2020 World Snooker Championship

Rothko · 11-08-2020 10:10pm

I think Selby will beat Ronnie but it should be a great game either. Hope Wilson beats McGill in their match.

amens · 11-08-2020 10:10pm

petes wrote: »

No, he didn't. Jaysus, were people watching the same call as me or just changing it to suit their own call.

He had the balls placed and the used another ball, then used anoth ball to see were both sides available.

After an adjustment, I presume and think was called, it was then called as a free ball, correct decision.

We'll all be on YouTube later watching the recording

Say Your Number · 11-08-2020 10:11pm

Ronnie talking about golf a lot on Eurosport.

lawrencesummers · 11-08-2020 10:11pm

Eurosport just interviewing Ronnie now. He’s of the opinion that he is playing terribly, can’t pot anything more than 3 foot and is putting in a bunker load of golfing analogy’s about his game.

He’s still the one to beat I think, but is possibly mote beatable this year than others.

Sultan of Bling · 11-08-2020 10:13pm

Mysterypunter wrote:

MacGill wins 13-10, I'd say Wilson will put him away easily enough

Wouldnt be so sure. A lot including me wrote him off after the clarke game which finished after midnight and then he had to return the next day to face maflin who had a couple of days off.

He won that session 7-1.

He has shown real guts in deciders in this tournament. The pot on the blue v lisoskwi. The snooker behind the browmn and the comeback v clarke when his opponent was taking the pi$$.

A strong matchplayer.

gormdubhgorm · 11-08-2020 10:14pm

petes wrote: »

No, he didn't. Jaysus, were people watching the same call as me or just changing it to suit their own call.

He had the balls placed and the used another ball, then used anoth ball to see were both sides available.

After an adjustment, I presume and think was called, it was then called as a free ball, correct decision.

amens wrote: »

We'll all be on YouTube later watching the recording

I remember it the way Petes said it, only got second red as guide later. Plus checked both ends of table.

gormdubhgorm · 11-08-2020 10:16pm

Say Your Number wrote: »

Ronnie talking about golf a lot on Eurosport.

Did he tell Eurosport he loves a semi as well?

AllForIt · 11-08-2020 10:17pm

zuutroy wrote: »

He's always said his biggest regret is being dragged into playing Selby's game in 2014. I don't think he'll be naive enough to make that mistake again and I have half a feeling that he'll play like a man with a point to prove.

Yeah, that was the final where Selby won 10 frames in a row after being quite a bit behind. Couldn't understand who Ronnie let that happen.

TheW1zard · 11-08-2020 10:17pm

I reckon ronnie missed the blue on purpose cause he thought the ref made a mistake.
Letting williams back in for a sporting chance!

BorneTobyWilde · 11-08-2020 10:19pm

Talking of gambling, telling people to lump on, ''inside info'' get on. WTF
Is he planning on throwing it, surprised it's not an issue he said such things.

amens · 11-08-2020 10:19pm

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Did he tell Eurosport he loves a semi as well?

Rolls eyes to heaven

gormdubhgorm · 11-08-2020 10:20pm

Sultan of Bling wrote: »

Wouldnt be so sure. A lot including me wrote him off after the clarke game which finished after midnight and then he had to return the next day to face maflin who had a couple of days off.

He won that session 7-1.

He has shown real guts in deciders in this tournament. The pot on the blue v lisoskwi. The snooker behind the browmn and the comeback v clarke when his opponent was taking the pi$$.

A strong matchplayer.

Would be gas if McGill wins it outright. Seems to have that Scotish matchplay thing that Dott has. Never say die.

amens · 11-08-2020 10:21pm

TheW1zard wrote: »

I reckon ronnie missed the blue on purpose cause he thought the ref made a mistake.
Letting williams back in for a sporting chance!

More likely his guilty conscience was troubling him and he couldn't concentrate properly.

Brian? · 11-08-2020 10:25pm

radiata wrote: »

I hope Selby destroys O' Sullivan

He's going to eat him alive, skin and all.

Chalk McHugh · 11-08-2020 10:27pm

amens wrote: »

More likely his guilty conscience was troubling him and he couldn't concentrate properly.

