Former World Snooker Champion John Parrott appears to be on the brink of calling time on his 27 year snooker career after he lost to Chinese teenager Anda Zhang in the World Championship qualifiers yesterday.

The 10-6 defeat leaves Parrott in the precarious position of 65th in the world, one place away from a spot on the tour next season and the 1991 Crucible winner was resigned in chances of competing again in the future.

“If I’m off the tour, it’s fairly certain that I’ll retire. I certainly won’t be playing any…”

Mark Selby came back from 4-1 and 9-6 down to defeat Ronnie O’Sullivan in a final frame thriller at The Masters last night.

Selby played some truly breathtaking snooker in the last 4 frames of the match to complete an unlikely 10-9 victory and pocket €150,0000 in the process.

After clinching his second Masters crown he said: “I thought I was dead and buried at 9-6. To play Ronnie anywhere it’s a great atmosphere but this was special. I just took it a frame at a time.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan was in self-deprecating mood in spite of producing a fine comeback against Neil Robertson in the second round of The Masters.

The Rocket, who came from 3-0 down to triumph 6-4, was particular harsh in his assessment of how he thinks he is playing right now and said: “I’ve played some good matches but I’m not the player I was when I was 15 or 16 when I could pot the long ones like Robertson and score.”

“The reason I was 3-0 down was because I made a bad shot in the first frame and another…

One man who has embraced Barry Hearn’s walk on music initiative at this year’s Masters is Mark King.

The world number 16 strode out to the dulcet tones of Ice Cube’s ‘You Can Do It (Put Your Back Into It)’ in his matches against Jimmy White and Stephen Maguire, but his 6-3 defeat to the latter last night signals the end of anymore ostentatious entrances at The Masters.

Maguire will now face the winner of Ryan Day vs Joe Perry, while King will no doubt reflect on what could have been, as he had enough chances to wrap up victory over the Scot.

Shaun Murphy and Mark Williams both chalked up wins at Wembley Arena on Monday.

2005 World champion, Murphy, beat Stephen Hendry 6-4 in what was the closest match yet of this year’s Masters, while Mark Williams overcame Rory McLeod 6-2 to book his place in round 2.

Murphy faces the winner of Mark Williams’ clash with Ali Carter next up, while for Hendry his search for a first title in 5 years goes on…

Jimmy White was sent crashing out of The Masters by Mark King on Sunday, with many prompting the question as to whether or not the ‘Whirlwind’ will ever grace Wembley again.

White, who was handed a wildcard for the event, went down 6-2 to the world number 16 and admitted afterwards that he felt “sickened” by the defeat.

White entered the Wembley Arena to the sound of Money for Nothing by Dire Straits, as part of Barry Hearn’s plan to add a touch of fun to snooker…

Mark Selby made light work of Ding Junhui in the second round of The Masters at Wembley, running out a comprehensive 6-1 winner.

Selby, who won The Masters in 2008, capitalised on some play from the Chinese sensation as he raced to 5-0 lead. Ding pulled one frame back, but Selby was not to be denied and closed the game out in the next to book his place in the quarter-finals.

The Jester from Leicester, who had to overcome an over excitable PA system during the match, will now face John Higgins or Mark Allen.

Barry Hearn, the man with more fingers in more pies than Mr Kipling, has been confirmed as the man to lead snooker into a new decade and breathe fresh life into the sport, which has been in serious decline for a number of years.

Hearn, who chairs the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), Leyton Orient Football club and promotions company Matchroom Sport, has promised a “fresh approach” to snooker.