2024 Masters: Barry Hawkins Gears Up for Comeback

In the high-stakes arena of Alexandra Palace, Barry Hawkins faced a formidable challenge against snooker maestro Ronnie O'Sullivan. With a record of two-time runner-up in the prestigious tournament, Hawkins entered the match with a resilient spirit. The contest kicked off with O'Sullivan securing the opening frame through an impressive 88 break, setting a tone of intense competition. However, Hawkins quickly showcased his own prowess, responding with impressive runs of 74, 56, and 47. The left-hander's exceptional performance propelled him to a 3-2 lead shortly after the interval, setting the stage for a gripping battle between two titans. 

Despite this promising position, the left-hander faced a setback as he squandered several opportunities to widen the gap. Exploiting Hawkins' missed chances, O'Sullivan, aiming to end a seven-year title drought, seized control in his trademark predatory style. Displaying fine breaks of 77 and 60, O'Sullivan closed out the match with flair, advancing and positioning himself just two victories away from the coveted £250,000 first prize.

Interviewed post-match, Hawkins provided insights into the pivotal moments that shaped the outcome of the contest. At the beginning of the encounter, he spoke about the positive start, stating, "I don't what happened after that. I think we're three-two up feeling good, and then I had a couple of good chances I think to go four-two up."

Hawkins acknowledged the mental aspect of the game, highlighting the difficulty in maintaining focus and avoiding unnecessary pressure. He explained, "It's just sometimes your mind just quickly wanders for a little bit. You lose a little bit of focus, or you just put yourself under a little bit more extra pressure."

The experienced player expressed regret over missed opportunities that allowed O'Sullivan to capitalise. "You do something in a split second, you've given your chance away, and he's [Ronnie] back at the table again, and you can't believe what's happened really sometimes," lamented Hawkins.

Despite the challenges faced on the table, Hawkins refused to make excuses, dismissing factors such as the atmosphere or table conditions. "No, I've got no excuses. I can't blame the cold, can't blame the table. It's just all my own doing really," he asserted.

One notable point of contention during the match was a perceived issue with the pink ball. Hawkins explained, "Yeah, pink problem. Yeah, it's, it's called twitching. That's what it's called." He attributed his struggles to not getting on the pink enough times and losing focus during crucial moments.

Addressing the positives from the encounter, Hawkins acknowledged the great atmosphere surrounding the match. "It was a great atmosphere. It's just disappointing that I didn't get a result. But I'll be fine, just back on the practice table for me," he stated.