Ian Graham (snooker player)

Ian Graham (born 17 February 1967) is an English former professional snooker player.[1]

Ian Graham
Born17 February 1967
Sport country England
Professional1988–1996
Highest ranking42
Best ranking finishQF (x2)

Career

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Amateur career

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Graham is from Watford.[2] During the 1986-87 amateur season he finished in the top 8 of the WPBSA Pro-Ticket series. In the subsequent play-off he defeated professional player Clive Everton 10-1.[3]

Pro Career

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Graham turned professional in 1988. [4] Playing as a professional, Graham has a run to the last-16 of the 1988 Canadian Masters, including a 5-2 victory over Eddie Charlton, but was denied a first ranking event quarter final being edged out 5-4 by home player, and former World Champion, Cliff Thorburn.[5] He came through matches against Graham Cripsey and Martin Smith to reach the final qualifying round for the 1989 World Snooker Championship, but was defeated 10-5 by Dean Reynolds one match from The Crucible.[6] After the start to his pro career, Graham finished the 1988-1989 season ranked 59th in the world rankings.[7]

Ranking event quarter finalist and Crucible debut

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He reached his first ranking event quarter final at the 1989 Hong Kong Open where he defeated James Wattana, Rex Williams, Tony Jones and Steve James before his run ended with a loss to New Zealand pro Dene O'Kane.[8] For the second consecutive season he reached the final round of qualifying at the Snooker World Championships, but did not make it to The Crucible as he was defeated 10-7 by Tony Drago.[9] He finished his second season as professional with his world ranking having risen to a career high of 51st following the 1989-90 season.[10]

In October 1990, he reached the last-16 of the 1990 Grand Prix with wins over experienced Welsh campaigners, Doug Mountjoy and Cliff Wilson.[11] Graham made his debut at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield as he reached the last-32 at the 1991 World Snooker Championship, with a win over Dene O'Kane in the final qualifying round, before losing to the ninth seed Steve James 10-3.[12] He finished the 1990-191 season with a career high world ranking of 42.[13]

In October 1991, he reached a second ranking event quarter final at the 1991 Grand Prix where he beat Jimmy White 5-4 before losing to Alan McManus.[14] He defeated former World Champion Dennis Taylor on his way to the last-16 of the 1993 British Open.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Ian Graham". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Snooker Scots to meet in semi-final". Herald Scotland. 26 October 1991. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  3. ^ Morrison, Ian (1989). Snooker - Records, Facts and Champions. Guinness Publishing. p. 139-140. ISBN 0-85112-364-3.
  4. ^ Janice, Hale (1989). Rothmans Snooker Yearbook s 1989-90. Queen Anne Press. p. 81. ISBN 0-356-17922-2.
  5. ^ Morrison, Ian (1989). Snooker - Records, Facts and Champions. Guinness Publishing. p. 78. ISBN 0-85112-364-3.
  6. ^ Morrison, Ian (1989). Snooker - Records, Facts and Champions. Guinness Publishing. p. 31-32. ISBN 0-85112-364-3.
  7. ^ Smith, Terry (1989). Snooker - The Players - The Shots - The Matches. Macdonald & Co. p. 186. ISBN 0-356-19507-4.
  8. ^ Janice, Hale (1990). Rothmans Snooker Yearbook 1990-91. Queen Anne Press. p. 262-263. ISBN 0-356-19102-8.
  9. ^ Janice, Hale (1990). Rothmans Snooker Yearbook 1990-91. Queen Anne Press. p. 325. ISBN 0-356-19102-8.
  10. ^ Janice, Hale (1990). Rothmans Snooker Yearbook 1990-91. Queen Anne Press. p. 15. ISBN 0-356-19102-8.
  11. ^ Janice, Hale (1991). Rothmans Snooker Yearbook 1991-92. Queen Anne Press. p. 309. ISBN 0-356-19747-6.
  12. ^ Janice, Hale (1991). Rothmans Snooker Yearbook 1991-92. Queen Anne Press. p. 360. ISBN 0-356-19747-6.
  13. ^ Janice, Hale (1991). Rothmans Snooker Yearbook 1991-92. Queen Anne Press. p. 19. ISBN 0-356-19747-6.
  14. ^ Whitehead, Eric (1993). The World Snooker Almanac. Eric Dobby Publishing. p. 37. ISBN 1-85882-009-X.
  15. ^ "snooker:Threat to Taylor's ranking". Independent.co.uk. 20 February 1993. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2023.