Adrian Gunnell hit by world snooker ranking shock
Shell-shocked Shropshire cueman Adrian Gunnell was today contemplating his future in snooker following his relegation from the main tour after 18 years.
Shell-shocked Shropshire cueman Adrian Gunnell was today contemplating his future in snooker following his relegation from the main tour after 18 years.
The 39-year-old, fromTelford, was beaten 10-8 by Sheffield's Adam Duffy in his opening Betfred.com World Championship qualifying match last night.
Defeat in that win-or-bust encounter means Gunnell will drop out of the world's top 64 and leaves him facing an agonising decision over whether to continue with a professional career which began in 1994.
Gunnell could attend next month's qualifying school where more than 100 players will do battle over three tournaments, with the 12 players reaching the semi-finals earning two-year cards on the main tour.
But he admits he is going to take his time before reaching a final decision on his future plans.
"I feel numb and it's strange to think I've dropped off the tour, because I'm playing as well I have ever done," said Gunnell, who has fallen foul of the two-year ranking system which operates in snooker and has paid the price for a disappointing 2011.
"When I woke up this morning, the thought of playing snooker again made me physically sick.
"But it's not the right time to be making a decision. I have had problems away from snooker in the past and a year ago I would have called it a day.
"But those problems are clearing up and the way I'm playing, I've got to think about going to Q School."
Gunnell was in control for much if of his clash with Duffy at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield.
He led 5-2 and 8-5, only for Duffy – who is from Sheffield and enjoyed sizeable support – to rally late on with breaks of 52, 59 and 86 to help him reel off five frames on the trot to set up a penultimate qualifying round clash with Jamie Burnett.
"I jawed the last red to go 9-5 up and he pinched that frame," said Gunnell.
"After that, I didn't really have a chance and he pulled out some ridiculous pots."
Twice World Championship semi-finalist and popular Maltese player Tony Drago is among the other players who have fallen off the tour this week.
