Anthony Hamilton (snooker player)
Encyclopedia
Anthony Hamilton is an English
professional snooker
player noted for his strong break-building technique and distinctive appearance. He has spent five seasons ranked among the game's top 16, and fifteen in the top 32, reaching a career-high at number #10 in the world in the 1999/2000 season
. Known as a prolific builder, Hamilton has compiled 200 competitive centuries during his career.
. Hamilton has reached two ranking tournament
finals. In the British Open
in 1999, where he lost to Fergal O'Brien
– Hamilton opened with two centuries, but O'Brien won five frames on the final black to defeat the Nottingham man. The other was the 2001 China Open
. Mark Williams
beat him 9–8, despite Hamilton having led 8–5. He made the first of his four World Championship
quarter-finals in 2000, losing 3–13 to John Higgins.
, 2004
and 2007
), but without reaching the semi-final stage. In 2002, he lost 6–13 to eventual winner Peter Ebdon
. In 2004, he made two consecutive to come from 0–2 down to level at 2–2 in his quarter-final against eventual champion Ronnie O'Sullivan
, but eventually lost the match by 3–13. Hamilton's 438 points scored in this match are a record low for a World Championship Quarter-final. He also has the highest ever points total in a first-round match at the Crucible, 1271 against Chris Small
in 1999, though he lost this match 9–10. In 1997 he reached the second round; facing John Parrott
at this stage he scored 414 unanswered points in frames 1–5, but still lost the match (this is the second highest number of unanswered points in Crucible history; the record was set by John Higgins against Hamilton in the second round in 2000).
, losing 1–10 in the opening round to Mark Williams. However, a strong two seasons ensured that he reclaimed a top 16 place
.
In the high point of his campaign in the 2006/2007 season
, Hamilton reached the Welsh Open
quarter-finals by defeating both Joe Perry
and Dave Harold
, before losing his quarter-final match to Steve Davis
in a final- decider. After failing to win another match up to the 2007 World Championship
, he entered the Championship provisionally ranked no. 32.
However, Hamilton reached his fourth World Championship quarter-final in the 2007 event, pulling off a surprise 10–3 victory over Marco Fu
in round 1, and a 13–8 second round win over Ian McCulloch
(who had eliminated reiging champion Graeme Dott
in the first round). However, he failed again to advance to the semi-final stage, losing 7–13 to Stephen Maguire
. As a result he did not retain his top sixteen place, falling to #26 in the rankings for 2007/2008
,
The 2007/2008 season
produced little achievement of note for Hamilton, as he failed to reach the last 16 of any ranking event. He ensured his qualification for the 2008 World Championship with a 10–2 victory over Scott MacKenzie in the final qualifying round, but lost 10–3 to Stephen Maguire in the first round proper. This saw him drop from #26 to #31 in the World Rankings at the start of the 2008/2009 season.
In 2008/2009 Hamilton did not reach the last sixteen in any of the first five events, however he managed a run to the semi-finals at the 2009 Welsh Open. On the way he beat Peter Ebdon
, Michael Judge
and defending champion Mark Selby
. In the semi-final he led Ali Carter 3–0 and it looked as though he may reach his third ranking final but eventually lost very narrowly 6–5 to the eventual winner. Despite this run he lost his place among the worlds top 32 at the end of the season, slipping to number #33 as he lost 10–5 to Ricky Walden
in the qualifying for the World Championship.
In 2009/2010 season
Hamilton won only four of his nine qualifying matches. He won one match at the 2009 Shanghai Masters and the 2010 Welsh Open. His only appearance in the last 32 came at the 2009 UK Championship, where he lost 2–9 against Mark King
.
at the Shanghai Masters
, 1–3 against James McBain at the World Open
and 3–9 against Rod Lawler
at the UK Championship
. Hamilton also participated at the Players Tour Championship
, his best performance coming at the Paul Hunter Classic
, where he reached the final, but lost 3–4 against Judd Trump
. Hamilton finished 18th on the Players Tour Championship Order of Merit and qualified for the Finals
, where he lost 0–4 against Mark Williams
in the second round. Hamilton qualified for the German Masters
, by defeating Kurt Maflin
(5–4), Adam Wicheard
(5–1) and Stuart Bingham
(5–1) in qualifying stages. He reached the second round by defeating Pavel Leyk (5–1) and Neil Robertson
(5–4), before losing against Graeme Dott
(2–5). Hamilton couldn't reach the final stages of the last three ranking tournaments, as lost in the qualifying stages against Matthew Stevens
2–4 at the Welsh Open
, 1–5 at the China Open
and against Barry Hawkins
5–10 at the World Championship
.
