13–11 and stated that the unique atmosphere of the Crucible Theatre helps him focus harder and is the reason for his recent good form in the event. In the quarter-finals, Hawkins won six frames from 3–1 behind, restricting his opponent Neil Robertson to just eight points in the process. The tie would eventually go into a deciding frame which Hawkins won with a 61 break to reach the semi-finals for the third year in a row. It was an extremely high quality encounter, during which both players made four centuries each to equal a World Championship record for a best of 25 frame match. Hawkins endured a tough semi-final as he fell 14–3 behind Shaun Murphy and only just avoided losing with a session to spare, as he returned to be defeated 17–9. 2015/2016 Hawkins took two months off at the beginning of the season and said he would be more selective with the events he enters in order to remain fresh for the entire year. He returned for the minor-ranking Riga Open and won it by defeating Tom Ford 4–1 in the final. Hawkins conceded only a total of seven frames in his seven matches during the event. A series of early ranking event exits followed, but Hawkins recaptured his form at the Masters. In an event where he had never won a match in five prior appearances, Hawkins eliminated Joe Perry 6–3, Mark Allen 6–2 and Judd Trump 6–4 to set up a meeting with Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final. Hawkins took the opening frame, but would lose 10–1 to equal the record of the biggest margin of defeat in a Masters final set by Steve Davis' 9–0 whitewash over Mike Hallett in 1988. In the PTC Finals, Hawkins eliminated Michael Holt 4–2, Robert Milkins 4–3 and Ding Junhui 4–2. He lost 6–3 to Ricky Walden in the semi-finals. Hawkins met O'Sullivan in the second round of the World Championship, a player who he had not beat in 10 matches stretching back 14 years since their very first meeting. Hawkins led 9–7 after the second session and 12–9 to stand one frame away of the win. However, O'Sullivan quickly levelled the match at 12–12, but went in off during the deciding frame to allow Hawkins to be the only player to have reached the quarter-finals of the event for the past three years. Hawkins said the change from