The Top Sixteen
- John Higgins
The rejuvenated World Champion will be chomping at the bit to get back in action in 2007. Already a winner in the Euro-Asia Challenge in Hong Kong during the summer is evidence of his determination to continue where he left off in Sheffield. A few lean seasons will have made his 888.com victory even more valuable and Cuefactor expects Higgins to feature heavily in the latter stages of tournaments all year.
2007/08 Verdict – Winner
- Graeme Dott
A ranking tournament winner in each of the past two seasons. Dott is without doubt the most determined and gritty player on Tour right now. This dogged style of play always makes him an opponent that players would rather avoid in the draw. Cuefactor can’t see him adding to his tournament haul in this campaign though.
2007/08 Verdict – Not Winner
- Shaun Murphy
Losing in the semi-final at Sheffield to Mark Selby was a huge blow to Murphy. Not the type of player to dwell on negative events, we are sure he will come back more determined than ever. Doubled his tally of ranking wins earlier this year when adding the Malta Cup to his 2005 world title – we think Murphy will have at least one trophy in his hands this time around.
2007/08 Verdict – Winner
- Ken Doherty
The likeable Irishman is a firm fixture in the top-16. Not won a title since Malta in 2005, but consistent performances have maintained his top 4 position. A first-round loser at Sheffield last season, Doherty will be keen to get back to winning ways, although Cuefactor wonders if we will see those Irish Eyes smiling on a final Sunday this season.
2007/08 Verdict – Not Winner
- Ronnie O’Sullivan
What can we say about the Rocket? The bookies favourite to win every event he plays, despite not having won a ranking event for over two years. The Saga Insurance Masters earlier this year was proof of what he is capable of. His double demolition of Ding Junhui further evidence that when Ronnie’s A-Game is on show he is simply unplayable. Unfortunately, for him and his millions of fans, the A-Game rears its head less and less often. Already withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters – 2007/08 is likely to feature its fair share of O’Sullivan stories.
2007/08 Verdict – Who knows!!! But Yeah, we think he will.
- Peter Ebdon
Possibly the most unorthodox of all the top 16 players. He takes on shots that most would refuse and refuses shots that most players would take on. That unpredictability combined with Ebdon’s sheer determination and will to win, makes him a difficult opponent and title contender. In recent years there have been two extremes to Ebdon’s game, from the sublime to the ridiculous. The up-and-down nature of his game would have to be seen as a weakness nowadays and we wonder whether the Dubai based player will lift many more trophies.
2007/08 Verdict – Not Winner
- Neil Robertson
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!! We like Mr.Robertson. He took the game by storm last season and was the only double winner on tour. Victories at the Grand Prix and Welsh Open have lifted him into the top 8 for the first time. Cuefactor expects him to build on that. A trip back to Australia will surely have recharged the batteries. We predict a slow start to the season but by the time 2008 comes in expect to see him battling it out on the final weekends.
2007/08 Verdict – Winner
- Stephen Hendry MBE
The legend that is Stephen Hendry – is that what he is becoming or does he still have another title in him. Cuefactor is beginning to think that Hendry’s best is well behind him now. We could be proved wrong though, Hendry is one of the most competitive sportsmen the UK has ever produced and nothing less than victory will ever satisfy him.
2007/08 Verdict – Not Winner
- Ding Junhui
The Chinese Hope was going great guns last season until O’Sullivan got the better of him at Wembley. He looked a troubled soul as the Rocket demolished him 10-3 in a dazzling display. The 19-year-old never recovered from that and disappointing results in Wales, Malta and his home event in Beijing followed before Ronnie also ended his Sheffield dream. A winner of the season opener in Northern Ireland last time around shows that the summer lay-off doesn’t affect is game. Hopefully, he will have had time to reflect on the good points of last season and put the disappointments behind him and get back on track.
2007/08 Verdict – Winner
- Stephen Maguire
A couple of seasons ago, Maguire was the hottest new talent to emerge in the game since O’Sullivan, Higgins and Co. He shot to number 3 in the world and looked set to be a regular winner on tour. He has moved backwards since then, but did show signs of consistency last season and reaching the semi-final of the 888.com world championship will have reassured any confidence issues he may have been starting to have. Maybe not ready to get back in the winner’s circle this time around but we expect him to contend the latter stages at least once.
2007/08 Verdict – Not Winner
- Mark Selby
All eyes will be on the likeable Leicester-man who captured the hearts of fans around the world with his outstanding performance throughout the 17-days at Sheffield earlier this year.
2007/08 Verdict – Not Winner
- Mark Williams
Out of the winning habbit since 2003 LG Cup, Williams did win the Pot Black Cup last season but for a player of his class, he would hardly consider that a major achievement. A healthy practice ethic in the off-season indicate that the double world champion hasn’t lost any desire and a new cue might just provide the spark that he has been missing in the past few seasons. John Higgins’ win in Sheffield will also encourage Williams to believe that he too can regain the winning ways that brought him the BBC Grand Slam in 2002/03,
2007/08 Verdict – Winner
- Stephen Lee
Still considered by many to have one of the best cue actions in the game. Personal problems led to him withdrawing from the China Cup in March. Perhaps it is difficult for Lee to really get his mind on the game in hand. Still working with Del Hill, he will be hoping that they can find the secret to success in 07/08, but we are not convinced.
2007/08 Verdict – Not Winner
- Ali Carter
Has never really fulfilled the promise that many thought he showed early on in his career. Loves the big matches against who he considers the ‘top’ players but too often comes unstuck against lower ranked players. Already thinking of a career post-snooker as an airline pilot. Forward planning is obviously a good thing but in this case not the kind that demonstrates the commitment or belief that he will get much higher up the rankings. A narrow loss in Sheffield to Selby, an all too familiar story.
2007/08 Verdict – Not Winner
- Steve Davis OBE
His 30th year as a professional and still in the top 16. Rarely performs at the highest level but also fights out a win when not firing on all cylinders. A skill that many of the younger players are lacking and one that is the key to Davis still avoiding the dreaded qualifying rounds. Sad to say but well past his best and more a case of halting the slide down the rankings than looking to move back up. Still one of the most popular draws in the game and all tournaments will be worse off when he is not there – make the most of ‘The Nugget’.
2007/08 Verdict – Not Winner
- Ryan Day
An exceptional talent that is on the verge of something special. A prolific scorer, an essential part of the modern game, Day has the game to destroy any opponent. Famously has had the likes of Higgins and O’Sullivan beaten but just failed to finish off the job. A winner all his life from junior level through to Challenge Tour, so when he finally relives that winning feeling, don’t be surprised to see him take a handful of titles in quick succession. A finalist in Malta last year, surely he will go one better this time around.
2007/08 Verdict – Winner