Hamilton began the 2011/2012 season
ranked number 36
. Hamilton reached the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters
by winning winning five matches, but he lost 2–5 against Mark King
.
", after the eco-warrior. He now lives in Muswell Hill
, north London
.
In 2001 he suffered a broken wrist while attempting to come to the rescue of a friend who was mugged in a nightclub, an injury which kept him out of three tournaments and ultimately cost him his 2001/2002 Top 16 place
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player noted for his strong break-building technique and distinctive appearance. He has spent five seasons ranked among the game's top 16, and fifteen in the top 32, reaching a career-high at number #10 in the world in the 1999/2000 season
Snooker world rankings 1999/2000
Snooker world rankings 1999/2000: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 1999/2000 season are listed below.-References:...
. Known as a prolific builder, Hamilton has compiled 200 competitive centuries during his career.
1991–2000
Hamilton turned professional in 1991, entering the worlds top 32 in 1995/1996Snooker world rankings 1995/1996
Snooker world rankings 1995/1996: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 1995/1996 season are listed below.* Peter Francisco was banned for five years.-References:...
. Hamilton has reached two ranking tournament
Snooker world rankings
The snooker world rankings are the official system of ranking professional snooker players to determine automatic qualification and seeding for tournaments on the World Snooker Tour. They are maintained by the sport's governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association...
finals. In the British Open
British Open (snooker)
The British Open was a professional snooker tournament. It was a ranking tournament from 1985. The tournament has not been held since the 2004/2005 season....
in 1999, where he lost to Fergal O'Brien
Fergal O'Brien
Fergal O'Brien is an Irish professional snooker player. He has won one ranking title and reached two other major finals, and spent three seasons as a top 16 player.-Career:...
– Hamilton opened with two centuries, but O'Brien won five frames on the final black to defeat the Nottingham man. The other was the 2001 China Open
China Open (snooker)
The China Open is a professional snooker tournament. It is one of a number of ranking tournaments and began in 1997.-History:The first international snooker tournament in China was the China International in September 1997, a non-ranking tournament for the top 16 players and local players. The...
. Mark Williams
Mark Williams (snooker player)
Mark James Williams, MBE is a Welsh professional snooker player who has been World Champion twice, in 2000 and 2003. Often noted for his single-ball potting, he has earned the nickname, The Welsh Potting Machine...
beat him 9–8, despite Hamilton having led 8–5. He made the first of his four World Championship
World Snooker Championship
The World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England...
quarter-finals in 2000, losing 3–13 to John Higgins.
2000–2005
He has reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship on three later occasions (2002World Snooker Championship 2002
The 2002 Embassy World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 20 April and 6 May 2002 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England....
, 2004
World Snooker Championship 2004
The 2004 Embassy World Snooker Championship took place between 17 April and 3 May 2004 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.Mark Williams was the defending champion, but he lost in the second round 11–13 against Joe Perry....
and 2007
World Snooker Championship 2007
The 2007 888.com World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament began on 21 April and ran until 7 May 2007 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield....
), but without reaching the semi-final stage. In 2002, he lost 6–13 to eventual winner Peter Ebdon
Peter Ebdon
Peter "Ebbo" Ebdon is an English professional snooker player and former world champion renowned for his remarkably focused, determined style of play.-Early years:...
. In 2004, he made two consecutive to come from 0–2 down to level at 2–2 in his quarter-final against eventual champion Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan , is an English professional snooker player known for his rapid playing style and nicknamed "The Rocket". He has been World Champion on three occasions , and is second on the all-time prize-money list, with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen...
, but eventually lost the match by 3–13. Hamilton's 438 points scored in this match are a record low for a World Championship Quarter-final. He also has the highest ever points total in a first-round match at the Crucible, 1271 against Chris Small
Chris Small
Christopher "Chris" Small is a retired Scottish professional snooker player. His career was ended by the spinal condition ankylosing spondylitis.-Career:...
in 1999, though he lost this match 9–10. In 1997 he reached the second round; facing John Parrott
John Parrott
John Parrott MBE is an English professional snooker player and TV personality.He won the World Snooker Championship in 1991, defeating Jimmy White in the final. Two years earlier he had lost 3–18 to Steve Davis, the heaviest final defeat in modern times...
at this stage he scored 414 unanswered points in frames 1–5, but still lost the match (this is the second highest number of unanswered points in Crucible history; the record was set by John Higgins against Hamilton in the second round in 2000).
