2023 Champion of Champions explained

Tournament Name:2023 Cazoo Champion of Champions
Venue:University of Bolton Stadium
Location:Bolton
Country:England
Organisation:Matchroom Sport
Format:Non-ranking event
Total Prize Fund:£440,000
Winners Share:£150,000
Highest Break: (143)
Score:103
Previous:2022

The 2023 Champion of Champions (officially the 2023 Cazoo Champion of Champions) was a professional snooker tournament that took between 13 and 19 November 2023 at the University of Bolton Stadium in Bolton, England.[1] The 13th edition of the Champion of Champions since the tournament was first staged in 1978, it featured 16 participants, primarily winners of significant tournaments since the previous year's event.

As an invitational tournament, it carried no world ranking points. It immediately followed the 2023 International Championship which ended on 12 November. The winner received £150,000 from a total prize fund of £440,000.

Ronnie O'Sullivan was the defending champion, having defeated Judd Trump in the previous final.[2] However, O'Sullivan withdrew from the tournament, citing mental and physical health reasons, and was replaced by Ding Junhui in the draw.[3] [4]

Mark Allen won the event, defeating Trump in the final.

Format

The 16 players were divided into four groups of four. Each day, one group played two best of seven matches, and the two winners played a best of 11 frame group final. The four group finalists played in the best of 11 frame semi-finals, and the final was a best of 19 frame match played over two .[5]

The event was broadcast by ITV4, ITV3 and streamed on ITVX in the UK; by DAZN in the USA, Brazil, and Spain; Setanta Sports in Ireland; Viaplay in the Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland; VTM in Belgium; Nova in the Czech Republic, and Slovakia; Pragosport in Romania; Sportklub in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, and Slovenia; Saran Sport in Turkey; Rigour Media in China; Starhub in Singapore; Premier in the Philippines; Fox Sports in Australia; Sky Network in New Zealand; Supersport in South Africa; and by Matchroom Sport in all other territories.[6]

Prize fund

The breakdown of prize money for this event is shown below:[7]

Qualification

Players qualified for the event by winning events throughout the previous year. Events shown below in grey are for players who have already qualified for the event.[8] [9]

Qualification table
Tournament Date of tournament final Winner
2022 Champion of Champions 6 November 2022
20 November 2022
15 January 2023
1 May 2023
22 January 2023
5 February 2023
26 February 2023
2 March 2023
22 March 2023
2 April 2023
21 July 2023
27 August 2023
15 October 2023
12 November 2023
4 December 2022
18 December 2022
19 February 2023
8 October 2023
29 October 2023
1 October 2023
4 March 2023
2023 World Championship (runner-up) 1 May 2023
2023 Shanghai Masters 17 September 2023
7 May 2023
28 January 2023
11 March 2023
Player also qualified by winning another tournament

Summary

Group 4

Group 4 was played on 13 November. Jimmy White won the first frame against Mark Allen on the last, but Allen won the next four consecutive frames to win the match by, making a of 108 in the last frame.[10] Ali Carter made a 121 break in the sixth frame of the match against Mark Selby to take it to a, which Carter took to win the match .[11]

In the group final, Allen took on a lead with two centuries of 135 and 100, and went on to lead by . Carter made a break of 143 to close to, but Allen took the last frame with a 98 break to win the match, advancing to the tournament semi-finals.[12] Allen said after the match, in reference to his win at the 2020 edition of the event, which was played without an audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic: "It's nice to be back to a bit of normality, and performing in front of fans on the biggest stages in the biggest events is why we play. And I'm no different."[13] [14] [15] [16] [17]

Group 2

Group 2 was played on 14 November. Barry Hawkins defeated 2023 World Champion Luca Brecel with a, making century breaks of 128 and 108 in the first and fourth frames.[18] [19] The match between Mark Williams and Robert Milkins was level at after four close frames. Milkins won the next two frames with breaks of 74 and 64 to clinch the match by .[20] [21]

