Malta to host another moment of snooker magic

When tomorrow, the white ball makes its first hit on the reds to mark the beginning of the second The Malta Cup, at the Hilton, the current World Snooker calendar of major tournaments would already be half-way through.

The Grand Prix, the UK Championship and The Masters are over and done with, now it's The Malta Cup to be followed by the Welsh and China Opens, culminating at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield with the grand finale of the World Championship.

Like in every contest, forecasting results and winners is part of the healthy enthusiasm that generates fervent interest among the fans and intensifies competition on the field of play.

Forecasting may be regarded only as guessing for eventual circumstances, temperament and luck on the day of play are the elements that determine the outcome of the final result.

This was so very evident during the past three major tournaments, each providing surprises, excitement and dramatic moments.

Surprises, like the outstanding performance of 18-year-old Chinese superkid Ding Junhui to take the UK Championship title after a memorable 10-6 victory over Steve Davis.

Excitement like when John Higgins produced a record-breaking performance defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-2 in the final of the Grand Prix where he made four consecutive centuries and scored 494 unanswered points... both records first to be seen in a televised event.

Dramatic moments when the 27th Masters final produced an extraordinary finish in which John Higgins responded to Ronnie O'Sullivan's initial break of 60 in the deciding frame with a nerveless 64 to snatch a 10-9 victory on the final black. What a build-up for this week's Malta appointment!

Winning two of this season's three major tournaments is definitely a positive indication of a sensational season for Higgins who seems well focused on his ambitions - "Winning the Masters this year has been a dream come true, but now I want to win the World Championship again" - foretells the Wizard of Wishaw with 18 world ranking titles to his credit.

One of these memorable victories he attained in Malta, the European Open 1977. Last year, he made the semi-finals of The Malta Cup.

Talking of favourite Scotsmen one cannot fail to name Stephen Hendry who with two semi-finals in the past three tournaments, comes to Malta most keen not only to retain his Malta Cup title but also to win his first ranking honour for this season.

Missing stars

Missing the Malta event will be Ding, who failed to qualify, and O'Sullivan. He committed himself to a pool tournament in the US prior to the confirmation of The Malta Cup.

Ironically, the US tournament has now been postponed and O'Sullivan, so powerful last season by winning five of the ten major titles, yet with only two finals defeats this season, feels 'gutted, gutted at not being able to play in Malta. I made a mistake, it's my fault.'

But players like Stuart Bingham, Allister Carter and Barry Hawkins definitely will not be missing this Malta adventure keen to consolidate their positive start to the season.

Hawkins remembers Malta well for his highest break ever, a 143, he attained during last year's The Malta Cup. So does Stephen Maguire, who had his first taste of glory here in 2004, winning a European Open title.

Great, all potential winners, but with so many other famous names in play, the likes of Steve Davies, Ken Doherty, Mark Williams, Graeme Dott, Matthew Stevens and Jimmy White how can one predict the winner?

Surprises can happen and these contribute to make tournaments more exciting.

A portrayal of such against-the-odds element in snooker is undoubtedly Shaun Murphy, also featuring in The Malta Cup.

Last year he made snooker history when he won the World Championship where he was only a qualifier and also the lowest-ranked player to take the title.

One also cannot fail to mention Malta's most favourite sportsman, Tony Drago who for over 20 years now has been acknowledged as one of the game's most charismatic players.

The enthusiastic following of the game here and also for the success past 'Malta' ranking events have had, World Snooker gladly assented to Snooker Promotions' request to have Drago play his Qualifying Round match in front of the home crowd.

In fact, Drago's match against Shokat Ali is undoubtedly the highlight of tomorrow's opening day programme.

In all, there will be six matches including the two 'wild card' matches involving locals Joe Grech and Simon Zammit and three other Round One matches that bring into action top-notch players Alan McManus, John Higgins and Paul Hunter.

Forecasting winners definitely brings forth various options. However, one forecast is unanimously defined - The Malta Cup will be another moment of magic to snooker enthusiasts and another instant of genius for the players.

The Malta Cup is being held at the Hilton Conference Centre in Portomaso, between tomorrow and Sunday. The event, organised by the World Snooker and Snooker Promotions, is sponsored by Air Malta, the Hilton Hotel, the Malta Tourism Authority and Malta Direct.