Snooker news: Barry Hawkins feels UNDERESTIMATED as he eyes World Championship glory | Other | Sport | Express.co.uk

Snooker star Barry Hawkins feels UNDERESTIMATED as he eyes World Championship gloryBARRY HAWKINS finished off Ding Junhui with a show-boating flourish to reach yet another Crucible

semi-final. By Hector Nunns 00:11, Thu, May 3, 2018 | UPDATED: 00:11, Thu, May 3, 2018 Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark

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The Hawk became the first man into the last four of the Betfred World Championship with a 13-5 demolition of China’s No1.

Hawkins, 39, a former runner-up but chasing a first world title, has now been a semi-finalist in five of the last six years.

And the world No6 has won an incredible 18 matches at the Crucible since 2013 – more even than three-time winner Mark Selby.

The underrated Hawkins could not resist a gleeful ‘no-look’ shot on the final black as he clinched victory with a century.

Hawkins said: “Maybe you can start to have a think about the title now, but we are still only halfway in terms of frames played. I have a chance.

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Barry Hawkins believes he can now win the World Championship It is possible I am still underestimated and not often mentioned as a possible world champion

Barry Hawkins

“I did have a look round as I tried the final black, my cousin and my friends were up in the seats. I was enjoying myself and it was a bit of fun, nothing against Ding. I missed it anyway

and looked daft!

“To have won more matches here in recent years than Mark Selby takes some doing.

“It is possible I am still underestimated and not often mentioned as a possible world champion – but I don’t care. I play for myself and my family.

“Ding looked like he gave up in the end, his body language said he didn’t fancy the job.”

World No3 Ding, doing a good Confucius impression, said: “Belief is belief – but matches are the truth. I just didn’t play well at all, but Barry can win it.”

Kyren Wilson reached his first Crucible semi-final with a ‘revenge’ victory over Masters champion Mark Allen.

GETTY

The 26-year-old from Kettering was left devastated after losing to Northern Irishman Allen in the final at Alexandra Palace in January.

But world No9 Wilson broke Allen’s resistance in a second session that saw him win seven frames out of eight and establish an 11-5 lead, and went on to win 13-6.

Wilson said: “It is a special feeling to be into a first Crucible semi-final. It was always a goal of mine to get to the one-table set-up here. I can’t wait to get out there and experience

it.

“You have to seize on it if you feel your opponent is showing some weakness, and I felt Mark was struggling a bit.”

A disappointed Allen branded his display “pathetic” and “rubbish”.