In the group final, Hawkins established a lead of over Milkins. Milkins closed in to, but Hawkins won the last frame with a break of 83 for a victory.[22] Hawkins commented afterwards: "I'm delighted to get through because all the groups here are tough with tournament winners. They are all great players. It's a short format in the first match so it could be anyone who gets through."[23] [24]

Group 1

Group 1 was played on 15 November. Defending champion O'Sullivan withdrew from the tournament, stating: "Mentally, I feel a bit drained and stressed and I want to look after my mental health and my body. I'm sorry to all the fans but I'll be back." O'Sullivan was replaced by Ding Junhui, the winner of the 2023 Six-red World Championship. John Higgins whitewashed Champion of Champions debutant Chris Wakelin by after a battle in the last frame.[25] Higgins commented: "[Wakelin] was getting the bad flicks. In a best to seven match, that can be the difference. I'm delighted to win but I need to play better." Entering the tournament on short notice to replace O'Sullivan, Ding faced compatriot Zhang Anda, who won the International Championship three days prior to qualify for his Champion of Champions debut. Ding quickly established a lead, making breaks of 74, 65, and 100. Zhang came back from behind in the fourth frame, winning three consecutive frames to even the score at, but Ding won the on the final black for a victory.[26] ITV pundit Ken Doherty praised the quality of the match: "[It was] the most incredible best-of-seven match I've ever seen. It had everything. Ding was one ball away four times from winning the match."[27]

In the group final, Higgins attempted a maximum break in the first frame, but missed the 13th red. Ding made a century break of 106 to level the score at . Higgins then won five consecutive frames with breaks of 83, 80, 93, 86, and 82 to win the match by .[28] Higgins said: "I can't play any better than that. I've had six 80-odd breaks. It was good and I really enjoyed it. Me and Mark [Allen] always have great matches. Last time he pipped me in the [2021] Northern Ireland final so maybe I owe him one back. I can't wait to play him."[29] [30] [31]

Group 3

Group 3 was played on 16 November. Champion of Champions debutant Baipat Siripaporn, who qualified through winning the 2023 Women's World Championship, was defeated in a whitewash by Judd Trump in a contest which lasted just 49 minutes.[32] Trump made a century break of 115 in the last frame.[33] He commented: "I feel close [to my very best]. Every time I get in I feel like I'm going to score heavy and every time I push I feel like I can score. I feel like there's always more in the tank at the moment." Gary Wilson also made his first appearance in the Champion of Champions, he faced Shaun Murphy, who won the first frame, and Wilson leveled the score at with a break of 58 in the second frame. Murphy won three consecutive frames to win the match by, making a century break of 107 in the fourth frame.[34] [35]

In the group final, Murphy lead by with a century break of 107 in the first frame, and Trump made breaks of 73, 84, and 54 to even the score at . From down in the seventh frame, Trump to win the frame on the last black. In the eighth frame, Trump was trailing by and needed two, he made another clearance to clinch the frame for a lead. Murphy made a break of 58 to close to, and Trump won the tenth frame with a century break of 107 to claim a victory.[36] [37] [38] Despite the win, Trump said after the match: "I felt like I played terrible, it's one of the worst I've felt all season. I didn't feel like my was there."[39]

Semi-finals

The semi-finals were played on 17 and 18 November.

