Barry Hawkins Eyes Crucible Glory After Heartbreaking Final Defeats
Here is my rewrite of the snooker article in a fresh, engaging style while maintaining the key facts and meaning:
Snooker star Barry Hawkins may have a reputation as one of the sport's unluckiest players, but the resilient Englishman is refusing to let his latest final defeats get him down. Despite coming agonizingly close to glory at the German Masters and UK Championship this season, Hawkins remains upbeat about his consistent performances.
The 43-year-old, affectionately known as "The Hawk", suffered his 13th ranking final loss in Germany at the hands of world champion Kyren Wilson. Just weeks earlier, he was denied the UK Championship crown by world No. 1 Judd Trump. However, Hawkins takes solace in the high standard of his play that has propelled him to two major finals already this campaign.
"I can't really complain about how the season is going," Hawkins told WST ahead of the World Open in China. "I've been to two finals. I have been three frames away from an unbelievable year."
The Ditton-based potter admits the narrow 4-3 loss to Wilson in Berlin stung, especially after his opponent faltered in several frames. "It was tough being so close again and knowing that Kyren missed a few and that I let him off in some frames," he reflected. Nevertheless, Hawkins cherished the experience of competing in the final before the passionate German crowd.
Looking ahead, Hawkins has his sights set on a strong showing at the Crucible after enduring early exits in Sheffield for the past six years. The two-time World Championship semi-finalist (2014 and 2015) is determined to recapture his best form on snooker's grandest stage, having already secured an automatic seeding for the tournament.
"In the last few years I've been beaten early on at the Crucible and lost at qualifying," he acknowledged. "I've guaranteed my place there as a seed again and that was my main aim at the start of the season. I'm looking forward to being there again and hopefully I can get back to performing well there."
Hawkins also opened up about his friendship with fellow Englishman Mark Selby, revealing the pair have a pact to support each other at tournaments even if one suffers elimination. "I spend a lot of time on the tour with Mark Selby. We've agreed that if someone gets beat and the other is still in the competition, we are going to hang about and wait for the other person," he explained.
Key Takeaways:
- Barry Hawkins remains positive despite suffering his 13th ranking final defeat at the German Masters
- The Englishman has lost two major finals this season to Kyren Wilson and Judd Trump but is encouraged by his consistently high level of play
- Hawkins is targeting a deep run at the World Championship after securing an automatic seeding, hoping to atone for six consecutive early exits at the Crucible
- The veteran shares a supportive friendship with Mark Selby, with the duo promising to stay at events to cheer each other on