What guilty conscience? It was a free ball. The referee eventually said it was a free ball. A few posters here cannot disguise their hatred of Ronnie.

Chalk McHugh · 11-08-2020 10:28pm

Brian? wrote: »

He's going to eat him alive, skin and all.

Doubt it very much. I fancy Ronnie to beat 16-13.

Joe_ Public · 11-08-2020 10:28pm

Think wilson has a bit of class that McGills opponents up to now have lacked. Does have a bit of tactical matchplay nous about him, but wilson is a tough competitor too and is a previous s/finalist here and multiple ranking event winner. I've had plenty wrong so far this event, but I'll be really surprised if mcgill hasnt reached the end of his road here. Lisowski, Clarke and Maflin are good opponents for him, wilson not so much.

BorneTobyWilde · 11-08-2020 10:29pm

If Ronnie is at table Selby can't do anything, Ronnie will need to adapt his game a little, not so gung ho, play safe, don't give Selby all the easy access to the table he gave Williams, as Selby too will make Ronnie watch on for ages if he gets to table. Not sure Ronnie can help himself though, seems to give people chances to make it more difficult for himself, loves the challenge.

amens · 11-08-2020 10:31pm

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Talking of gambling, telling people to lump on, ''inside info'' get on. WTF
Is he planning on throwing it, surprised it's not an issue he said such things.

He is building Selby up to take pressure off himself but he is going to give everything he's got to the match to try to beat him because amongst all the rubbish he said in the interview he really believes one thing he said:Selby is the ultimate challenge.

Andrew00 · 11-08-2020 10:31pm

Is Selby not value at around 15/8?

amens · 11-08-2020 10:34pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

What guilty conscience? It was a free ball. The referee eventually said it was a free ball. A few posters here cannot disguise their hatred of Ronnie.

I like Ronnie. That doesn't mean he doesn't have faults. While Williams sat in his seat letting Jan make the decision Ronnie pressured him into making one favourable to him.

Chalk McHugh · 11-08-2020 10:35pm

Andrew00 wrote: »

Is Selby not value at around 15/8?

Of course in a two horse race with two pretty evenly matched players that represents value.

AllForIt · 11-08-2020 10:36pm

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

If Ronnie is at table Selby can't do anything, Ronnie will need to adapt his game a little, not so gung ho, play safe, don't give Selby all the easy access to the table he gave Williams, as Selby too will make Ronnie watch on for ages if he gets to table. Not sure Ronnie can help himself though, seems to give people chances to make it more difficult for himself, loves the challenge.

No I think that's completely wrong. Ronnie must not adapt his game to Selbys. He shouldn't adapt his game for anyone and just do what he is capable of doing instead of worrying about his opponent's style of play.

Brian? · 11-08-2020 10:42pm

amens wrote: »

I like Ronnie. That doesn't mean he doesn't have faults. While Williams sat in his seat letting Jan make the decision Ronnie pressured him into making one favourable to him.

Ronnie was 100% right to question the decision.

11-08-2020 10:43pm

amens wrote: »

I like Ronnie. That doesn't mean he doesn't have faults. While Williams sat in his seat letting Jan make the decision Ronnie pressured him into making one favourable to him.

There's a difference between pressuring someone and questioning them.

Chalk McHugh · 11-08-2020 10:44pm

McGill has a favourable head to head v Wilson, leading 5-3 in matches. A couple of those were 6 reds matches i think which Wilson won at least one.

I hope McGill beats Wilson but will fatigue be a factor? McGill has won two deciders and one went past midnight. While his opponent had a bye in first round and has to be fresher.

I think 'The Robot' would be a more apt name for Wilson than The Warrior. Everything is so regimental and wooden. There's no flair or excitement. I find him very boring.

Sultan of Bling · 11-08-2020 10:44pm

Chalk McHugh wrote:

Doubt it very much. I fancy Ronnie to beat 16-13.

First to 17

Mysterypunter · 11-08-2020 10:46pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Doubt it very much. I fancy Ronnie to beat 16-13.

