Not just one but two ranking event semi-finals underline how well Hawkins has played this season and illustrate how well-deserved is his new found status amongst the world’s elite.

Wins over Tony Drago, Peter Ebdon, Jamie Cope and Michael Holt at the Grand Prix set up his first semi-final appearance of the season and he was unlucky not to make it into the final. Ronnie O’Sullivan’s greater experience was the deciding factor as he edged Hawkins 6-5.

The 26-year-old’s second semi-final came at the Welsh Open. Along the way he beat seven-times World Champion, Stephen Hendry, but came unstuck against Shaun Murphy in the last four.

Hawkins also has the distinction of successfully qualifying for all the ranking events in 2005/06 and, had it not been for Hendry’s win against him in China, he would have won all his first-round matches as well.

Unusually, he is the only Crucible debutant in the tournament this year and, with a tough draw against Ken Doherty, Hawkins’ chances of a winning debut are slim. In saying that, having beaten Ding Junhui to get to Sheffield, he will not be afraid of winning should he get the chance.

Prediction: First-round checkout