Below is the playing schedule for the Grand Prix, which runs from October 3 to 11, 2009.
Saturday 3 October 2009
1.00pm
John Higgins v Mark Joyce - 5-1
Marco Fu v Mark Davis - 4-5
7.00pm
Mark Selby v Ken Doherty - 3-5
Joe Perry v Marcus Campbell - 5-2
Sunday 4 October 2009
12.30pm
Ali Carter v Robert Milkins - 1-5
Ding Junhui v Matthew Stevens - 5-4
7.00pm
Ryan Day v Jamie Cope - 3-5
Neil Robertson v Gerard Greene - 5-3
Monday 5 October 2009
1.30pm
Stephen Hendry v Matthew Selt - 5-2
Peter Ebdon v Liang Wenbo - 5-2
7.00pm
Shaun Murphy v Barry Pinches - 4-5
Mark Allen v Ian McCulloch - 5-3
Tuesday 6 October 2009
1.30pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Jamie Burnett - 5-3 :-)
Mark Williams v Stuart Bingham - 5-0
7.00pm
Stephen Maguire v Nigel Bond - 5-3
Mark King v Ricky Walden - 5-4
Wednesday 7 October 2009
2.00pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan x John Higgins - 4-5 :-(
Jamie Cope x Mark Allen - 3-5
7.00pm
Neil Robertson x Ken Doherty - 5-2
Joe Perry x Barry Pinches - 5-2
Thursday 8 October 2009
1.30pm
Mark Williams x Stephen Hendry - 5-2
Peter Ebdon x Mark Davis - 5-3
7.00pm
Stephen Maguire x Ding Junhui - 1-5
Robert Milkins x Mark King - 5-1
Friday 9 October 2009
1.30pm
QF
John Higgins x Mark Allen - 5-1
Joe Perry x Neil Robertson - 1-5
7.00pm
QF
Mark Williams x Robert Milkins - 5-2
Peter Ebdon x Ding Junhui - 2-5
Saturday 10 October 2009
1.00pm
John Higgins x Neil Robertson - 5-6
7.30pm
Ding Junhui x Mark Williams - 6-1
Sunday 11 October 2009
2.00pm
Final
Neil Robertson x Ding Junhui - 4-3
8.00pm
Final
Neil Robertson x Ding Junhui - 9-4
Play will start at the allocated time each day with at least a 15 minute interval between matches.
The draw for Round 1 will be made within 3-5 working days of completion of the qualifiers on 24 September 2009. The draw from Round 2 up to and including the Semi Finals will be made on a random basis.
The order of play and table numbers for all matches up to the Semi Finals will be determined once the draw for that round is made and published by the Tournament Director.
All matches up to and including the Quarter Finals will be best of 9 frames, Semi Finals will be best of 11 frames and the Final will be best of 17 frames (7/10).
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Rob Milkins will be sporting a pink waistcoat and bow tie when he competes in the Grand Prix on Sunday, to raise awareness of Breast Cancer Care’s Pink Fridays fundraising campaign, in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
The world No 55 takes on new father Ali Carter at 12.30pm on Sunday and will be donning his tailor-made outfit to encourage people nationwide to get involved in organising pink-themed fundraising activities.
Former Irish Masters semi-finalist Milkins said: “I’m supporting the Pink Fridays campaign as our manager lost his sister to breast cancer six years ago, and it is a cause very close to our hearts. By raising awareness of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of campaigns like Pink Fridays, vital funds can be generated to support the 46,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.”
World No 25 Stephen Lee and amateur player Michael Wasley will also be wearing pink waistcoats at future tournaments to continue their wish to raise awareness for the cause.
Getting involved with Pink Fridays is easy to do and anything goes – as long as it’s pink-themed and gives you that ‘Friday feeling’! And, like Milkins, you don’t have to just stick to Fridays, you can choose to give a Sunday or even a ‘blue’ Monday that Friday touch with a Pink Fridays fundraiser. With five Fridays in October, there is plenty of time to organise a fun activity at home, school or in the workplace – why not wear something pink to your morning meetings, or get your fellow sports team to wear pink kit at the next team game?
Breast Cancer Care’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Murray Lindo, said: “We are thrilled that Robert is getting pinked up at the Grand Prix to support Breast Cancer Care. All funds raised are vitally important in enabling us to provide free information and support services for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK."
Register now for a free Pink Fridays fundraising kit, full of party ideas and fundraising tips. Visit www.pinkfridays.org.uk or call 0870 164 9422.
www.worldsnooker.com
Ronnie O’Sullivan expressed his admiration for Scottish snooker ace John Higgins as he looked ahead to the Grand Prix, which starts on Saturday.