Trump played Hawkins in the first semi-final on 17 November. After a safety battle, Trump narrowly won the opening frame. He went on to take five consecutive frames, making breaks of 69 and 71, to secure a lead. Hawkins won three frames in a row to narrow the score to, but Trump won the ninth frame for a victory of, securing a spot in his fifth Champion of Champions final.[40] [41] "Delighted to get over the line because it was getting a little bit twitchy at the end," Trump commented, "This is an event that suits me. The dress code, the format, everything plays into my hands and I feel relaxed in this event and at home with the format. I feel like it brings out the best in me."[42] [43]

Allen played Higgins in the second semi-final on 18 November. The score was tied at at the mid-session interval, Allen having made breaks of 73 and 91, and Higgins 65 and 68 breaks. Allen won the next four consecutive frames after the interval with breaks of 102 and 77 to win the match by .[44] [45] After the match, Allen said: "Any win against John's a good win, as the match went on, John made a few errors and that was the difference, because I felt I kept my level. If you had told me three or four weeks ago I'd be in this position I would have laughed because I was in a bad place, but I have been working hard on the right things and my confidence has come back."[46] [47]

Final

Trump played Allen in the final on 19 November.[48] Tournament director for Matchroom Pool,[49] Brendan Moore returned from semi-retirement to referee the match.

Afternoon session

In the afternoon session, Allen won the first frame with a break of 59, and Trump made a century break of 123 to take the second frame. Allen made clearances from behind in frame three and four, winning both on the last black to lead by at the mid-session interval. Allen went on to win four more consecutive frames to advance his lead to, making a total clearance of 137 in the sixth frame. Trump claimed the ninth and last frame of the session to narrow the deficit to .[50]

Evening session

In the evening session Trump won the 10th frame with a break of 77, but Allen won the last three frames to clinch a victory. After the match, Allen dedicated his victory to coach Joe Shortt, who died earlier this year, and Allen said "Joe Shortt's not here anymore. He was a big part of my life, not just on the table but off it, and me and my dad have lost one of our closest friends – so that was for Joe."[51]

Tournament draw

The draw for the tournament is shown below. Numbers in parentheses after the players' names denote the top eight seeded players, whilst players in bold denote match winners.[52]

Final

Final: Best of 19 frames. Referee: Brendan Moore
University of Bolton Stadium, Bolton, England, 19 November 2023
Mark Allen
103Judd Trump
Afternoon: 896, 0123 (123), 6854, 6362, 7548, 1370 (137), 6614, 658, 1368
Evening: 083, 6132, 750, 750
(frame 6) 137Highest break123 (frame 2)
1Century breaks 1