Tiz up to 17 Chalk

Chalk McHugh · 11-08-2020 10:46pm

Mysterypunter wrote: »

Tiz up to 17 Chalk

17-13

AllForIt · 11-08-2020 10:50pm

Brian? wrote: »

Ronnie was 100% right to question the decision.

Didn't think for a second Ronnie questioned it because of the crucial point of the match it was it. A pro player is better at judging these things than a ref when it comes down to fractions of a millimetre. Ronnie instinctively knew it was a free ball and he was right.

BorneTobyWilde · 11-08-2020 11:06pm

AllForIt wrote: »

No I think that's completely wrong. Ronnie must not adapt his game to Selbys. He shouldn't adapt his game for anyone and just do what he is capable of doing instead of worrying about his opponent's style of play.

He refused some longs balls against Williams in closing frames, played safe. That's what I mean, don't take on the virtually impossible

TheHopeful · 11-08-2020 11:58pm

Some comeback from Ronnie from 7-2 down in fairness. Like others have said, I fancy Selby to beat him.

And surely Wilson wins the other semi. Fair play to McGill he has had a great run. He'll jump a lot in the rankings after this. Think he's 39 or something like that.

It's great Eurosport are showing all the coverage but I much prefer the BBC commentators. One of the pairs on Eurosport, Neil Foulds and the old lad he's with Donny head in with the stuff they come out with.

AllForIt · 12-08-2020 12:35am

TheHopeful wrote: »

Some comeback from Ronnie from 7-2 down in fairness. Like others have said, I fancy Selby to beat him.

.

Yes I think so too. It's just that we expect so much of Ronnie that when he pulls off a comeback like that, we don't think as much off it as some lesser player that did the same thing.

Fantastic of Ronnie to pull off that match imo, Williams was playing very well. I'd put my money on Ronnie for his semi. I don't get why most here seem to be so hot on Selby. He hasn't been consistent for a long while.

taytobreath · 12-08-2020 12:42am

Its rare u see ronnie making a comeback like that.

Sandor Clegane · 12-08-2020 12:47am

AllForIt wrote: »

Yes I think so too. It's just that we expect so much of Ronnie that when he pulls off a comeback like that, we don't think as much off it as some lesser player that did the same thing.

Fantastic of Ronnie to pull off that match imo, Williams was playing very well. I'd put my money on Ronnie for his semi. I don't get why most here seem to be so hot on Selby. He hasn't been consistent for a long while.

Ronnie has been sporadic in this tournament at best, the first match he was playing a non entity, Ding was terrible and had chance after chance to punish Ronnie but consistently failed to do so, Ronnie played a bit better against Williams especially in the latter stages of the match but he still allowed Williams to amass a 7 - 2 lead, if he had let Selby do that he wouldn't be in the semi finals.

Look Ronnie is a great player so has a chance no doubt but overall in a best of 33 Selby is a heavy favorite.

AllForIt · 12-08-2020 12:48am

taytobreath wrote: »

Its rare u see ronnie making a comeback like that.

Exactly. As I said earlier Ronnie is showing as good a composure I've seen from him for a long time. That is why he managed to beat Williams in the end.

mdwexford · 12-08-2020 12:53am

Sandor Clegane wrote: »

Ronnie has been sporadic in this tournament at best, the first match he was playing a non entity, Ding was terrible and had chance after chance to punish Ronnie but consistently failed to do so, Ronnie played a bit better against Williams especially in the latter stages of the match but he still allowed Williams to amass a 7 - 2 lead, if he had let Selby do that he wouldn't be in the semi finals.

Look Ronnie is a great player so has a chance no doubt but overall in a best of 33 Selby is a heavy favorite.

The bookmakers disagree.

Ronnie 1/2
Selby 13/8

Genghis · 12-08-2020 12:56am

Ronnie is actually very successful in Semi final matches. According to cuetracker, this will be his 147th semi final (nice ring to that). He has won 106 of previous 146 semis.

Also see that Ronnie v Selby I head to head is 18/10 in favour of Ronnie.

