Wednesday 16 February

2022 Ultimate Pool Challenger Grand Slam – Tournament Preview

Several high-profile names will be looking to claim the Ultimate Pool Challenger Grand Slam title this weekend and bank the £8,000 top prize.

Running alongside the Professional Grand Slam at the Players Pool and Snooker Lounge between the 18th-20th February, this is an additional event for players who have signed up for this year’s Challenger Series. Limited to 128 entries, it is a non-ranking event, but carries significant prestige with a total prize fund of £22,800 and with the semi-finals onwards set to be televised live on FreeSports TV.

Like the professional event, it will feature a double elimination qualification phase with 32 players making it through to the straight knockout rounds where everyone will receive prize money.

MAIN CONTENDERS AND DRAW

It may not be classed as a professional event, but there is certainly nothing amateur about the line-up with big-time event winners, former professionals and established internationals in the draw aplenty. Nine different nations are set to be represented.

There are notable first round clashes including former World Masters winner Callum Singleton up against Kristi Caulfied, who performed admirably and nearly won Monday night’s group in the Vinny.co.uk Champions League as a qualifier.

Another stand-out tie features two-time Mosconi Cup champion Mark Gray versus the highly-rated former professional Jez Graham.

Scotland has strong representation with former European champion Ryan Fleming, Marc Fleming and Morgan McInnes amongst their contingent, whilst firm contenders from across the Irish Sea are set to compete with Shaun Sharkey and Gary Clarke in the draw.

Other fancied names to look out for include former World Masters and European finalist Dave Fernandez, former Premier League winner Ian Ali and 20-time World Team and 2-time European Champion Lee Kendall.

Toby Bolt, Rikki Jones, Oussama Masskini, Kian Monaghan, Jake Dylan Newlove and Zak Shepherd are just some from a plethora of rising stars hungry for success. Also in that category is Tim Roberts, the ninth-place finisher on last season’s Challenger Series – one position off the promotion spots.

As mentioned, the semi-finals and final will be shown on the main arena on both FreeSports TV and ultimatepool.tv. Selected earlier round matches may also be shown on one of the three feature tables that are being covered.

Buy a 2022 Grand Slam Livestream Weekend Event Pass here for £7.99