Calabrese Wins Fourth Australian Open Title in Sydney

Vinnie Calabrese captured the Bob Hawke AC Memorial Australian Open Snooker Championship at Mounties in Sydney, Australia, defeating Daniell Haenga 6-2 to secure his fourth consecutive title at the event, according to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.

The 39-year-old Calabrese has now recorded 24 straight match victories at the prestigious tournament since October 2023, with his four championships moving him level with Shawn Budd for second place on the all-time winners list behind seven-time champion Steve Mifsud, according to WPBSA.

The victory also moved Calabrese to the top of this season’s Q Tour Asia-Pacific rankings, ahead of Hassan Kerde. WPBSA reported that Calabrese had previously won the season-opening West Coast International event in June.

Calabrese entered the tournament as defending champion and reached the quarter-finals after losing only two frames. In that round, he produced breaks of 65, 94, 58, 65 and 136 to defeat Steve Mifsud, with the 136 break becoming the highest break of the tournament, according to WPBSA.

He later completed another win over Mifsud by beating James 5-3 on the final day, securing a place in the championship match for the fourth consecutive year. His opponent was New Zealand-born Daniell Haenga, who reached the final for the first time since 2019.

Haenga reached the final after a difficult run in Sydney, winning three consecutive deciding-frame matches after advancing through the last 32 stage. WPBSA reported that his most notable result came in the semi-finals, where he recovered from a 4-1 deficit against former Oceania champion Cale Barrett to win 5-4.

In the final, Calabrese took control early by winning the opening frame on the black and building a 4-1 advantage. He completed the 6-2 victory with top breaks of 86, 65 and 43, according to WPBSA.