2014 Champion of Champions

Frank O. Pinion

Starts tomorrow on ITV4.

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Stuart Bingham
Shaun Murphy v Marco Fu
Barry Hawkins v John Higgins
Ding Junhui v Dominic Dale
Neil Robertson v Ali Carter
Ricky Walden v Mark Allen
Judd Trump v Stephen Maguire
Mark Selby v Steve Davis

Glenman

Why is Steve Davis in it?

Frank O. Pinion

Glenman wrote: »

Why is Steve Davis in it?

He was given an invitational tour card to participate in tournaments for the 2014-15 season. He qualified for the Champion of Champions event after winning the World Seniors Championship.

ArmaniJeanss

Glenman wrote: »

Why is Steve Davis in it?

His buddy Bazza wanted it, and his victory in the Seniors Championship seemed the most plausible and believable way to shoehorn him in.
Anyone pointing out that the previous edition of Champion of Champions had no such senior representative should be shunned.

Myrddin

Is this a ranking event? I've not heard of it before. Setanta have coverage too so I've been watching bits & pieces where I can

case885

Ronnie playing well, will be a massive blow to snooker when he inevitably retires.

Frank O. Pinion

Myrddin wrote: »

Is this a ranking event? I've not heard of it before. Setanta have coverage too so I've been watching bits & pieces where I can

It's a non-ranking event. The "Champion of Champions" name was used for two events previously, in 1978 and 1980. It was revived last year, replacing Premier League Snooker on the Snooker calendar. Ronnie O'Sullivan won it last year.

O'Sullivan also flew through Marco Fu tonight, 6-0, to meet Ding Junhui in the semi-finals on Saturday. No matches played tomorrow, for a day of rest.

Friday, 7th November
Round 1: Neil Robertson v Ali Carter
Round 1: Ricky Walden v Mark Allen
Quarter-Final: Robertson/Carter v Walden/Allen

Saturday, 8th November
Semi-Final: Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ding Junhui
Semi-Final: Judd Trump v Winner of Friday's matches

Final on Sunday. I would guess O'Sullivan v Trump/Robertson.

Pighead

O'Sullivan at his brilliant best against Trump in this afternoons opening session of the final. Leading 6-3 with three 130+ finishes. Evening session has just started. First to ten wins.

ROS 6-3 Trump: 137-0 (137), 82-0 (78), 25-100, 63-73, 137-0 (50,87), 80-0 (80), 34-89 (58), 139-0 (139), 134-0 (134)

Kevin McCloud

Trump closing the gap, he must be feeling the pressure hope he levels up the scores.

MillField

Going down to the wire!

Kevin McCloud

He is making some come back in this frame.

MillField

Still hope Ronnie wins.

Kevin McCloud

What a shame the white went off.

MillField

One more frame Ronnie..

Kevin McCloud

As good as over, trump gave a good battle.

MillField

Yep. Two good players to watch. Quick play. BTW I love your show on TV.

Pighead

What a great final. Two excellent attacking players going for pretty much everything. Ronnie just said that this is the best he's played since he was 15. Usually he says he was just playing ok but he seems delighted with his form at the minute. Will be hard to stop him in April.

celticfc

Great final, top notch all day.

To be fair the quality all week has been fantastic, it's refreshing to take a break from the 128 player open events and get back to a good old invitational events with the best players on show from start to finish with every game on the main table.

It's also great to see that ITV are really showing an interest in snooker again, looking forward to the World Grand Prix they're showing in March too.

UK Championship's only a couple of weeks ago now.

Frank O. Pinion

Great final and a great tournament overall. The Champion of Champions is quickly becoming a player's favourite, and besides the title of "World Champion", being the "Champion of Champions" sounds most impressive. It also helps gives notability to the event (and ITV's ratings) that Ronnie has won both tournaments since they brought it back.