Barry ready to shine

The world number 12 faces Ken Doherty on Monday and could then play Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals of the prestigious Wembley Arena invitational event.

Hawkins said: "I have beaten the big players before but it all comes down to how well you play on the day.

"I have been training with Matthew Stevens to sharpen my game and I am just coming into some form.

"I am still trying to win my first professional tournament but I reached the quarter-finals of the 2001 LG Cup, losing 5-4 to Joe Swail, and lost 6-5 in the semi-final of the Grand Prix to Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2005.

"So I am knocking on the door of going all the way."

The 27-year-old from Kent reached the semi-finals of the Grand Prix and Welsh Open last season to move into the top 16 for the first time.

But the left-hander has not had a good start to the 2006-2007 season, losing in the first stage of all three ranking tournaments.