The list of the top moments of 2010 meets its climax
02. Steve Davis – Knock of the old
The second top moment of the year can doubtlessly be the shocking accomplishment of the 53-years-old snooker legend Steve Davis, as he performed stunningly in the qualifying round of the world championship in March, 2010.
Steve Davis is the most successful snooker player in the history of sport, six-time world champion; Steve has won the professional ranking titles more than any other player in the sport. Staying at the top-spot for seven years
in his career, Steve was ranked inside the elite bracket of top-16 at the age of 50.
However this year in the qualifying round of the Betfred.com world championship, Steve convincingly defeated Adrian Gunnell. Steve’s qualification for the most coveted event at the Crucible, for a fifth decade, has been widely
appreciated. A player above the age of fifty, qualifying for a world championship event is no joke, as hundreds of young players strive to get in to the event and emulate Terry Griffiths.
As the event started officially, Steve’s first match was drawn out against Mark King. Steve convincingly got the better off Mark, with a much applauded 10-9 close-call victory. Moving onto the next round Steve was greeted by the
defending champion, world number one John Higgins.
Their encounter came about as one of the biggest shocks of the year, as Steve Davis defeated Higgins after a rough-house match. The 52-years-old Davis played marvelous snooker and showed what a great player he is and has been.
As Steve led the session 6-2, many thought, what a player this guy might have been when he was young and at the peak of his career.
However Higgins famous for his fight-backs, indeed put up a great fight and leveled the score 9-9 and then 11-11. At this point in match Higgins was still up for the win, as Higgins was at the peak of both his career and form.
Nonetheless, the old hands proved to be stronger in the battle between snooker’s all-time-greats. In the deciding final frame Steve played genius strokes, potting the brown ball in a centre pocket and perfectly placing for the
blue one. “The memory of playing really big matches flashed every now and then”, said Steve. A 52-year-old cueist beating the defending world champion in a breath-taking match, was surely a big shock and for sure one of the greatest moments of the year.
01. John Higgins – Astonishing comeback
Following the six-month ban from the international competitions, the snooker critics and Higgins himself, was not sure whether he will be back in the form. Higgins was banned by the world professional billiards and snooker association
WPBSA, for allegedly agreeing to receive money in-order to influence the outcomes of matches.
The ban came at a time when Higgins was enjoying a peak time of his career, however after six months when Higgins returned to the world snooker scene he managed to win couple of minor-ranking PTC events. Despite his wins in the
PTC events no one knew whether he would ever be the same flamboyant Higgins ever again.
All the concerns were addressed, as Higgins made a ravishing come back by winning the UK championship titles. Higgins started off with the international high-ranking competitions in a shaky manner. However, after defeating Stephen
Lee in the first round of the championship, there was no looking back for the wizard of wishaw.
Moving on to beat Stephen Maguire, fellow scot Graeme Dott, and Mark Allen, Higgins confirmed his place in the final against Mark Williams. Runner-up of the previous UK championship, Higgins battled his way through to the finals,
to win the championship this time.
The wizard played with a magical touch, producing high-quality snooker of the season, as he led the final match by 9-5 in the first session. Winning the 17th frame amazingly, he scored a 52 in the next frame to level
the match with a score-line of 9-9. Producing another high class break of 66 in the deciding frame, Higgins punched the air glorified and delighted.
“It means a lot to me to be back in the international competitions and win again” said Higgins. Higgins dedicated his victory to his dad and family.