The snooker Shoot-Out is a time for the game’s lesser-known stars to shine – and boy did Michael Georgiou take his chance.
The Cyrpriot was unanimously heralded the best performer of this short-format event over the weekend in Watford and as a result has landed what should be a career-defining moment.
Albeit controversial, Georgiou is now one of snooker’s ranking-event winners and feeling the magic of silverware in a sport he has dedicated himself to is just the start of the benefits he will enjoy.
He was excellent in this tournament. His thrilling win in a dramatic final against Graeme Dott really proved the potential appeal of this format but arguably it was his cool 109 clearance against Zhang Yong in the quarter-finals which won him the most supporters and gave him the momentum to land the title.
Given the pressures of playing against the clock, he took the balls in front of him impressively and did so throughout the rounds.
The 30-year old will now take pride of place in the upcoming World Grand Prix event in Preston virtue of climbing into the top 32 of the one-year raking list. He will also line-up in the prestigious Champion of Champions invitational event in Coventry later this year meaning his earning opportunities have now considerably grown.
But arguably the biggest perk for Georgiou will come next season where he looks provisionally in good shape to be among the world’s top 64 in the world rankings. This means he will draw a player from the bottom 64 of the rankings in the first round of most events as opposed to the top 64 as has been the case for him this season.
This immediately gives Georgiou the opportunity to win more matches, earn more money, consolidate his place in the top half of the rankings and safeguard his place on the professional circuit.
All this has come from one weekend of fast and furious baize action and shows the power of grabbing your chance with both hands. But in truth, Georgiou has been one of the sport’s most improved tour players this season. He’s a very hardworking professional and showed the wider snooker world just how well he can strike the ball.
Love it or hate it, this was without the best ever edition of the snooker Shoot-Out. It had drama at every corner and was a fine show which the players seemed to enjoy too.
In the cold light of day, it probably shouldn’t be a ranking event but that’s not Georgiou’s fault and it’s hard to argue that it doesn’t have some place in the game after World Snooker put on a thoroughly entertaining production.