The world ranking tournament at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow runs from October 3 to 11, with O’Sullivan among those aiming to take the trophy from Wishaw’s Higgins, who beat Ryan Day in last year’s final.
Though Higgins boasts three World titles and 20 ranking events in his career, O’Sullivan believes that his tally could have been a lot higher.
“John is one of the all-time greats and I think he’s actually under-achieved in his career,” said world No 1 O’Sullivan, who beat Higgins 6-1 in the semi-finals on his way to winning the recent Roewe Shanghai Masters. “It sounds a strange thing to say, but it’s because of how highly I rate him, and I know some of the other players would agree with that.
“He’s the best tactical player ever – ahead of Steve Davis – plus he’s a heavy break-builder, so he’s got no weaknesses. Although he’s won three world titles, his game is so well suited to the longer-frame tournaments that I would have expected him to win more.
“He’s come into this season automatically feeling full of confidence because he’s World Champion. That’s how I was last year and it’s a beautiful feeling,” added the Rocket, whose own trophy haul includes three World crowns and 22 ranking titles.
Chigwell’s 33-year-old O’Sullivan has won the Grand Prix just once – in 2004 when he beat Ian McCulloch in the final – but he is sure to be a strong contender next week, particularly on the back of his victory in Shanghai.
His opening match is next Tuesday (October 6) at 1.30pm against Glasgow’s Jamie Burnett. Other first round matches to look out for include Higgins against Mark Joyce (Saturday, October 3 at 1pm), Stephen Hendry against Matthew Selt (Monday, October 5 at 1.30pm) and Mark Selby against Ken Doherty (Saturday October 3 at 7pm).
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “Snooker is a sport close to Scotland’s heart. The country has produced many great players and the return of the Grand Prix to Glasgow next month has been eagerly anticipated by Scottish snooker fans who will be eager to see Scots John Higgins and Stephen Hendry in action at the Kelvin Hall. As well as local interest, snooker fans around the world will be able enjoy international broadcast coverage and they’ll see why Glasgow and Scotland is the perfect stage for the game.”
The Grand Prix receives funding and support from EventScotland and the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.
Tickets for the tournament are still available, for details call 0871 230 1092 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/grandprix
Below is the playing schedule for the qualifying rounds of the Grand Prix 2009, to take place at Pontin's, Prestatyn on the 21-24 September 2009.
Monday 21 September 2009
10am
Match 1 – Chris Norbury 2-5 Andrew Norman
Match 2 – Li Hang 5-4 Brendan O’Donoghue
Match 3 – Patrick Wallace 5-0 Mei Xi Wen
Match 4 – Bjorn Haneveer 5-2 Ian Preece
Match 5 – Xiao Guo Dong 1-5 Joe Jogia
Match 6 – Lee Page 1-5 Tony Drago
Match 7 – Lee Spick 0-5 David Gray
Match 8 – Matthew Couch 5-1 Jimmy Robertson
4pm
Match 9 – Noppadol Sangnil 1-5 Michael White
Match 10 – Atthasit Mahitthi 4-5 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Match 11 - Daniel Wells 5-2 Sam Baird
Match 12 - Stephen Rowlings 5-1 James Wattana
Match 13 – Craig Steadman 4-5 Mark Boyle
Match 14 – Simon Bedford 5-4 David Hogan
Match 15 – Matthew Selt 5-4 Jordan Brown
Match 16 – Ben Woollaston 3-5 Zhang Anda
Tuesday 22 September 2009
10am
Match 17 – Mark Joyce 5-2 Andrew Norman
Match 18 – David Roe 4-5 Li Hang
Match 19 – Joe Delaney 2-5 Patrick Wallace
Match 20 – Liu Song 5-4 Bjorn Haneveer
Match 21 – Tom Ford 5-1 Joe Jogia
Match 22 – Andy Hicks 3-5 Tony Drago
Match 23 – Peter Lines 5-4 David Gray
Match 24 – Robert Milkins 5-1 Matthew Couch
4pm
Match 25 – David Morris 5-3 Michael White
Match 26 – Rod Lawler 5-3 Thepchaiya Un Nooh
Match 27 – Barry Pinches 5-2 Daniel Wells
Match 28 – David Gilbert 5-4 Stephen Rowlings
Match 29 – Paul Davies 5-4 Mark Boyle
Match 30 – John Parrott 5-4 Simon Bedford
Match 31 – Jimmy White 2-5 Matthew Selt
Match 32 – Jin Long 2-5 Anda Zhang
Wednesday 23 September 2009
10am
Match 33 – Michael Judge 4-5 Mark Joyce
Match 34 – Mark Davis 5-3 Li Hang
Match 35 – Adrian Gunnell 5-2 Patrick Wallace
Match 36 – Jamie Burnett 5-4 Liu Song
