Hawkins holds nerve to claim a third title
Snooker
Barry Hawkins won his first ranking title in three years when he survived a late scare to take the Ladbrokes World Grand Prix title on Sunday.
The Ditton player led Ryan Day 9-3 at Preston’s Guild Hall before eventually taking a 10-7 win to land his third title.
Hawkins previously won the 2012 Australian Open and the 2014 Players’ Championship, the latter ironically was also held in Preston.
“I’m so delighted to win another tournament,” said Hawkins. “I feel like I’ve been knocking on the door for a while.
“I’ve had a few disappointments on the way so I think I deserved that one.”
Hawkins, the world No.12, made five century breaks as he dominated the best-of-19 final but he held his nerve in the 17th frame to take the £100,000 top prize.
Hawkins told worldsnooker. com: “I felt so good at the start of the match and played so well.
“I didn’t feel like I could miss when I got in the balls. I got ahead of myself thinking I was going to make another century to win.
“If I had lost that last frame there I don’t know what would have happened. I just managed to hold myself together and I got a lucky kiss on the blue after potting the brown.
“You can miss anything under that kind of pressure.”
Hawkins is in action at the Welsh Open this week in Cardiff.
He was due to play his third round match against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh yesterday (Thursday).