Snooker
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As we embark upon the middle Sunday the tournament has a whole new feel to it. And, after R.O’Sullivan’s defeat, you wonder if that’s it – he ends up with 5 World titles, meaning the never-ending debate about who was the greatest will remain unanswered. Since he lost to M.Selby in the 2014 final he hasn’t reached the one table set up here, and further success here looks increasingly unlikely. That said, it was a tremendous result for A.Carter, and it was great to see him stand up to O’Sullivan and go toe-to-toe with him (literally). There’s definitely been a harder edge to The Captain here, as he showed when rallying from 2-6 to G.Dott in R1. He’s always had the game to beat O’Sullivan but has lacked the belief – now he has put that demon to bed there is no reason why he can’t go further, maybe much further.
Elsewhere, J.Higgins dished out a brutal lesson to J.Lisowski, and although the match is effectively over - it is important, from a psychological point of view, that Lisowski tries to take this match to a 3rd session. All his excellent recent performances will count for nothing if he is demolished in 2 sessions, as those type of defeats leave deep and lasting scars. Ding is the new tournament favourite, and he starts his 2nd round match this morning. Ding’s recent Crucible form is very strong and it has needed M.Selby, at his best, to beat him in the last 2 seasons. That said, he looks too short at 3/10 to beat A.McGill. His form has been poor since he lost heavily to O’Sullivan in the World Grand Prix final, and 1st round defeats in the UK and Masters show a vulnerability early on tournaments. J.Trump also starts his 2nd round match this morning, and he is also a 3/10 chance to progress against R.Walden. I would have said that was an absolute mortgage job before the tournament started, but Trump's lack of confidence and nervousness in putting away C.Wakelin means there is now an element of doubt. It is a sign of just how vulnerable Trump is right now that you can back him at 13/2 outright given that both O’Sullivan and Selby are out (he has been lower than that price for most of the season). But, for all the doubts about him - I just can’t see Walden out-playing him over 3 sessions.
Elsewhere, J.Higgins dished out a brutal lesson to J.Lisowski, and although the match is effectively over - it is important, from a psychological point of view, that Lisowski tries to take this match to a 3rd session. All his excellent recent performances will count for nothing if he is demolished in 2 sessions, as those type of defeats leave deep and lasting scars. Ding is the new tournament favourite, and he starts his 2nd round match this morning. Ding’s recent Crucible form is very strong and it has needed M.Selby, at his best, to beat him in the last 2 seasons. That said, he looks too short at 3/10 to beat A.McGill. His form has been poor since he lost heavily to O’Sullivan in the World Grand Prix final, and 1st round defeats in the UK and Masters show a vulnerability early on tournaments. J.Trump also starts his 2nd round match this morning, and he is also a 3/10 chance to progress against R.Walden. I would have said that was an absolute mortgage job before the tournament started, but Trump's lack of confidence and nervousness in putting away C.Wakelin means there is now an element of doubt. It is a sign of just how vulnerable Trump is right now that you can back him at 13/2 outright given that both O’Sullivan and Selby are out (he has been lower than that price for most of the season). But, for all the doubts about him - I just can’t see Walden out-playing him over 3 sessions.
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3/10 dudd to beat waldorf is for the desperate only imo
agree about lisowski, hopefully he can take this to 3 sessions but he will have to settle down if he is to do that higgins was ok yesterday but no more than that, certainly if lisowski played well 6-2 wouldn't be unbelievable but it will be all over quickly if the same jack from yesterday turns up |
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I'm on Trump at 8.2 upwards and I'm quite happy with that with ROS out. If Trump can put in a decent performance today he will shorten up obviously even with Higgins lurking in the Q/f's. I didn't see Higgins yesterday but i'm pleased to hear he was nothing special
 I also think Ding is too short in the winners market and am tempted to lay. I might watch a couple of frames this morning just to see if he goes a bit shorter. |
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Will Ronnie ever start fav for another worlds? Doubt it. Think it is the final total alright, can’t see him ever getting a better chance than this year.
