Sam Craigie’s sensational snooker has forced him to relocate hotels in York - and he is now targeting UK Championship glory.
Tyneside star Craigie reached his first Triple Crown quarter-final with a stylish 6-4 victory over Ryan Day, after brushing past defending champion Zhao Xintong in the first round following two impressive qualifying wins.
Craigie has credited his superb resurgence on his ruthless practice regime reintroduced by his father and brother Stephen - also a snooker player. The talented 28-year-old has battled demons on and off the table during his time on tour, describing life in the sport as a ‘recipe for depression’. But confidence is at an all-time high after three centuries in his fine win over Welshman Day.
And after packing his bags and finding a new hotel room, Craigie will meet the season’s in-form player Mark Allen in an enticing last-eight clash. The battle at the Barbican Centre represents a meeting between two of snooker’s most free-flowing cueists.
“If I play well I should win because I’m scoring that heavy,” Craigie told Mirror Sport. “I’m making five frame winning breaks in a best of 11 so I just need to start making six - I’m slacking really!
“With the way I’m playing (Day) doesn’t feel that big of a win. If I was playing like I was six months ago it would have felt epic because every win was a pint of blood. The wins in this tournament have been pretty easy so it makes a change.
“In the last five years every match has been like a pint of blood. There’s been no enjoyment whatsoever, even when you win you’re not looking forward to the next match. This tournament I’m scoring heavily so it is sort of enjoyable.
“Snooker’s put me in places you wouldn’t even want to imagine - some of the things that go through your head on a daily basis sometimes. It can really get to you and snooker is one of the hardest games in the world.”
Craigie has a tempestuous relationship with the green baize but has grown frustrated at being repeatedly questioned on his dedication to snooker.
Four-time world champion Mark Selby defeated Craigie at the Northern Ireland Open this season. And after the match, Selby accused his opponent of not fulfilling his potential as he did not 'put the work in' when he helped sponsor the youngster as he came through the ranks.
Selby recalled stories of Craigie failing to turn up for practice in his post-match interview, which angered the world no.47. The remarks have changed Craigie's view of Selby, and he feels a player who has spoken so openly about his own struggles in the past should have been more respectful.
“I thought it was embarrassing to be honest," Craigie said. "Bringing up a story from, what, 10 years ago? I might be wrong but it was a long time ago and it was just absolutely irrelevant. I don't understand why he did it and I never will.
“It wasn’t hard to hear but it was more of a shock as to why somebody who went through bad experiences and mental health has openly tried to knock somebody else down. It was very bizarre timing.
“The funny thing is in Milton Keynes during lockdown, when we played the Championship League, he helped us out a little bit and gave us some advice. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Mark and he’s easy to listen to because he’s been there and done it. But ever since he said that it’s changed my opinion (on him). I’ve not spoken to him since."
Whilst Craigie's opinion of Selby has changed, he remains in awe of Ronnie O'Sullivan, the seven-time world champion who is red-hot favourite to add an eight UK Championship Crown to his collection this weekend.
“(O'Sullivan's) on his own level, you can’t even describe it," said Craigie. "You play some of the other top players and they just don’t put you under that sort of pressure. I don’t know how it does it - he’s just got something and gives off his energy that puts you bang under it."
World no.13 Shaun Murphy created headlines by launching a scathing rant against The Rocket, claiming the 46-year-old is a bad ambassador for snooker. But Craigie shares the same outlook on snooker as the apparently ambivalent O'Sullivan, and backed the impact he has made from his genius on the table.
“When it comes to doing things for the sport he’s the one that sells the tickets, he’s the one that brings the money in really," Craigie insisted. "Maybe he could do more but he can do what he wants. He’s the man that everyone wants to beat and if it wasn’t for him who knows how many tickets venues would sell.
“I’m the same so I get it. There’s so many times snooker gets you, he’s been through it in the past when he was younger so when you’re winning it's hard to be really happy. The other side of it is really bad so you just have to take it in your stride."
O'Sullivan is the man to beat in the tournament, but Craigie would not shy away from a battle against the game's greatest ever player. “Right now I’d like to play him and the way I’m scoring it would be a really good game!" he claimed. "From now to the final you want to play him. You’re gonna have to beat him if you want to win the tournament."
When asked if he could go on to win the event, Craigie was bullish: “There’s no reason why not. It would take somebody playing really well to beat me."