2006–2010
Hamilton did not fare well in the 2006 World ChampionshipWorld Snooker Championship 2006
The 2006 888.com World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament was held at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, and was scheduled for 15 April through 1 May 2006, but continued into the early hours of 2 May 2006. Ending at 12:52 a.m...
, losing 1–10 in the opening round to Mark Williams. However, a strong two seasons ensured that he reclaimed a top 16 place
Snooker world rankings 2006/2007
Snooker world rankings 2006/2007: The professional world rankings for the top 64 snooker players in the 2006/2007 season are listed below.-Notes:...
.
In the high point of his campaign in the 2006/2007 season
Snooker season 2006/2007
The snooker season 2006/2007 was a series of snooker tournaments played during 2006 and 2007. The following table outlines the results and dates for all the ranking and major invitational events.-Calendar:- Official rankings :...
, Hamilton reached the Welsh Open
Welsh Open (snooker)
The Welsh Open is a professional ranking snooker tournament. It replaced the Welsh Professional Championship, which started in 1980 and was only open to Welsh players.- History :...
quarter-finals by defeating both Joe Perry
Joe Perry (snooker player)
-External links:*...
and Dave Harold
Dave Harold
David 'Dave' Harold is an English professional snooker player from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. He is known by the nicknames of "the Hard Man" and "the Stoke Potter"...
, before losing his quarter-final match to Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
in a final- decider. After failing to win another match up to the 2007 World Championship
World Snooker Championship 2007
The 2007 888.com World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament began on 21 April and ran until 7 May 2007 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield....
, he entered the Championship provisionally ranked no. 32.
However, Hamilton reached his fourth World Championship quarter-final in the 2007 event, pulling off a surprise 10–3 victory over Marco Fu
Marco Fu
Marco Fu Ka-chun , commonly known as Marco Fu, is a professional snooker player from Hong Kong. He currently resides in Happy Valley. He is best known for winning the 2007 Grand Prix, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final, and for being runner-up in the 2008 UK Championship...
in round 1, and a 13–8 second round win over Ian McCulloch
Ian McCulloch (snooker player)
-External links:**...
(who had eliminated reiging champion Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott is a Scottish professional snooker player from Larkhall in Scotland. He won the 2006 World Championship, which was his first ranking title after four previous runner-up spots...
in the first round). However, he failed again to advance to the semi-final stage, losing 7–13 to Stephen Maguire
Stephen Maguire
Stephen Maguire is a Scottish professional snooker player.-Early career:Maguire almost qualified for the 2000 World Championships, leading eventual semi-finalist Joe Swail 9–6 in the final qualifying round before losing 9–10, but first served notice of his true potential by knocking out Stephen...
. As a result he did not retain his top sixteen place, falling to #26 in the rankings for 2007/2008
Snooker world rankings 2007/2008
Snooker world rankings 2007/2008: The professional world rankings for the top 75 snooker players in the 2007/2008 season are listed below...
,
The 2007/2008 season
Snooker season 2007/2008
The Snooker Season 2007/2008 was a series of snooker tournaments played during 2007 and 2008. The following table outlines the results and dates for all the ranking and major invitational events...
produced little achievement of note for Hamilton, as he failed to reach the last 16 of any ranking event. He ensured his qualification for the 2008 World Championship with a 10–2 victory over Scott MacKenzie in the final qualifying round, but lost 10–3 to Stephen Maguire in the first round proper. This saw him drop from #26 to #31 in the World Rankings at the start of the 2008/2009 season.
In 2008/2009 Hamilton did not reach the last sixteen in any of the first five events, however he managed a run to the semi-finals at the 2009 Welsh Open. On the way he beat Peter Ebdon
Peter Ebdon
Peter "Ebbo" Ebdon is an English professional snooker player and former world champion renowned for his remarkably focused, determined style of play.-Early years:...
, Michael Judge
Michael Judge
-External links:**...
and defending champion Mark Selby
Mark Selby
Mark Anthony Selby is an English professional snooker and pool player. Runner up in the World Snooker Championship 2007, he was the 2006 WEPF World Eight-ball Champion. Selby has won the Masters on two occasions, the Welsh Open and the Shanghai Masters...