Trump v Walden, absolutely no interest as a betting medium to me. Just hope Trump puts in some sort of performance, if only to restore the smallest bit of faith in him. Won’t go on about Jack, just to say that while he has talent, Lyu Haotian has achieved almost as much in his career at 20 than Jack has at 26. Maybe he’s one to focus on more? Dunno but it does indicate to me that whatever young players come through over next few years the majority will be Chinese or Far East. The balance of power is swinging- slowly it has to be said but swinging nonetheless. |
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Lisowski had good chances in the opening 2 frames, and had he got an early frame on the board (cliche alert) then there is every chance he would have settled and a good contest developed. But, being able to dig in when when things are going against you is a big part of playing here, and he needs to show some character today despite the scoreline. I think we will learn a lot more about him today.
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on interview after the 1st round he said making a century in the 1st frame v bingham really settled him down
yes if 1-1 after 2 frames probably was a different match but it wasn't and 8-0 was not nice to watch |
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I don't like comparing players, everybody has their own things going on their life, their own circumstances which define them as human beings
jack has had the C in his life |
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as has ali
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fully expect ding to win comfortably 13-7 13-8
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Yeah I would say fair play to Jack (and Ali), coming back from adversity can be inspiring. This certainly doesn’t have to be the end of the world for him by any means. Plenty of guys have had trimmings here without any long lasting ill effects. He might well nick a fair few frames yet too.
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for sure
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keen for ding to play well today
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bucket ton for ding
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*for dudd
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although ding in tbf
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Gobe, I’d say you were happy enough with Hawkins in the end yesterday. Bit of a wobble here and there but put it to bed pretty smartly I thought. If ding goes through looks a real good encounter to me.
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ding looking great
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bucket ton for ding
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As I said in my Ronnie negatives, he has had a long season. He can't be immune to the mental drain even given his supreme talent.
Perhaps this did for him. Nice to see a good start from Judd, who I have completely given up on  |
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The cheap triangle chalk Judd
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I was just about to post "A long way to go but Trump looking reasonably good so far, certainly good in the balls".
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Oh dear Juddernought. I have some cakes of the pro triangle chalk at cost price
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He can't break off? Wtf
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Can't keep making those safety mistakes though
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Looking to turn 2-0 into 1-3 here
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Ding looking sharp but won't have it so easy against the formidable bird of prey
meanwhile Trump doing what he does best..WAC..plus ca change |
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Hope this is finally Ding's year, draw is certainly open for him
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It's Ding's year, great for us Ding outright backers
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beware Bazza
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Its Ding's year, I might just stop watching til May day as I already know the outcome
Ding JW 18 - 12 A Mug |
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Lovely near jaw acceptance there for Ricky. I say lovely, but I am disgusted yet again and seething.
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Spot on BTW. Going to be great when Ding is crowned King in the final next week after slaying all those that dared to challenge.
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sometimes you really do wonder HTF Trump manages to even get out of bed!
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Ding playing solid stuff...
3-0 1,11 4-0 1.09  |
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Genuinely upsetting to see Trump this out of sorts, game really needed his talent to shine through imo. Not gonna win this, is he? Not that I’d have a whole lot of faith in Ricky, mind...
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gj - yes, I was happy with the way The Hawk ended yesterday. He finished in the same way in R1 against S.Carrington, but it's a worry that he's let commanding leads slip against lower ranked players. I had the feeling pre-tournament that he was still under-cooked and was about 3-4 weeks short of being ready for this, but at the odds available (especially on here) I had to back him. It's early days in the Ding game but he's looking impressive (hope you're on him at double figure prices?). It should be a fabulous match should they meet.
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Could go 8-0 or 7-1 with his actual form.
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With you there gj, watch his cue action a few years ago he has regressed.
There is no talent coming through in the UK, 10 years time we have an entirely Oriental top 16 with most of them choker mugs. |