Barry Hawkins buoyed by win over Luca Brecel at Champion of Champions snooker - 'Can't play better than that'
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ByEurosport
Updated 15/11/2023 at 11:57 GMT
Barry Hawkins moved into the frame for a first Champion of Champions triumph with a 4-0 whitewash win over world champion Luca Brecel on Tuesday. Hawkins followed up his victory against Brecel by overcoming Robert Milkins 6-2 in the quarter-finals to win Group 2. "Against Luca, I didn't put a foot wrong," said Hawkins, who could meet 2021 winner Judd Trump in the last four on Friday night.
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Barry Hawkins reached the Champion of Champions semi-finals for the first time in his career via a stunning 4-0 whitewash win over world champion Luca Brecel.
The European Masters champion produced breaks of 128, 50, 59 and 108 against Brecel in a match that took just over an hour to complete in Bolton.
Hawkins went on to add two 83s and a 55 in a 6-2 quarter-final victory over Robert Milkins to win Group 2.
Hawkins will next face the winner of Group 3 – which contains Judd Trump, Shaun Murphy, Gary Wilson and women's world champion Baipat Siripaporn – on Friday evening.
"I'm delighted to get through the group," said world No. 12 Hawkins, who defeated Trump 9-6 in the European Masters final in August to end a six-year wait for a ranking title.
"All the groups are tough here because they're all tournament winners.
"To come through is really pleasing. They are all great players. It’s a short format in the first match, so it could be anyone who gets through.
"Against Luca, I didn't put a foot wrong. I can't play much better than that, really.
"It's a great arena, and a great event to be involved in."
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Hawkins celebrates his European Masters win over Trump
Hawkins admits he is adapting to the funky dress sense at the elite 16-player non-ranking event where players are fitted up with signature T-shirts carrying their respective nicknames on the back.
"At first, I thought we looked like darts players, but they're quite comfortable," said a player dubbed 'The Hawk'.
"You've got to mix it up I suppose. It's nice, a bit different."
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