Semi Finals... Trump v Robertson In what is a re-match of the opening game in the World Championships last year it was Robinson who was the current World Champion and a opponenant in Trump who had yet to make his mark in the big tournaments. Trump prevailed to knock out Neil and he then went on to reach the final where he fell short to John Higgins. There is a symmetary to all this and we could get the same results in this tournament, though I would think that Neil would have something to say about that. With both players playing good open snooker it will again come down to who makes the better job of the clearances when their opponant breaks down. Both have tremendous cue power and we could be treated to some wonderfull long ball potting, and power shots. This is one match we can really sit back and enjoy with both players going to attack the table with every visit and every shot. It will be some shoot out as to who makes this years final as neither player has made it this far before... Higgins v Murphy Both players can play the tactic game, both can build frame winning breaks and both have the capacity not to crush under pressure. This could come down to who makes the less mistakes. Murphy has played well in this years tournament and will rightly feel that he has a real chance of lifting the top prize. Not short of self confidence Shaun will take a lot from last nights result into this semi, just like he did in his previous matches. Go for your shots, commit to the tough pots and dont let your foot off the pedal if you get the chance. It is his style and it has brought him titles before so he wont change that just because he is playing Higgins. John hasnt actually looked in top gear yet and that is where you need to take stock of this match up. If he dos turn up and play like the back to back hundred player we know then he will not be stopped. If Murphy misses a few John has the capacity to then clear up with his trade mark 50-70's breaks and he will be tough to beat. Even if it gets scrappy John will dig deep to make it as hard for you as it is for him. All in all Joh Higgins has the total game package you would need to win titles and big, big tournaments. This will be a fascinating match up... A great line up for this years Masters Championship and it could go either way in both matches. But i have to go with a mixture of experience and revenge. Murphy to be edged out by John Higgins in a tight 6-4 result and Robertson to get revenge for last years Worlds opener also with a 6-4 victory. Finalists will be Higgins v Robertson
Semi Finals results... Robertson 6-3 Trump... The gun gunfight at the Ally Pally didnt quiet make it into what we expected. Yes there were fireworks, and yes we saw some great potting, but it was Robertson who fired the shots, with the gunslinger from Bristol only shooting blanks. Robertson brought his A-game to the table, Trump just didnt get above his D-game. And this was ultimately the reason for such a one sided semi. To get to a 5-1 leading scoreline just showed the quality of Robertsons game, and Trump had no reply. In fact i would suggest that if Judd dos look back at this semi final defeat he has posed more questions than answers towards his utlimate goal of becoming the worlds number 1 player. Experience beat raw talent as Judd kept to his idea of 'if it goes, it pots' theory. Robertson waited and pounced at the first mistake that Judd made, and how did he make him pay. We are in no doubt that Trump will eventually become the World Champion and world number 1, but the seasoned pros that have been around for a while have seen a weakness, and its becoming apparent that Judd hasnt. If Trump gets his potting action going, and smoothly makes his way around the table like he hasnt a care in the world, then he is the most dangerous player on the circuit. If however he misses a few, gets a bit of misfortune cant get the feel of the table then his B-game isnt up to much. I wouldnt mind but he actually played some of the most clever safety shots and understanding of snookers ive seen, when he wanted to. But they were on rare ocasions. Its just that he dosnt really care for it and his eyes still light up if he sees a pot first not matter how hard it is, or where on the table it is. That experience of knowing when to go for a pot or not will come with time, and time is what Neil Robertson had today, and plenty of it. I dont think he really tried to slow the game down, as i think he knew what the importance of this semi final meant to him. Its just that when he got in, he made sure that he would take it, and he did. Breaks of 100, 89 and a clinching 69 all came off the back of a mistake from Judd, and this go for anything game plan works only if you are getting your pots. Neil Robertson was rightly pumped up in the end as Judd Trump and his army of fans tried in vain to put the Aussie under pressure. He didnt take to the 'local' support for Judd with a few shout outs and comments only adding to the concentration of Robertson to get the job done... Job done, bring on the final...!!! Murphy 6-4 Higgins... This was as good a game you will see, with Murphy having to produce the best snooker he has played for many a while to beat the dogged and determined Higgins. Match play at its best. Murphy looked like he had took the template of Judd Trumps assault of the snooker world and tweaked it to suit his game. He never shirked a pot, played safe when needed and scored so heavy that John didnt see a pot in the first two frames. When Higgins eventually scored it wasnt enough as he broke down on 63 only for Shaun to clear up with a 69 to take a 3-0 lead. This was as good as it gets for Murphy who has not always done well in this particular tournament. But this is John Higgins he is playing and a lead of three frames dosnt always mean a easy passage through to the next round. Although John wasnt at his tip top best his hardened match play gets him there and it soon started to come through. The tactical side of this match was fascinating with one player playing 'dont miss, or your out' snooker, with the other playing 'dont miss or i will let him back in' snooker. High class break building, great long ball potting and some very good safety play. Ok John Higgins didnt get up to the very high standard that he knows he can play to, but all credit must go to Shaun Murphy for the way he played. Hs deserved his moment in the sun, and he was the better player on the night. Higgins showed us why we rate him as the top match player currently out there but it just wasnt enough against the relentless onslaught of pots and break building from his opponenant. Shaun Murphy was one very happy man last night and if he dos go on to win this trophy joins and exclusive club of players who have the 'Triple Crown' on their cv. I bet he cant wait...
But they were on rare ocasions. Its just that he dosnt really care for it and his eyes still light up if he sees a pot first not matter how hard it is, or where on the table it is.
