Can David Gilbert get back on track next season?
David Gilbert must have been cursing his luck when Ronnie O’Sullivan’s name came out of the hat. While a lot of the qualifiers for the World Snooker Championship had stated how much they would relish the challenge of taking on ‘the Rocket’ at the Crucible Theatre, Gilbert was simply hoping he could draw one of the lower-ranked seeds to increase his chances of a deep run in Sheffield.
Snooker World Champion:
But fate brought the 40-year-old on a collision course with O’Sullivan, who was one of the top favorites in the snooker World Championship betting, and although Gilbert played well in spells, the six-time world champion simply had too much quality in the end, progressing thanks to a 10-5 win.
For David Gilbert, it’s a disappointing end to a season that has had its ups and downs. He’ll forever look at the 2021-22 season fondly due to the fact that he landed his first ranking title. While the Championship League is not perhaps one of the more prestigious events on the snooker calendar, it was nonetheless an impressive display from Gilbert to get through the crowded field and defeat Mark Allen 3-1 in the final.
David Gilbert had long been considered one of the best players in the world to have never won a ranking event, but now he can shake off that millstone that was hanging around his neck, and focus on adding to his achievements.
UK Championship:
Indeed, he may feel disappointed that he didn’t give a better account of himself in some of the biggest tournaments this season. He lost unexpectedly to veteran Andy Hicks in the last 16 of the UK Championship; when it looked as though the draw had opened up for him; whilst Yan Bingtao put paid to his chances in the Players Championship in the first round. Indifferent form meant that Gilbert didn’t even make the cut for the Masters or the Tour Championship.
There has been a smattering of quarter-final appearances in some of the lesser events; and it’s felt throughout the campaign as though David Gilbert has just been lacking the quality to get past the last eight and really assert himself at the business end of a tournament.
The 2022-23 season will be a big one for David Gilbert. Ever since he lost the ranking points from his run to the 2019 World Championship semi-finals; his position among the sport’s elite has begun to crumble slightly. The challenge he’s facing is to re-establish himself as a top-16 player; and to do that he’ll either have to win a tournament that carries significant ranking points; or produce a campaign where he consistently reaches the last 16 or quarter-finals of events.
Either way, it’s a tough task facing him; and it’s fair to say that belief isn’t always a trait that comes easily to David Gilbert. There’s no denying that snooker is a game where mental strength plays a huge role; and that is an area where Gilbert perhaps lags behind some of the biggest names in the sport. The key to returning to snooker’s top table lies in reminding himself that he has more than enough quality to hold his own.
Conclusion:
Right now, David Gilbert might not be the first name in the snooker tips; but having earned his maiden ranking title this season; you wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually rediscovers his best form and charges right back towards the top.