. In the semi-final he led Ali Carter 3–0 and it looked as though he may reach his third ranking final but eventually lost very narrowly 6–5 to the eventual winner. Despite this run he lost his place among the worlds top 32 at the end of the season, slipping to number #33 as he lost 10–5 to Ricky Walden
Ricky Walden
-External links:**...
in the qualifying for the World Championship.
In 2009/2010 season
Snooker season 2009/2010
The snooker season 2009/10 was a series of snooker tournaments played during 2009 and 2010. The following table outlines the results and dates for all the ranking and major invitational events.- Calendar :- Official rankings :...
Hamilton won only four of his nine qualifying matches. He won one match at the 2009 Shanghai Masters and the 2010 Welsh Open. His only appearance in the last 32 came at the 2009 UK Championship, where he lost 2–9 against Mark King
Mark King (snooker player)
Mark King is an English professional snooker player. He has not yet won a ranking tournament, but came close when he was a beaten finalist in the 1997 Regal Welsh Open and the 2004 Irish Masters.- Career :...
.
2010–
In 2010/2011 season Hamilton failed to qualify for the first three ranking events as he lost 2–5 against Ricky WaldenRicky Walden
-External links:**...
at the Shanghai Masters
2010 Shanghai Masters
The 2010 Roewe Shanghai Masters professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 6–12 September 2010 at the Shanghai Grand Stage, Shanghai, China.Ronnie O'Sullivan was the defending champion, but he has withdrawn due to personal reasons....
, 1–3 against James McBain at the World Open
2010 World Open (snooker)
The 2010 12bet.com World Open professional ranking snooker tournament was held at the S.E.C.C., Glasgow between 18–26 September 2010. This was the first time that the World Open was sponsored by 12bet.com....
and 3–9 against Rod Lawler
Rod Lawler
Rod Lawler is an English professional snooker player. He turned professional in 1990. His best run in a ranking tournament was in 1996, when he reached the final of the International Open, beating World Champion Stephen Hendry 5–3 in the second round, but his run ended in the final where he lost...
at the UK Championship
2010 UK Championship (snooker)
The 2010 12BET.com UK Championship professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 4–12 December 2010 at the Telford International Centre, Telford, England.Ding Junhui was the defending champion, but he lost 8–9 against Mark Allen in the last 16....
. Hamilton also participated at the Players Tour Championship
Players Tour Championship 2010/2011
The Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 started on 24 June 2010 and ended on 20 March 2011 with events held in Sheffield and Europe. The televised finals took place between the top 24 Order of Merit players, who have played at least 6 events ....
, his best performance coming at the Paul Hunter Classic
Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 1
The Euro Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Event 1 minor-ranking snooker tournament took place between 26–29 August 2010 in Fürth, Germany....
, where he reached the final, but lost 3–4 against Judd Trump
Judd Trump
Judd Trump is an English professional snooker player from Bristol. He enjoyed considerable success in youth tournaments before turning professional in 2005. On 3 April 2011, Trump won his first ranking title, beating Mark Selby 10–8 in the final of the China Open...
. Hamilton finished 18th on the Players Tour Championship Order of Merit and qualified for the Finals
Players Tour Championship 2010/2011 – Finals
-Final:-Century breaks:* 143, 111 Mark Williams* 133 Anthony Hamilton* 128 Andrew Higginson* 126 Marcus Campbell* 116 Shaun Murphy* 113 Judd Trump* 110, 102 Michael Holt* 106, 100 Martin Gould* 103, 100 Stephen Lee...
, where he lost 0–4 against Mark Williams
Mark Williams (snooker player)
Mark James Williams, MBE is a Welsh professional snooker player who has been World Champion twice, in 2000 and 2003. Often noted for his single-ball potting, he has earned the nickname, The Welsh Potting Machine...
in the second round. Hamilton qualified for the German Masters
2011 German Masters
The 2011 German Masters professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 2–6 February at the Tempodrom in Berlin, Germany.The event was last held in 1998, but it was non-ranking...
, by defeating Kurt Maflin
Kurt Maflin
Kurt Maflin , is a Norwegian professional snooker player.-Career:He began playing snooker at the age of four, achieving a high break of 25 by the time he was five. He increased his time spent at the table practising...
(5–4), Adam Wicheard
Adam Wicheard
Adam Wicheard is an English professional snooker player. He turned professional in 2010, after finishing first in the 2009/2010 English rankings....
