2–5 against Mark Davis and 4–9 against Higginson respectively. However he managed a run to the semi-finals of the 2009 Welsh Open. On the way he beat Peter Ebdon, Michael Judge and Mark Selby. In the semi-final he led Ali Carter 3–0 and it looked as though he may reach his third ranking final but eventually lost 5–6 against the eventual winner. Hamilton qualified for the China Open, by defeating Patrick Wallace 5–1, but lost 4–5 against John Higgins, and he couldn't qualify for the World Championship, as he lost 5–10 to Ricky Walden in the last qualifying round. At the end of the season he lost his place among the world's top 32, and was ranked number 33 in the next season. 2009–2010 In 2009–10 season Hamilton couldn't qualify for the first two ranking events, as he lost 0–5 against Jamie Cope at the Shanghai Masters, and 0–5 against David Gilbert at the Grand Prix. His only appearance in the last 32 came at the 2009 UK Championship, where he lost 2–9 against Mark King. Hamilton however couldn't qualify for the last three ranking events, as he lost 4–5 against Bjorn Haneveer at the Welsh Open, 4–5 against Tony Drago at the China Open, and 6–10 against Ford at the 2010 World Snooker Championship. 2010–2011 In 2010/2011 season Hamilton failed to qualify for the first three ranking events as he lost 2–5 against Ricky Walden at the Shanghai Masters, 1–3 against James McBain at the World Open and 3–9 against Rod Lawler at the UK Championship. Hamilton also participated in all Players Tour Championship events, with his best performance coming at the Paul Hunter Classic, where he reached the final, but lost 3–4 against Judd Trump. Hamilton finished 18th on the Players Tour Championship Order of Merit and qualified for the Finals, where he lost 0–4 against Mark Williams in the second round. Hamilton qualified for the German Masters, by defeating Kurt Maflin (5–4), Adam Wicheard (5–1) and Stuart Bingham (5–1) in qualifying stages. He reached the second round by defeating Pavel Leyk (5–1) and Neil Robertson (5–4), before losing against Graeme Dott (2–5). Hamilton couldn't reach the final stages of the last three ranking tournaments, as he lost in the qualifying stages against Matthew Stevens 2–4 at the Welsh Open, 1–5 at the China Open and against Barry Hawkins 5–10 at the World Championship. 2011–2012 Hamilton began the