Match 37 – Marcus Campbell 5-3 Tom Ford
Match 38 – Mike Dunn 5-2 Tony Drago
Match 39 – Martin Gould 4-5 Peter Lines
Match 40 – Andrew Higginson 1-5 Robert Milkins
4pm
Match 41 – Rory McLeod 4-5 David Morris
Match 42 – Alan McManus 4-5 Rod Lawler
Match 43 – Jimmy Michie 3-5 Barry Pinches
Match 44 – Anthony Hamilton 0-5 David Gilbert
Match 45 – Ken Doherty 5-4 Paul Davies
Match 46 – Ian McCulloch 5-4 John Parrott
Match 47 – Stuart Pettman 4-5 Matthew Selt
Match 48 – Dominic Dale 5-0 Anda Zhang
Thursday 24 September 2009
10am
Match 49 – Barry Hawkins 3-5 Mark Joyce
Match 50 – Steve Davis 0-5 Mark Davis
Match 51 – Ricky Walden 5-2 Adrian Gunnell
Match 52 – Graeme Dott 0-5 Jamie Burnett
Match 53 – Judd Trump 3-5 Marcus Campbell
Match 54 – Matthew Stevens 5-1 Mike Dunn
Match 55 – Nigel Bond 5-3 Peter Lines
Match 56 - Stephen Lee 3-5 Robert Milkins
4pm
Match 57 – Jamie Cope 5-3 David Morris
Match 58 – Gerard Greene 5-1 Rod Lawler
Match 59 – Michael Holt 4-5 Barry Pinches
Match 60 – Stuart Bingham 5-2 David Gilbert
Match 61 – Dave Harold 1-5 Ken Doherty
Match 62 – Joe Swail 4-5 Ian McCulloch
Match 63 – Fergal O’Brien 3-5 Matthew Selt
Match 64 - Liang Wenbo 5-3 Dominic Dale
All matches will be the best of 9 frames
The draw for the Last 32 round (to be played at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on the 3-11 October 2009) will take place on completion of play on 24 September 2009, and will be broadcast live, free to air, on 110Sport.tv.
www.worldsnooker.com
The first round draw for snooker’s 2009 Grand Prix will be available to watch live online, free of charge, on the evening of Thursday, September 24.
The draw will be staged at the venue for the qualifying rounds, Pontin’s in Prestatyn, and will commence shortly after the conclusion of the last match streamed by 110sport.tv
As recently announced, qualifying matches are available to watch, live and exclusive, on a pay-per-view basis on 110sport.tv. Once the last balls of the screened matches have been potted, the stream will become free to view and the draw will take place.
The qualifying rounds run from September 21 to 24. Former World Champions Steve Davis, John Parrott, Ken Doherty and Graeme Dott, as well as Jimmy White and Judd Trump (pictured), will be among those battling to get their names in the draw.
The Grand Prix is unique among World Snooker tournaments in that it encompasses a random draw for every round. The first round draw is seeded – so each of the top 16 will be drawn against a qualifier. Then the remaining draws, which take place live on BBC during the televised stages, are completely random, raising the possibility of the big guns going head to head in the second round.
The format was used for the first time last year and was considered a great success by fans and players, with the live draws adding an extra element of excitement. As expected, the second round featured clashes of the top players, with Ronnie O’Sullivan facing 2007 champion Marco Fu, and Great Scots John Higgins and Stephen Hendry going head to head.
Higgins will aim to defend his crown against the likes of O’Sullivan, Hendry, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby and home favourite Stephen Maguire from October 3 to 11 at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “Glasgow has produced a huge number of world-class snooker players over the years and this, combined with the city’s internationally renowned sporting facilities, makes it a natural home for the Snooker Grand Prix. We look forward to welcoming the event, the world’s top players and their fans back to Glasgow in October.”
Tickets are available – for details call 0871 230 1092 or visit www.worldsnooker.com/grandprix
The Grand Prix receives funding and support from the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and EventScotland.
www.worldsnooker.com
The matches below will be screened live on 110sport.tv on the first two days of the Grand Prix qualifiers.
You can register to watch the matches by visiting www.110sport.tv
Monday 21 September 2009
10am
Xiao Guo Dong v Joe Jogia
Bjorn Haneveer v Ian Preece
4pm
Stephen Rowlings v James Wattana
Noppadol Sangnil v Michael White
Tuesday 22 September 2009
10am
Liu Song v Winner of match 4
Andy Hicks v Winner of match 6
4pm
Jimmy White v Winner of match 15
Jin Long v Winner of match 16