December 10th 2024.
At just 20 years old, Liam Graham made a surprising run to the final of the Snooker Shoot Out on Saturday. It was a bittersweet experience for him, as he loved every moment of it but was disappointed by his loss in the end. Despite being ranked 100th in the world, he defied the odds and impressed everyone by defeating top players like Mink Nutcharut, He Guoqiang, and Ali Carter.
Graham's journey to the final was not an easy one. In the one-frame format of the tournament, he was considered an underdog. However, he proved his critics wrong by beating some of the best players in the world, including four-time world champion Mark Selby in the semi-finals. It seemed like he was on track to win the tournament, but in a nail-biting final, he was narrowly beaten by Tom Ford.
The loss in the final was a tough pill to swallow, especially since Graham had a chance to win it all. He described feeling "annoyed" and "devastated," but also acknowledged that it was just one of those things in sports. Despite the disappointment, he was happy for Tom Ford, who had recently lost someone close to him and may have needed the victory more.
Graham was already reflecting on his experience at the Snooker Shoot Out and had a positive outlook on it. He said it was a lot of fun and that he couldn't have asked for a better run. Going into the tournament, he didn't have high expectations and was just hoping to win a few games. But as he started playing well and progressing through the rounds, he gained confidence. He also expressed his love for the tournament and hoped there would be more events like it, with more interaction with the crowd.
Speaking of the crowd, it was a controversial topic at the Shoot Out. Some fans crossed the line from friendly banter to outright abuse, which is never acceptable. However, Graham was fortunate enough to not experience the worst of it and actually enjoyed the unique and vocal atmosphere of the event. He said he could hear everything the crowd was saying, but it didn't bother him as he has thick skin.
One of the highlights of Graham's run to the final was his dramatic break to beat Ali Carter in the quarter-finals. With less than two minutes left on the clock and trailing by 37-6, he managed to pull off an incredible clearance and win the match 43-37. He described it as "one of the best dishes" of his life, especially considering the circumstances. He also mentioned how the scoreboard can be slightly delayed, causing confusion for players.
Although Graham didn't lift the trophy, he did walk away with £20,000 and jumped up to 85th in the world rankings. This gives him a good chance to keep his spot on the professional tour, especially through the one-year list. He earned his place on the tour last year but struggled to get wins, mostly playing in qualifiers away from the spotlight. However, his impressive performance at the Shoot Out has given him a chance to make the most of it and continue to improve.
Looking ahead, Graham is hopeful that his run to the final will serve as a springboard for his career. He wasted no time and was already focusing on upcoming qualifiers the day after the final. He knows what it takes to succeed on the tour, having experienced the grueling nature of qualifiers. However, he remains positive and is determined to push through and make the most of his opportunities. He also mentioned the stark contrast between glamorous televised events and the reality of qualifiers, where players are fighting for every point and a single ball can make or break someone's year. But Graham is keeping a positive mindset and is looking forward to what the future holds.
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