Crucible 2024 Seeds: Barry Hawkins

Hawkins was relentlessly consistent at the Crucible between 2013 and 2018 and won more matches over that period than any other player. His best run came in 2013 when he reached the final before losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan. Since then, Hawkins has reached the semi-finals on four occasions, but is yet to earn a second appearance in snooker’s biggest match. Hawkins’ excellent record over the long format makes him a contender every time he takes to the Crucible stage.

The Hawk returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since 2017 with victory at the European Masters, beating Judd Trump in the final. He went on to make the semi-finals of the Northern Ireland Open, but bowed out 6-4 at the hands of Trump. The Londoner has made two other quarter-final appearances at the International Championship and the World Open.

Hawkins' hasn't perhaps kicked on from his early season tournament win in the way he would have wished. However, his record at the Crucible will give his fans optimism he can go on another deep run this time out.

Many will put reaching the 2013 World Championship final down as Hawkins' greatest achievement. He beat Jack Lisowski, Mark Selby, Ding Junhui and Ricky Walden to make the title match, before his sprited 18-12 defeat to O'Sullivan. 

The Hawk's most lucrative tournament win came at the 2017 World Grand Prix. He swept aside an all-star cast which included Kyren Wilson, Neil Robertson and Judd Trump to make the final. It was Welshman Ryan Day who the Londoner saw off 10-7 to lift the trophy at the iconic Preston Guild Hall.