November 23rd 2024.
In a thrilling upset at the UK Championship, Barry Hawkins pulled off a major win by knocking out defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan in the opening round. It was a stunning victory for Hawkins, who had to go through qualifying to earn his spot in the tournament. After falling behind 4-2, he showed incredible resilience and determination to come back and claim a 6-4 victory, marking his first win against O'Sullivan since the 2016 World Championship.
Reflecting on his win, Hawkins couldn't hide his excitement. "It's been eight years since I've beaten him, so this win is definitely one of the biggest moments of my career," he shared. "I've played Ronnie so many times before and sometimes he's played really well, while other times he's been there for the taking and I've let my nerves get the best of me. But today, I felt strong and focused, and I was able to take advantage of the opportunities that came my way."
Despite O'Sullivan's recent struggles on the court, the eight-time UK Champion and top seed this week started the match confidently, scoring impressive breaks of 128 and 114 to take a 3-1 lead into the interval. However, a mistake after the break allowed Hawkins to close the gap to 3-2 with a break of 60. O'Sullivan quickly responded with a break of 69 to take a 4-2 lead, but Hawkins refused to back down.
Knowing that a win over O'Sullivan would greatly boost his chances of qualifying for The Masters, Hawkins dug deep and put on a remarkable performance. He won three consecutive frames to secure a 6-4 victory and a spot in the second round, where he will face the winner of the match between Xiao Guodong and Dave Gilbert.
While Hawkins celebrated his win, he also remained focused on the bigger picture. "This is definitely a great result for me, but I won't be satisfied if I lose in the next round," he admitted. "I know I have the skills to compete at this level, but sometimes I've let my nerves get the best of me. But today, I proved that I can beat the best player in the world."
On the other hand, O'Sullivan tried to see the positives in his loss. "Barry played a solid match and he deserved to win," he acknowledged. "He was consistent and took advantage of his chances. For me, I'm just enjoying being out on the court and playing the game I love. I try not to dwell on the past and instead look forward to the next event."
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