Sweet 16 for Walden
When snooker’s new world ranking list is released on Monday, Ricky Walden will join the game’s elite top 16 for the first time in his ten year professional career.
After winning the Shanghai Masters in October 2008, the Chester-based professional looked certain to achieve top-16 status, but narrowly missed out after a run of consistent, yet not brilliant performances.
Last season, he lost his way slightly, losing his first round match in four of the six ranking events, putting his place in the top-32 in jeopardy.
With the introduction of the Players Tour Championship, Walden seemed to regain his passion for the game and regular competition provided the incentive to work harder on the practice table.
His manager, Lee Gorton said “I am made up for Rick, he has worked hard over the past year, and it has paid off now. It is a massive achievement to break into the top-16. It is a very tough school on tour these days”.
Mark King is currently in 16th spot and sweating on whether Stuart Bingham can win his quarter-final against Mark Allen in Telford.
With only eight players left in the 12Bet.com UK Championship in Telford that is the biggest question remaining unanswered. A semi-final place will be enough for Bingham to climb above King and join Walden as a top-16 debutant.
