Cue sports: Precocious talent dies

England's three-time Masters snooker champion Paul Hunter died yesterday aged 27 from cancer.

Hunter, who reached the world championship semifinals in 2003, was diagnosed with tumours in his stomach in March 2005.

Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Hunter continued to compete professionally but won only one match last season and fell from fifth to 34th in the world rankings.

Hunter was a precocious talent, turning professional at the age of 16, and won his first major title, the 1998 Welsh Open, at 19. He also won the Welsh title in 2002 and picked up the British Open trophy the same year.

But he will be best remembered for his three Masters victories, coming from behind on all three occasions.