By Richard Preen

World Ranking: 14
Date Of Birth: 04/06/77
Form: R32/R32/R16/R16/QF
World Championship best: Last 16 - 2002

The controversial Aussie is facing an end of season battle in a bid to regain his top 16 status for another season.

After a poor first half to the season Hann is finally beginning to achieve the results that could help him to remain in the elite.

Hann spends much of the season commuting between his home in Melbourne and the tournament venues across Great Britain.

Recently Hann has reduced his travelling to devote more time to his game and an upturn in fortunes seems to have emerged.

A quarter-final at the recent Irish Masters has restored some confidence along a with a last 16 appearance at the European Open. Prior to this improvement Hann had lost all four of his ranking event matches.

His current provisional ranking stands at 17 although a first round win at the Crucible should be enough to move up.

Hann is still to reach a ranking event semi-final although he has reached six quarter-finals which is the main reason for his top 16 ranking.

His World Championship best came last year where he had an eventful tournament.

After progressing 10-9 against Paul Hunter in the first round, he came up against Trowbridge's Stephen Lee.

His composure deserted him on several occasions and when breaking off in a series of frames decided to smash the pack open rather than playing the typical break-off shot.

Hann later defended his decision to play this shot although traditionalists are unlikely to be persuaded by Hann's argument.

As it was Hann was beaten 13-3 although he could be satisfied with his season's form which had helped him become Australia's first top 16 player since Eddie Charlton in 1986.

Hann is up against former World Champion John Parrott in the first round and is sure to be as unpredictable as ever.