Barry Hawkins will make his fifth successive appearance at the World Snooker Championships after coming through qualifying last night (Monday).
The Dartford potter beat Ian McCulloch 10-7 to progress to the season-ending tournament at the Crucible, which starts next month.
Hawkins, who will play in the China Open later this month, admitted it was a tough game but could now look forward to another chance of breaking his duck at the World Championships.
He told worldsnooker.com: “That was a match and a half. You want to get there so badly and you just want to get over the line. I've qualified for China and it's horrible to go there when you are not in the Worlds when you get back.
“I've been at the Crucible four years in a row now but not won a match. The last three have been two 10-9s and a 10-8 so I'm getting closer. I just want to get through that first round, because after that anything can happen.”
Hawkins has endured a frustrating season but came into the qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield knowing one win would see him through. He faced the experienced McCulloch but quickly gained control to win the first session 6-3. Breaks of 66 and 109 were enough to see him grind out a vital win and book his place at the World Championships.
Rainham-based Gerard Greene will attempt to emulate Hawkins today as he plays Rory McLeod in his final round match.
POSTED: 09/03/2010 09:40:59
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