UK Championship qualifiers - the final round

Thirty-two players are now just one match away from making it to this year's UK Championships in Telford.

The snooker calendar has faced a frantic shake-up this season, but this event still ranks in as the second most prestigious prize in the sport.

The qualifying matches have been bubbling away quietly over the last week, but now into the final round, the players who remain in the running, can smell the televised stages.

With the chance to play one of the top 16 players in the first round, there could be no greater incentive. 

We have 16 terrific ties in prospect being played on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Sheffield Academy. OnCue will keep you bang up-to-date with who progresses as the results come in, but for now, here's a look ahead to the action...



Stuart Bingham v Peter Lines

World number 45 Lines enjoyed an incredible run to the quarter-finals of last year's UK Championship. Beating both Marco Fu and Mark Williams at the venue in Telford, he'll fancy another good run, but in his way is an in-form Stuart Bingham, who has been a consistent performer at this season's PTC events. Lines has already played 33 frames in this year's qualifying campaign coming past Nigel Bond and Andrew Pagett in his first two tightly-contested mathces. Bingham will be fresh, but will have to beat a man who is developing a real romance with this competition. The winner will face a glamour tie with Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round proper.


Ken Doherty v Rod Lawler

Liverpudlian Lawler has cruised past his first two opponents Ben Woollaston and Anthony Hamilton with comfortable 9-3 wins. He looks in fine nick despite a disappointing start to the season that has seen him tumble to 58 in the rankings. Doherty had a great season last year and looks like he's in the zone again so far. I'm sure he'd welcome a return to the televised stage.

Ricky Walden v Liu Chuang

Walden is a massive favourite against world number 73 Chaung but off the back of three wins in qualifying, his tail will be up. The 20-year-old Chinese cueman is enjoying his second spell on the professional tour, and is definitely seizing his opportunity. Impressive wins against Igor Figueiredo, Jimmy Michie and Alan McManus have proved he's no pushover but Walden will be a far sterner test, as a player on the cusp of breaking the top 16.


Martin Gould v James Wattana

Martin has been one of the real success stories of this season, taking full advantage of extra events available to play in. That ultimately means nothing though, as he'll want to make it to the televised stages of the UK and World Championships to make this season a real success. James Wattana, who has already progressed through three qualifying rounds stands in his way. Even though he's on the bigger event stage, don't expect Gould to change his style. He'll go for his pots and will take some stopping.

Barry Hawkins v Fergal O'Brien

After a poor 2009/10 season, Fergal is beginning to play his way back into form. He beat a tough Jamie Jones 9-4 in his last match, but is now the underdog against a very solid  Hawkins, who will want to make this an open game. O'Brien will be hoping his astute safety play can earn him a scalp. He'll need all his grit to progress past Hawkins, who has got his eyes set on a return to the elite.

Stephen Lee v David Gilbert

Gilbert has been on a great run already in these qualifiers overcoming Issara Kaichaiwong, Andy Hicks and Barry Pinches, but Lee presents an even bigger challenge. After making it through to the last 48 at both the Shanghai Masters and Grand Prix last season, Gilbert be hoping he's due going a bit further. Lee though is returning to form and will fancy the prospect of a last 32 clash with John Higgins. Unless Gilbert can limit Lee to only half chances, it could be curtains.

Matthew Stevens v Robert Milkins

This match has all the makings as one of the tie's of the round. Stevens is still one of the most popular players in the game despite falling out of the top 16, and Milkins likes to get in the balls and score heavily. Neither of these players will want to hang around. The tempo will right up there, as they both try to attack their way to Telford.


Gerard Greene v Tom Ford

Both of these players qualified for the UK Championships last season and were eliminated in the first round after poor displays. They'll want to put this right this year, and both have found decent form so far this season. They're two capable long potters but can both sometimes suffer in the temperament department. Either man could win this game. There's not much between them. It all rests on the day.

Judd Trump v Xiao Goudong

We all know about the talent of Judd Trump but he'll need to be wary as he's been handed the banana skin draw. Goudong is ranked a lowly 75 in the world, but back-to-back 9-1 victories against Reanne Evans and Michael Judge, as well as a 9-5 win over Stuart Pettman prove he's got the bit between the teeth to qualify. Confidence will be flooding for the young Chinese player, so Judd will have to tread carefully, because he'll not be afraid to take his chances.


Joe Perry v Jimmy White

There's no prizes for guessing who the fans will be cheering on in this one. But rather than just hopes of seeing Jimmy back at the UK Championship this year, there's real substance too. He's been in impressive form in his two qualifiers so far with a 9-1 trouncing of Adam Wicheard and a 9-4 win against Adrian Gunnell. He faces a tough player inPerry, who will feel he's due a good run. This could be a match to watch out for, as it could go the full distance.

Mark Davis v Joe Swail

Davis has been an ever present on the professional tour since the beginning of the 1991/92 season, but right now he's doing more than just make up the numbers. He's always been a dangerous qualifier but up to number 20 in the rankings, he's playing some of his best snooker right now. Swail matches him with experience and after his worst season to date last time around, he'll be desperate to win this one. A 9-2 thrashing of Simon Bedford shows he's hitting the cue ball well, but Davis is my tip.

Mike Dunn v Patrick Wallace

Dunn has got used to playing more than just the one qualifying event in recent years, but a good run of form this season has seen him fast-tracked to the final round. It'll be interesting to see how he performs coming into such a crucial match cold, especially against Wallace who enters this match with a hat-trick of 9-4 wins against EPTC6 winner Michael Holt, Anthony McGill and Jamie O'Neill. Wallace's momentum could be key.


Ryan Day v Jamie Burnett

Burnett rocked the snooker world when he made it to the final of this year's Shanghai Masters. He'll fancy another crack at the big time, but in his way is Welshman Day, who has been in barren form over the last 18 months. Ryan is still one of the most feared players outside the top 16 despite his demise.

Andrew Higginson v Dominic Dale

World number 25 Higginson is most famous for his run to the 2007 Welsh Open final. There's no doubt he can play, and has produced some of his best snooker in the bigger matches. After reaching the last eight in Shanghai, he'll want more success, but in his way is one of the twelve PTC winners Dominic Dale, who is capable of beating any qualifier on his day.

Liang Wenbo v Rory McLeod

Liang is a real attacking player. He's got a fantastic eye for a pot, but can be hit or miss. If playing well, he could blow McLeod away. But too often, he's not reached his best. Rory is a little more cautious but after a 147 in the PTC series, he has shown he can score. Another stand-out match here.

Steve Davis v Mark Joyce

This match is likely to be scrappy, but neither player will mind as long as they come out on top. Davis' natural strength is safety and he'll want to play to that. Joyce showed he can graft too coming out a narrow 9-8 winner in his last late-night match with Marcus Campbell yesterday. This game begins morning after a late finish for Joyce, so he may feel drained. Joyce's two wins before Campbell were both 9-7 against Jak Jones and Alfie Burden. Having already played 49 frames in this qualifying campaign, it'll be interesting to see if he's got anything left in the tank.