Wide open event this year with quite a few of the favourites either struggling with form or in Selby's case returning after an ongoing battle with depression. Robertson the clear favourite on form but usually struggles to find his best form at the Crucible. Trump been playing poorly for a while now and said he's fallen out of love with the game. Higgins has lost in 5 finals this season, 4 of them in deciders and it looks like he's got clinchers disease. His latest one losing to Robertson 10-9 after being 9-4 up could take too long to recover from. There are a few lower down in the betting who could cause a shock namely the 2 Chinese lads Zhao and Bingtao but both have to prove themselves over the longer matches and 3 sessions. I've taken a punt on Ronnie at 7/1 to draw level with Hendry on 7 World titles. You never know with Ron how his head will be, but in the last tournament he looked as focused as he has been for a few years and was unlucky to lose 10-9 to Robertson in the Semi's. The draw hasn't been kind to him, but I'm hoping the carrot of drawing level with Hendry will spur him on and he can produce some vintage displays. It promises to be a great tournament. Good luck to anyone having a punt !
Enjoy watching Ronnie O’Sullivan & so much talent & would love to see him win it, but Robertson is great form
I enjoy watching the snooker World Championship, although it is a terrible time killer. Would be pleased if Ronnie won it for the 7th time.
Was 3-0 down to Gilbert earlier and I was getting seriously pissed off. Turned it round completely after the interval to win the session 6-3 against a very dangerous opponent. 95% pot success and if he can put this match to bed his confidence levels should be high. Selby 6-3 up but not looking like he's playing well, to be expected. Zhao 7-2 up and in full control, Hawkins 6-3 down to 1st timer Page.
Yes saw the Ronnie match & after a dodgy start totally took control & looks composed & in the mood, Gilbert lost his way & started making mistakes
Selby through 10-7 but a less than convincing win. Trouble is the more table time he gets the more in the groove he'll get and will be harder to beat. Ronnie's nemesis I'd like to see the back of him quickly obviously
Yep he's not the easiest on the eye, but you have to scrape him off the table. Hardest match player ever in my eyes, above John Higgins and Peter Ebdon.
Ronnie through 10-5 and Zhao through 10-2. Hawkins beaten by Welsh first timer Page 10-7. Maguire beat Murphy 10-8 after one of the most bizarre matches ever, so many misses, flukes and just strange going ons. The 14th frame lasted 71 mins , only 8 shy of the Crucible record. It really was the sickest frame I think I've ever seen, anything can happen in a Maguire match, the bloke is as dodgy as they come !
Saw that frame & that yellow ball took ages before they potted it but safety play though even it some was flukes, yes & Ronnie looking good after a fairly tough opener
Ronnie 6-2 on Allen, lovely. Williams looked awesome against his protégé and really put him to the sword . Maguire the dodgepot beating Zhao 8-4, hope he finishes the job as much rather Ronnie played him in quarters than Zhao. Selby and Bingtao a real war of attricition, just how Selby likes it.
I read that the players are much better, on average, than they were years ago when snooker was a big sport. I haven’t watched any on telly for years. I’ve only ever seen one tournament live. My dad used to know the management of a player called Patsy ***an and he took me to see him play in the Dry Blackthorn Cup in 1977 (yes I had to look it up) at Wembley Conference Centre. Only 4 players, by invitation only - ***an, John Spencer, Ray Reardon and Alex Higgins. ***an beat Higgins in the final. Apparently ***an had a bad car accident and after that had a psychological block about using the rest, which scuppered his career.
I was working for William Hill back then and I recall a lot of talk about ***an, who I'd never heard of, becoming World Champion.
He got a terrible case of the yips and literally couldn't let go of the cue to hit the cue ball. Never really recovered from it but was an exceptionally talented player before that.
True Col he looks formidable atm, but it's such a long tournament that you want to hit top form around the Semi's. I love Williams , he's such a laid back character but his ringcraft is up there with the best ever. He will have to play probably Selby next and he can derail anyone with his grinding and would upset Williams' fluency. I personally want a Williams v Ronnie final as Williams hasn't beaten him for 20 years in a top event. Staggering really considering his record against other players.
Yeah, Patsy ***an was a huge talent. We used to go to Pontins holiday camps as a family when I was in my late teens and they always had a snooker pro come in to play the winner of that week's tournament and do an exhibition. One week when we were there Ray Reardon was supposed to be the visiting pro, but cried off sick. An unknown young player called Steve Davis filled in for him. He was awkward and shy, but quite brilliant. Me and my Dad both said that he'd go far.....
Masterpiece from Ronnie tonight & needs just one frame tomorrow which is a formality, feel for mark as just couldn’t get going & positional play & potting poor from him, love to see Ronnie win it for 7th time but will be tough
