16:05. Заголовок: Re:

former World Champion Joe Johnson fears that snooker may have seen the last of Ronnie O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan dramatically walked out of his Maplin UK Championship quarter-final clash against Stephen Hendry after just five frames.

The 31-year-old star insisted that frustration at his poor form prompted his actions and vowed to return to action "fighting stronger and harder than ever".

But 1986 World Champion Johnson believes that The Rocket's troubles run much deeper than he admitted - and said he hoped the sport had not lost another great character so soon after the sad loss of Paul Hunter to cancer.

"He obviously has something terribly wrong going on inside his mind," Johnson told eurosport.com.

"It could be that he feels he has let everybody down, that he says to himself: "That's it, I've had enough, I'm not going back".

"But I hope he hasn't packed the game in completely because snooker needs him.

"We have just lost a great player in Paul Hunter, and Jimmy White is no longer one of the main forces in the game.

"We need these type of players - and there are not may Ronnie O'Sullivans, are there?"

Johnson added that O'Sullivan's statement, released on Friday, failed to fully convince.

"His quotes seem manufactured to me," Johnson continued.

"They are not good enough excuses for walking out of the second biggest tournament in snooker.

"He has played badly before, lost heavily before, and not thrown the towel in. I think it is something more this time.

"I have played snooker for 40 years and there were plenty of times when I have wanted to walk out of a match. I'm sure every other player has felt the same at some point in their career.

"When everything is going against you and your opponent is on top, you hang in there and see it out, fight until the last ball. That is what we have been taught to do."

Johnson went on to say that he hoped O'Sullivan had close friends and relatives to talk to over the next few weeks.

"My first concern is for Ronnie, to see what brought all this on. I just hope he gets some help and gets himself sorted out. He needs to talk to somebody very close to him.

"I wouldn't like to speculate where Ronnie goes from here. Only Ronnie knows Ronnie will do."

Joe Johnson will be commentating for British Eurosport during the UK Championships from York.