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BORN 21st January 1971
BIRTHPLACE Glasgow, Scotland
TURNED PRO 1990
EARNINGS 00/01 Ł122,301
RANKING 12
HIGHEST RANKING 6

Achievements

1994 - B&H Masters
1994 - Dubai Classic
1996 - Thailand Open

Biography
Having turned professional in 1990, Alan McManus won the WPBSA's Young Player of the Year Award in 1992. Following just two years as a professional, the Scot claimed a place in the top 16, and has been there ever since.

He soon established himself as a determined, methodical opponent and blasted his way to the latter stages of many tournaments.

Despite his early promise he has only won three major events from 20 finals, two of them in 1994. His first ranking tournament win was in the Dubai Duty Free Classic, where he defeated Peter Ebdon 9-6 in the final.

The 1994 B&H Masters was his greatest victory. He beat Stephen Hendry 9-8 in the final, and inflicted Hendry's first ever defeat at Wembley.

His second ranking tournament success came in the 1996 Thailand Open, when he displayed all the calm for which he had become renowned winning deciding frames in most of his matches. He recorded 5-4 victories over Alain Robidoux and James Wattana, then beat Ebdon 6-5 in the semi-final and Ken Doherty 9-8 in the final.

His best season since came in 1998/99 when he reached the finals of the Irish Open and the Thailand Masters, losing out to Mark Williams on both occasions. But from provisionally No.4 in the world, the 1999/2000 season was a disappointment for him, and from October until February he failed to win a match, putting pressure on his top 16 status.

Last season, McManus again slumped to a few surprising defeats - none moreso than his 10-2 first round defeat in the world championship - but reached the semi-finals of the British Open as well as quarter-finals in the China Open, Regal Welsh and Regal Scottish. He was also delighted to be part of the Scotland team which won the Nations Cup.

Off the table, his varied interests include roller-blading and sharks and he's no mean 'chef' either. A committed golfer, Alan likes a variety of music including U2 and Guns N' Roses. If Alan had his way, every tournament would be staged in his beloved Glasgow, and he has recently moved closer to the lively city centre.