Snooker World Championship
Discussion
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Both Robertson and Selby are playing very similar brand of "match play" snooker. Starve the other of chances with tough safety play yet produce frame winning clearances when amongst the balls. If they run out of position, no dip in concentration - just another telling safety. There was a time when this approach, along with slowing up the play could hurt Ronnie.These days though Ronnie can play this type of game and not get frustrated. If he's not playing well he will come out of a session against either of these players 4 - 4 or at the worst 5 - 3 down.
When he's playing well though, it doesn't matter who the opponent is - no ball on the table is safe, his safety is impeccable and his break biulding is on another level. It's amazing to watch. No one else in the game can do it. He will win a session 6 - 2, 7 - 1, 8 - 0.
Robertson is better than Selby at their brand of snooker. But only just. The winner won't have much left for Sunday. Ronnie on the other hand. He'll run today, do a little practise and pray the other 2 finish past midnight.
So I reckon he'll win the final 18 - (12 - 8). I'm pretty convinced. May need to place some bets.
Don't particularly like watching either of these players but I do admire their 'never give up' attitudes. That said, if it goes something like 14-14 it's great to watch the tactical stuff (and the simple misses under pressure) towards the end of the match.
Interesting article from the BBC about the number of frames played before getting to the final and how that affects your performance in the final.
"In the last decade, the famously durable John Higgins is the only player - twice, in 2009 and 2011 - who has prevailed in the final having played in more frames leading up to it than his opponent"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/27048713
Lots of interesting comments from former champions too re the mental toll the cruicable format can have on you.
Interesting article from the BBC about the number of frames played before getting to the final and how that affects your performance in the final.
"In the last decade, the famously durable John Higgins is the only player - twice, in 2009 and 2011 - who has prevailed in the final having played in more frames leading up to it than his opponent"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/27048713
Lots of interesting comments from former champions too re the mental toll the cruicable format can have on you.
Edited by BlackLabel on Saturday 3rd May 13:08
ash73 said:
BlackLabel said:
Still can't separate these two - it could be a late one tonight.
Yeah fantastic, I can understand Ronnie's fans not appreciating it but I love a close scrap.I still remember the Dott vs Ebdon final - that really was torture. They followed it up last year with one of the longest ever 1st round matches (Ebdon's highest break was in the 30s
).To capture the public's imagination it really has to make all players play like Ronnie.
I know its entertaining to snooker players themselves, but to make it a public 'sport' its needs to have more ooomph.
Actually I don't care because I can understand the game,but if they want to create a bigger market then something needs to be done.
I know its entertaining to snooker players themselves, but to make it a public 'sport' its needs to have more ooomph.
Actually I don't care because I can understand the game,but if they want to create a bigger market then something needs to be done.
jbudgie said:
To capture the public's imagination it really has to make all players play like Ronnie.
I know its entertaining to snooker players themselves, but to make it a public 'sport' its needs to have more ooomph.
Actually I don't care because I can understand the game,but if they want to create a bigger market then something needs to be done.
Not sure what else they can do. They had the premier league (with the shot clock) on sky for a number of years but eventually cancelled it because of viewing numbers and one assumes lack of sponsorship. They also have a single frame knockout type tournament (again with a shot clock) on itv (or perhaps it's moved to sky now). Some people say Hearn needs to do to snooker what he did for darts but by nature they are completely different sports.I know its entertaining to snooker players themselves, but to make it a public 'sport' its needs to have more ooomph.
Actually I don't care because I can understand the game,but if they want to create a bigger market then something needs to be done.
Then we have the whole 'the future lies in China' rhetoric which tbh I think this is overstated. Apart from Ding what other 'top' (which for me means is able to win the Worlds) players do they actually have?
Anyway back to this match, both players are hitting the ball really well now.
ash73 said:
Stephen Hendry looks like a tramp, someone give him a razor and a decent shirt.
Think he's going through some kind of mid life crisis - he's just left his wife for someone young enough to be his daughter.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2603574/Sn...
Snooker is fine as it is in terms of sport - dont think it should be tinkered with - i odnt think that many extra people will be drawn to it.
only concession i would make is perhaps it is not so easy for the average person just to start randomly watching it as the commentary assumes you know whats what - only way they could combat that is have a few informational films on the TV/web.
news articles suggests that finals can get 5-6 million viewers
http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,1...
it would be dead without the BBC though.
only concession i would make is perhaps it is not so easy for the average person just to start randomly watching it as the commentary assumes you know whats what - only way they could combat that is have a few informational films on the TV/web.
news articles suggests that finals can get 5-6 million viewers
http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,1...
it would be dead without the BBC though.
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