But it's in the WCs where Mark dominated, open to correction but I think they have only met twice in WC and Selby won both.

https://cuetracker.net/head-to-head/mark-selby/ronnie-osullivan

AllForIt · 12-08-2020 1:09am

Sandor Clegane wrote: »

Ronnie has been sporadic in this tournament at best, the first match he was playing a non entity, Ding was terrible and had chance after chance to punish Ronnie but consistently failed to do so, Ronnie played a bit better against Williams especially in the latter stages of the match but he still allowed Williams to amass a 7 - 2 lead, if he had let Selby do that he wouldn't be in the semi finals.

Look Ronnie is a great player so has a chance no doubt but overall in a best of 33 Selby is a heavy favorite.

Noone is a non-entity in the first round of the Worlds.

Ding didn't play that badly, Ronnie had to win that match and he did.

I don't really get why you think Selby is a fav over Ronnie. Just because over 33 frames? Calling a favourite like the bookies do is based on current form, last years form, all sorts of factors. Imo the factors are on Ronnies side. You are free to disagree, but if you'r calling it just because of best of 33? Well I wouldn't do so on that basis, as if Ronnie can't hold himself together that long.

Mysterypunter · 12-08-2020 2:07am

Sultan of Bling wrote: »

Wouldnt be so sure. A lot including me wrote him off after the clarke game which finished after midnight and then he had to return the next day to face maflin who had a couple of days off.

He won that session 7-1.

He has shown real guts in deciders in this tournament. The pot on the blue v lisoskwi. The snooker behind the browmn and the comeback v clarke when his opponent was taking the pi$$.

A strong matchplayer.

McGill barely survived the first couple of rounds, and Wilson didn't have to play the first round, he produced a good standard to upset Judd, who was below par. At least we will know the answer when they play, predictions often don't work out. What will we do when it's all over:)

Pighead · 12-08-2020 10:54am

Sandor Clegane wrote: »

Ronnie has been sporadic in this tournament at best, the first match he was playing a non entity, Ding was terrible and had chance after chance to punish Ronnie but consistently failed to do so, Ronnie played a bit better against Williams especially in the latter stages of the match but he still allowed Williams to amass a 7 - 2 lead, if he had let Selby do that he wouldn't be in the semi finals.

Look Ronnie is a great player so has a chance no doubt but overall in a best of 33 Selby is a heavy favorite.

Sporadic yet still the heaviest scorer in the tournament. Also everybody talking up Selby but he has been poor for a couple of seasons now. He was even poor in his opening two rounds here. Yes, he was excellent against Robbo but still with a bit to prove before we can say he's back to his best.

Sultan of Bling · 12-08-2020 11:10am

Mysterypunter wrote:

McGill barely survived the first couple of rounds, and Wilson didn't have to play the first round, he produced a good standard to upset Judd, who was below par. At least we will know the answer when they play, predictions often don't work out. What will we do when it's all over

Only 8 months to wait for the next year's world's.

Brian? · 12-08-2020 11:24am

AllForIt wrote: »

Noone is a non-entity in the first round of the Worlds.

Ding didn't play that badly, Ronnie had to win that match and he did.

I don't really get why you think Selby is a fav over Ronnie. Just because over 33 frames? Calling a favourite like the bookies do is based on current form, last years form, all sorts of factors. Imo the factors are on Ronnies side. You are free to disagree, but if you'r calling it just because of best of 33? Well I wouldn't do so on that basis, as if Ronnie can't hold himself together that long.

I make Selby a big favourite because of how Ronnie played against Williams. Missed easy balls in so many frames. Selby won’t let him away with that. He’ll pinch frames every time.

Brian? · 12-08-2020 11:25am

Pighead wrote: »

Sporadic yet still the heaviest scorer in the tournament. Also everybody talking up Selby but he has been poor for a couple of seasons now. He was even poor in his opening two rounds here. Yes, he was excellent against Robbo but still with a bit to prove before we can say he's back to his best.

Selby looked like he did at his peak against Robertson. Pure granite. Peak Ronnie couldn’t handle peak Selby and Ronnie is no at his peak.