(5–1) and Stuart Bingham
Stuart Bingham
Stuart Bingham is an English professional snooker player. He was the 1996 English Amateur and World Amateur champion, but for many years was something of a journeyman professional. He had a run of strong results in late 2005, to earn him a top 32 world rankings place he has yet to lose...
(5–1) in qualifying stages. He reached the second round by defeating Pavel Leyk (5–1) and Neil Robertson
Neil Robertson (snooker player)
Neil Robertson is an Australian professional snooker player and the 2010 World Champion and World #4...
(5–4), before losing against Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott
Graeme Dott is a Scottish professional snooker player from Larkhall in Scotland. He won the 2006 World Championship, which was his first ranking title after four previous runner-up spots...
(2–5). Hamilton couldn't reach the final stages of the last three ranking tournaments, as lost in the qualifying stages against Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens
Matthew Stevens is a Welsh professional snooker player. Stevens has won two of the game's most prestigious events, the Benson and Hedges Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003. He has also been the runner-up in the World Snooker Championship on two occasions, in 2000 and 2005...
2–4 at the Welsh Open
2011 Welsh Open (snooker)
The 2011 Wyldecrest Park Homes Welsh Open professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 14–20 February 2011 in the Newport Centre in Newport, Wales. This was the first time that the Welsh Open was sponsored by Wyldecrest Park Homes....
, 1–5 at the China Open
2011 China Open (snooker)
The 2011 Bank of Beijing China Open professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 28 March and 3 April 2011 at the Beijing University Students Gymnasium, Beijing, China....
and against Barry Hawkins
Barry Hawkins
Barry Hawkins is an English professional snooker player. He has reached three ranking semi-finals, and spent five seasons inside the top 32 of the rankings. He has also played in the World Championship the last six years running.-Early career:Before taking up snooker professionally he was an...
5–10 at the World Championship
2011 World Snooker Championship
The 2011 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 16 April and 2 May 2011 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. It was the 74th edition of the event and was the last ranking event of the 2010/2011 snooker season...
.
Hamilton began the 2011/2012 season
Snooker season 2011/2012
The 2011/12 snooker season is a series of snooker tournaments played during 2011 and 2012. The following table outlines the results and dates for all the ranking and major invitational events.- Calendar :-New professional players:...
ranked number 36
Snooker world rankings 2011/2012
Snooker world rankings 2011/2012: The professional world rankings for all the professional snooker players who qualified for the 2011/2012 season are listed below. The rankings work as a two-year rolling list. The points for each tournament two years ago will be removed, when the corresponding...
. Hamilton reached the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters
2011 Shanghai Masters
The 2011 Bank of Communication Shanghai Masters professional ranking snooker tournament took place between 5–11 September 2011 at the Shanghai Grand Stage, Shanghai, China...
by winning winning five matches, but he lost 2–5 against Mark King
Mark King (snooker player)
Mark King is an English professional snooker player. He has not yet won a ranking tournament, but came close when he was a beaten finalist in the 1997 Regal Welsh Open and the 2004 Irish Masters.- Career :...
.
Personal
He is nicknamed the "Sheriff of Pottingham", and his distinctive goatee beard has also earned him the less flattering nickname of "SwampySwampy
Daniel Hooper is an environmental activist, sometimes characterised as an environmental protester or eco-warrior, from the United Kingdom...
", after the eco-warrior. He now lives in Muswell Hill
Muswell Hill
Muswell Hill is a suburb of north London, mostly in the London Borough of Haringey. It is situated about north of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. Muswell Hill is in the N10 postal district and mostly in the Hornsey and Wood Green parliamentary constituency.- History :The...
, north London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
In 2001 he suffered a broken wrist while attempting to come to the rescue of a friend who was mugged in a nightclub, an injury which kept him out of three tournaments and ultimately cost him his 2001/2002 Top 16 place
Snooker world rankings 2001/2002
Snooker world rankings 2001/2002: The professional world rankings for the top 32 snooker players in the 2001/2002 season are listed below.-References:...
.
Non-ranking
- Strachan OpenStrachan Open (snooker)The Strachan Open was a professional snooker tournament.The tournament was held in 1992, and was a ranking tournament.The following season, four so-called minor ranking events were held. These earned only one tenth of the ranking points of most other ranking tournaments, and were designed to...
– 1994, leg 1 and 2 - Australian Masters – 1995