Century breaks

A total of 16 century breaks were made during the tournament.[53]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Champion of Champions . . 17 May 2023 . 13 November 2023 . 1 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101060200/https://wst.tv/tournaments/champion-of-champions/.
  2. Web site: Rocket land fourth Champion of Champions crown . . 6 November 2022 . 13 November 2023 . 13 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113064114/https://wst.tv/rocket-lands-fourth-champion-of-champions-crown/.
  3. Web site: Ding replaces O'Sullivan at Cazoo Champion of Champions . . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114154657/https://wst.tv/ding-replaces-osullivan-at-cazoo-champion-of-champions/.
  4. Web site: Walker-Roberts . James . Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'Drained and stressed' snooker star withdraws from Champion of Champions title defence . . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114123057/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/champion-of-champions/2023-2024/ronnie-o-sullivan-drained-and-stressed-snooker-star-withdraws-from-champion-of-champions-title-defen_sto9882659/story.shtml.
  5. Web site: Cazoo Champion of Champions . snooker.org . 12 November 2023.
  6. Web site: How to watch the Cazoo Champion of Champions . . 12 November 2023 . 13 November 2023 . 13 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113080448/https://wst.tv/how-to-watch-the-cazoo-champion-of-champions-2/.
  7. Web site: Champion of Champions Snooker . . 13 November 2023 . 13 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113064329/https://championofchampionssnooker.co.uk/.
  8. Web site: Cazoo Champion Of Champions Qualifying Schedule . . 28 July 2022 . 13 November 2023 . 13 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113064335/https://championofchampionssnooker.co.uk/tournament/.
  9. Web site: Champion of Champions Qualifying Schedule 2023 . . 13 November 2023 . 23 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023070612/https://championofchampionssnooker.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/COFC-Qualifying-Schedule-2023-2023.pdf.
  10. Web site: Mark Allen v Jimmy White . . 13 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115172857/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/bd628027-4aef-4bf1-9daa-429b8cd0546e . dead.
  11. Web site: Mark Selby v Ali Carter . . 13 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115172938/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/7937404a-9d50-4fe6-a6f7-4db376af6fcd . dead.
  12. Web site: Mark Allen v Ali Carter . . 13 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115173133/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/2c3dc63c-d1a1-41f6-a882-ce90fd0c9f7b . dead.
  13. Web site: Mark Allen reveals mixed emotions on Champions of Champions snooker title glory – 'It wasn't a lot of fun' . . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023.
  14. Web site: Southby . Ben . Champion of Champions 2023: Mark Allen cruises into semi-finals following crushing victory over Ali Carter . . 13 November 2023 . 13 November 2023 . 13 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113231219/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/champion-of-champions/2023-2024/champion-of-champions-2023-mark-allen-cruises-into-semi-finals-following-crushing-victory-over-ali-c_sto9882542/story.shtml.
  15. News: Champion of Champions: Mark Allen defeats Ali Carter to reach semi-finals . 13 November 2023 . . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114071140/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/67404018.
  16. Web site: Mark Allen Marches into Champion of Champions Semi-finals . . 13 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114071117/https://championofchampionssnooker.co.uk/mark-allen-marches-into-champion-of-champions-semi-finals/.
  17. Web site: Allen into Semi-finals . . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114142132/https://wst.tv/allen-into-semi-finals/.
  18. Web site: Luca Brecel v Barry Hawkins . . 14 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116230453/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/453d614d-e512-4735-b0b6-4fd2ed5ba4f5 . dead.
  19. Web site: Barry Hawkins buoyed by win over Luca Brecel at Champion of Champions snooker - 'Can't play better than that' . . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023.
  20. Web site: Mark Williams v Robert Milkins . . 14 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115173403/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/fddffb21-8a05-4d91-a5c8-7161bb40fae6 . dead.
  21. Web site: Mustapha . Ibrahim . Champion of Champions snooker: Robert Milkins beats Mark Williams to reach quarters, Barry Hawkins hammers Luca Brecel . . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114152947/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/champion-of-champions/2023-2024/champion-of-champions-snooker-2023-barry-hawkins-hammers-luca-brecel-to-reach-quarter-finals_sto9882944/story.shtml.
  22. Web site: Barry Hawkins v Robert Milkins . . 14 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115173457/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/bf1c456d-7c8f-4d1d-8354-7910e74705f9 . dead.
  23. Web site: Champion of Champions Snooker: Barry Hawkins survives late wobble to beat Robert Milkins and reach semi-finals . . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023.
  24. Web site: Hawkins Dominates Group Two . . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115024718/https://wst.tv/hawkins-dominates-group-two/.
  25. Web site: John Higgins v Chris Wakelin . . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115174132/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/3458c8b3-4c66-4e76-b2d6-33eae599e9ba . dead.
