Matthew Stevens corrected MC Rob Walker throughout his World Snooker Championship introduction on the Crucible.
Matthew Stevens earlier than his World Championship conflict in opposition to Barry Hawkins (Picture: BBC Sport)
Snooker star Matthew Stevens appeared visibly unimpressed after correcting MC Rob Walker throughout his World Championship introduction. The Welshman was in first-round motion in opposition to Barry Hawkins on the Crucible. Throughout Stevens’ walk-on, Walker introduced: “3 times a semi-finalist. He loves the lengthy body format. A UK Champion, a Masters winner and nonetheless a category act on and off the bottom, the Welsh Dragon, Matthew Stevens.”
But upon listening to the ‘thrice semi-finalist’ comment, Stevens regarded bemused. He held up 4 fingers and mouthed “4 occasions” earlier than showing irritated after which breaking into a smile as he made his method to the desk. It was, naturally, a pointed reference to the very fact he has reached the semi-finals on 4 events on the Crucible, not three. The match noticed the 48-year-old endure a 10-4 defeat in opposition to World No.11 11 Hawkins, bringing his World Championship marketing campaign to a untimely shut.
Forward of the competition, Stevens confessed to having a ‘love-hate’ relationship with the match, having been crushed within the 2000 and 2005 finals. “I’ve had so many good wins there,” Stevens informed the BBC.
“I’ve performed within the one-table set-up six occasions I feel, and I’ve received a great deal of scars from there, however I would not change something. I would in all probability change one or two outcomes, however that may’t be helped.”
He added: “I do get pleasure from enjoying however I have been a bit lazy lately. I have been saying that for the final 15 years so nothing’s modified.
“As an alternative of practising, I simply watch outdated YouTube movies of myself successful, and typically it really works and provides me a carry. I am going to play somewhat bit [before my first-round match] however not a lot.
Matthew Stevens throughout his match in opposition to Barry Hawkins (Picture: Getty Photographs)
“I preserve saying [I can do damage at a tournament] however I have not executed it. It is simply maintaining it up, I suppose. I beat Judd [Trump] in China this yr and in case you can beat somebody like that it is nearly being extra constant. I am nonetheless a hazard if I play nicely and may win any match.”
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Hawkins will go up in opposition to the victor of the Mark Williams vs Antoni Kowalski conflict within the second spherical of the match. Williams holds a 6-3 benefit heading into the night session of their match.
Zhao Xintong and Mark Allen are the one different two gamers to have secured their spots within the second spherical to this point. Xintong defeated Liam Highfield 10-7, whereas Allen edged out Zhang Anda by a 10-6 margin.
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