OnlineSnooker

BORN 29th June 1971
BIRTHPLACE Nottingham, England
TURNED PRO 1991
EARNINGS 00/01 Ł66,450
RANKING 19
HIGHEST RANKING 10
PERSONAL SPONSORS 110sport
Highland Spring
CD Bramall

Achievements

1995 - Australian Open
1995 - Australian Masters
1999 - British Open - Runner-up

Biography
The "Robin Hood of Snooker" made solid, if unspectacular progress through the rankings after turning professional in 1991. Anthony joined the elite top 16 in 1996, and it was a mark of his consistency that he did so without reaching a ranking quarter-final. He put that record straight in the 1997/98 season with quarter-final placings in the Regal Welsh and German Open, topped off with a semi-final in the Thailand Masters.

In 1998/99, he reached a ranking tournament final for the first time when he took on Fergal O'Brien in the 1999 British Open (April). He made two centuries in the first two frames, but eventually lost out 9-7.

Hamilton had appeared in the last 16 of the Embassy World Championship no less than nine times, but until 2000 had not made it beyond that stage. He managed to break his duck with a thrilling win 13-12 over Ken Doherty, before succumbing 13-3 to John Higgins in the quarter. He has been involved in other Crucible thrillers. On his debut in 1995 he lost 10-9 to Nigel Bond and in 1997 he plunged Jimmy White's army of fans into despair, beating the Londoner 10-9. His Crucible highlight came in 1995 with a break of 145.

Breakbuilding is one of his specialities and his career has been characterised by a string of centuries and total clearances.

He launched his professional career on the back of a win in the prestigious Pontins Open in 1990, beating Ireland's Joe Swail in the final and added two non-ranking titles in 1995, winning both the Australian Open and Australian Masters.

His 1999 ranking of No.10 was his highest position, but with just three quarter finals in the Grand Prix, Regal Scottish and Embassy World Championships to show for his efforts in 1999/2000, he dropped one place to No.11.

His hopes of climbing back up the rankings were dealt a serious blow after a nightmare start to the 2000/01 season.

Hamilton was forced to pull out of the British Open and the Grand Prix after breaking his wrist while helping a friend who was being robbed. It then took until the Thailand Masters for him to win his first match of the season. Although he reached the last 16 of the world championship, it was not enough to prevent him from dropping out of the top 16.

Away from the table, Hamilton likes shopping for second-hand clothes and socialising with his friends. In summer 2000, he effected a big change in his lifestyle by moving to London. Although he is alleged to own an exercise bicycle, he denies that he has a fitness regime.