Augme · 12-08-2020 11:45am

Selby is massive value from a betting point of view. I think it's a very hard match to call but I'd have Selby as slight favourite given the current trajectories of both players. I think Selby is on an upswing form wise(pure looking at this tournament) at just the right time while Ronnie is either flattening or on a slight upward one.

Selby was excellent in the last round while I thought Ronnie was quite inconsistent. Ronnie can't afford a poor session like he did again mark and I just not that confident that Ronnie doesn't have one really bad session in him while I can't see Selby ending up 5-6 down at any stage.

I think Ronnie needs to come out strong and blow him out of the water as quickly as possible. if Selby takes 4 frame lead at any stage I think he will then just be in an ideal position to grind him down and frustrate him.

If I was Selby I'd be feeling very confident in my game plan and tactics. Not sure Ronnie would be feeling the same.

zuutroy · 12-08-2020 12:06pm

Whatever about missing the odd easy ball or throwing in a loose safety, I've not seen Ronnie this focused in a long time and I've watched pretty much every televised match of his for the last several years.

Here's Ronnie talking to Hendry about the 2014 final during the summer:

https://twitter.com/_RocketFan147/status/1293296570578984960

Pighead · 12-08-2020 12:22pm

Brian? wrote: »

Selby looked like he did at his peak against Robertson. Pure granite. Peak Ronnie couldn’t handle peak Selby and Ronnie is no at his peak.

Not entirely true. Ronnie well ahead on the head to head and if you're putting peak Selby in or around 2014 when Selby gave Ronnie a bit of a spanking in the World Final how would you explain the absolute tanking Ronnie gave Selby in the Masters final and also beat him in three subsequent matches after that 2014 final.

Think they've only played each twice at World's with one of them being a very close Selby win so not much evidence that Ronnie couldn't handle Selby at his peak.

Sandor Clegane · 12-08-2020 12:25pm

Pighead wrote: »

Sporadic yet still the heaviest scorer in the tournament. Also everybody talking up Selby but he has been poor for a couple of seasons now. He was even poor in his opening two rounds here. Yes, he was excellent against Robbo but still with a bit to prove before we can say he's back to his best.

No doubt the ability to score heavy is still there, but to me it feels like there is a kind of fragility to his game, he's missing so many easy pots and his judgment on shots has been questionable, Selby will punish him for this.

Im only judging them on the basis of this tournament, I know Selby's form has been poor for a while but to me he gets stronger as tournaments go on, if Ronnie continues playing the way he is then I feel Selby over a best of 33 will be just too much for him, we know Selby will battle and grind from start to finish.

You never though, if Ronnie can go up another gear and clean up his game, iron out those mistakes then obviously he's more than capable of winning.

ThewhiteJesus · 12-08-2020 12:30pm

Ronnie all day long for me, but i won't watch the bore that is Mark Selby.
All this he's a grinder and granite ect, his talent is limited in relation to the great players, the great breakbuilders.
So he basically plays in slow motion and will play safe, safe safe safe until a ball is basically hanging over a pocket where
he'll scrape over the line in a frame/match.
Worst snooker player to watch ever, imo.

Pighead · 12-08-2020 12:30pm

Sandor Clegane wrote: »

No doubt the ability to score heavy is still there, but to me it feels like there is a kind of fragility to his game, he's missing so many easy pots and his judgment on shots has been questionable, Selby will punish him for this.

Im only judging them on the basis of this tournament, I know Selby's form has been poor for a while but to me he gets stronger as tournaments go on, if Ronnie continues playing the way he is then I feel Selby over a best of 33 will be just too much for him, we know Selby will battle and grind from start to finish.

You never though, if Ronnie can go up another gear and clean up his game, iron out those mistakes then obviously he's more than capable of winning.

Time will tell but I think Ronnie's form has been better during this tournament. Scoring heavy, safety play very good. Positional play needs improving and has to cut out silly mistakes but he showed from 10-10 last night with Williams he has another gear. But for the missed blue in the last frame to seal the win it was a near flawless last three frames.

Yes, Selby will be feeling confident right now after beating Robbo but old doubts will surely surface if his back is up against the wall should Ronnie start well. Intriguing battle ahead.

2020 World Snooker Championship

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