Tag Archives: York Barbican

Robertson Sets Sights On Betway UK Snooker Championship In York

Neil Robertson is targeting success at the Betway UK Championship in York following his victory at last week’s Champion of Champions.

The world number three from Australia won his first title of the season in Coventry by beating Mark Allen 10-5 in the final. And the 33-year-old now heads to the York Barbican for the first Triple Crown event of the 2015/16 campaign.

The BBC-televised tournament runs from November 24 to December 6, with 128 players chasing the coveted trophy and a top prize of £150,000.

Robertson won the title in 2013, beating Mark Selby 10-7 in the final, to become the first overseas player to complete the Triple Crown, having won the World Championship in 2010 and the Masters in 2012.

“I will always have great memories of that moment,” said Robertson, who faces amateur Alex Taubman in the first round this time. “I love York because it’s a great venue and we always get great crowds. I’ll be preparing really well for it this time and trying to get the trophy back.”

Robertson made a slow start to the current season, losing his opening match at his first three events. But he has since built momentum, reaching the quarter-finals of October’s International Championship and then going all the way to the title in Coventry.

“I decided to spend five weeks in Australia over the summer which is something I haven’t done since moving to the UK 12 years ago,” he said. “It’s harder for overseas players like myself and Ding Junhui because we have to make that sacrifice.

“I took my son Alexander and partner Mille to Melbourne and spent a lot of time with family and friends. I didn’t play snooker at all and missed a few tournaments and I knew it would take me time to find my form again. But I’m very happy with the decision. And now I’ve got a big title under my belt it gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.”

Sponsors Betway make Robertson the 11/2 second favourite in a wide open betting market. Judd Trump edges favouritism at 5/1.

Neil Robertson photo credit: DerHexer, Wikimedia Commons, CC-by-sa 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode
Neil Robertson
photo credit: DerHexer, Wikimedia Commons, CC-by-sa 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode

Among the other star names battling for the crown in York will be Mark Selby, Judd Trump, Shaun Murphy, John Higgins and Stuart Bingham.

For the full draw and format see http://www.worldsnooker.com

Tickets for the final session on December 6 have already sold out, and other sessions are selling fast so fans are urged to BOOK SEATS NOW. Tickets start at just £6, for more information visit http://www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

UK Snooker Final Session Sold Out

The final session of snooker’s Betway UK Championship has sold out, with fans snapping up tickets for the showpiece tournament at the York Barbican.

It’s one of the sport’s Triple Crown events and always draws capacity crowds to the Yorkshire city to see the world’s best green baize stars competing for the famous trophy.

Ronnie O’Sullivan won last year’s thrilling final by beating Judd Trump 10-9 to capture the £150,000 top prize, and once again this year it will be a stellar line up for the BBC-televised event.

The tournament runs from November 24 to December 6 with 128 players contesting the title, and a flat draw which means that the top potters will face up-and-coming cuemen in the opening round.

The concluding session of the final on Sunday December 6 has already SOLD OUT and tickets for all other sessions are selling fast, so fans are strongly urged to get their seats booked.

Judd Trump
Judd Trump

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “Year after year we see snooker fans from York and beyond flocking to this fantastic event to see the best players on the planet. So I’m delighted to see that trend continuing this time.

“The atmosphere inside the Barbican is electric and this year is going to be something special with so many outstanding players in form. Get your seats booked now or miss out on a wonderful fortnight of live sport at its best!”

Tickets start from just £6, visit http://www.worldsnooker.com/tickets

The draw and format will be available after the seeding cut-off point on November 1st.