August 2016 - stuartbingham.com

STUART BINGHAM faces another ‘Battle of Essex’ at the Paul Hunter Classic – and this time he is determined to claim the bragging rights.

Ball Run was knocked out by Ali Carter in the last ranking event as the Chelmsford-based pro went on to record a memorable title win at the World Open in China.

Carter will be at the Stadthalle in Germany to defend his Paul Hunter Classic crown too, but it is Southend’s Sydney Wilson, 26, who will be Bingham’s first opponent early on Saturday afternoon (August 27).

Wilson is world ranked 87 and learnt his trade under the late Vic Harris, who also helped world No 2 Bingham with his game at the start of his career.

Bingham said: “I know Sydney a little bit and I think he practises at Ali Carter’s club in Witham now.

“He has had some good results and there will be a bit of local rivalry there again, but I feel it is one I should win if I play my A-Game.

STUART BINGHAM admitted his “big chance” at becoming world No 1 was ended with defeat to Ali Carter at the World Open – but Bull Run plans to work his way back into the running for top spot over the next couple of years.

Heading into the season’s third ranking event in China last month, Ball Run had a chance at becoming only snooker’s 12th-ever top ranked player if he won the title with current leading Mark Selby being knocked out early on (the full permutations are excellently explained by @ProSnookerBlog here).

But a nip-and-tuck 5-3 loss in round two to bogeyman and eventual champion Carter, after an opening 5-4 win over Stuart Carrington, means Bingham would now need a sensational run of results to challenge again this season, with Selby about £80,000 clear on the money list (the top 10 is pictured below).

The 2015 world champion explained: “That was my big chance gone. I won in Shanghai two years ago and also at an Asian Tour event and I’ll have those points coming off so this was probably my last chance at world No 1 for the foreseeable future. I would need another two good years now to be in contention.