  26. Web site: Ding Junhui v Zhang Anda . . 15 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116230721/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/173de9f4-6a38-478d-ab78-c6b66dc0d415 . dead.
  27. Web site: Beattie . Darren . Champion of Champions snooker: John Higgins whitewashes in-form Chris Wakelin, Ding Junhui edges out Zhang Anda . . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023.
  28. Web site: Ding Junhui v John Higgins . . 15 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116230744/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/a2225fb9-5b8c-44a3-b089-99eddd2ef6df . dead.
  29. Web site: Jones . Matt . Champion of Champions 2023: John Higgins 'can't play better' after hammering Ding Junhui 6-1 to reach semi-finals . . 15 November 2023 . 15 November 2023.
  30. Web site: Higgins Beats Ding With Masterclass . . 15 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116231647/https://wst.tv/higgins-beats-ding-with-masterclass/.
  31. News: Champion of Champions: John Higgins thrashes Ding Junhui to book semi-final spot . . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116231104/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/67434887.
  32. Web site: Judd Trump vs Baipat Siripaporn - Champion of Champions Snooker 2023 . 16 November 2023 . . 18 November 2023.
  33. Web site: Judd Trump v Baipat Siripaporn . . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116141015/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/eba33289-cd52-4e3d-b0a8-2029783ff589 . dead.
  34. Web site: Shaun Murphy v Gary Wilson . . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116155231/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/fae7a9fc-98da-4376-a0ae-af76b0e344b5 . dead.
  35. Web site: Champion of Champions snooker 2023: Judd Trump claims whitewash victory over Baipat Siripaporn, faces Shaun Murphy next . . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023.
  36. Web site: Judd Trump v Shaun Murphy . . 16 November 2023 . 17 November 2023 . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117023503/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/74643996-5be3-4492-9421-37f7fa970e08 . dead.
  37. Web site: Mackenzie . Alasdair . Champion of Champions snooker: Judd Trump dips into bag of tricks in comeback against Shaun Murphy to reach semis . . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023.
  38. Web site: Trump on Track for More Success . . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . 16 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116231422/https://wst.tv/trump-on-track-for-more-success/.
  39. News: Champion of Champions: Judd Trump overcomes Shaun Murphy to reach semi-finals . 16 November 2023 . . 17 November 2023 . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117080206/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/67445758.
  40. Web site: Barry Hawkins v Judd Trump . . 17 November 2023 . 17 November 2023 . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117221702/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/eca683b7-ff80-4cd1-b832-cbe99efda87a . dead.
  41. News: Champion of Champions: Judd Trump beats Barry Hawkins 6-3 to reach final . 17 November 2023 . . 18 November 2023.
  42. Web site: Gent . Oli . Champion of Champions snooker: Judd Trump survives scare to book final place with win over Barry Hawkins . . 17 November 2023 . 17 November 2023.
  43. Web site: Trump into Bolton Final . . 17 November 2023 . 17 November 2023 . 18 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118002521/https://wst.tv/trump-into-bolton-final/.
  44. Web site: Mark Allen v John Higgins . . 18 November 2023 . 18 November 2023 . 19 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231119100325/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/398931d2-935a-455d-abbf-be2759facc1e . dead.
  45. Web site: Gent . Oli . Champion of Champions snooker: Mark Allen eases past John Higgins to book place in final against Judd Trump . . 18 November 2023 . 19 November 2023.
  46. News: Champion of Champions: Mark Allen beats John Higgins to set up Judd Trump final . . 18 November 2023 . 19 November 2023 . 19 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231119065407/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/67465593.
  47. Web site: Allen to Meet Trump in Final . . 18 November 2023 . 19 November 2023 . 19 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231119065700/https://wst.tv/allen-to-meet-trump-in-final/.
  48. Web site: Mark Allen v Judd Trump . . 19 November 2023 . 19 November 2023. 19 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231119202617/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://scores.wst.tv/matches/059e48c9-7c04-4f5a-91af-ecc3de208b78 . dead.
  49. Web site: World Snooker Tour . 6 April 2023 . . 2 May 2023.
  50. News: Champion of Champions: Mark Allen beats Judd Trump 10-3 in Bolton final . 19 November 2023 . . 19 November 2023 . 19 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231119211909/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/67469667.
  51. Web site: Allen crushes Trump in Champion of Champions final . . 19 November 2023 . 20 November 2023 . 20 November 2023 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231120070559/https://wst.tv/allen-crushes-trump-in-champion-of-champions-final/.
  52. Web site: Draw Made for the 2023 Champion of Champions . . 2 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114094359/https://championofchampionssnooker.co.uk/draw-made-for-the-2023-champion-of-champions/.
  53. Web site: Tournament centuries . snookerinfo.co.uk . 14 January 2024 . 14 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114234812/https://snookerinfo.co.uk/2023-24-centuries/ . live.

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