2020 World Snooker Championship

FR01 · 29-07-2020 11:29am #1

The draw for the final stages of the Betfred World Championship has been made.

The top 16 seeds were randomly drawn against the 16 players who came through the qualifying rounds, which finished on Tuesday night.

The draw is as follows:

Judd Trump v Tom Ford
Yan Bingtao v Elliot Slessor
Stephen Maguire v Martin Gould
Kyren Wilson v Anthony Hamilton
John Higgins v Matthew Stevens
David Gilbert v Kurt Maflin
Jack Lisowski v Anthony McGill
Mark Allen v Jamie Clarke
Mark Williams v Alan McManus
Stuart Bingham v Ashley Carty
Ding Junhui v Mark King
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Mark Selby v Jordan Brown
Shaun Murphy v Noppon Saengkham
Barry Hawkins v Alexander Ursenbacher
Neil Robertson v Liang Wenbo

Joe_ Public · 29-07-2020 11:56am

There will be upsets, just hard to pick them out from the list. You'd expect Trump to avoid the old curse though Ford can be tricky enough on his day.

Ronnie v Thepchaiya the obvious standout. Rockets set for launch. Blink and you miss.

Rothko · 29-07-2020 2:59pm

I could see Ursenbacher beating Hawkins.

fran38 · 30-07-2020 5:35am

I expect one or two upsets because the qualified players will be playing in front of little or no spectators so no 'crucible experience' jitters hopefully. That has to be a help to them while a hindrance to the seeds who tend to feed off of the bigger atmosphere.

gormdubhgorm · 30-07-2020 11:41am

fran38 wrote: »

I expect one or two upsets because the qualified players will be playing in front of little or no spectators so no 'crucible experience' jitters hopefully. That has to be a help to them while a hindrance to the seeds who tend to feed off of the bigger atmosphere.

Good point, would no big crowd mean that Ronnie is 'not boverred really'?

yermandan · 30-07-2020 12:14pm

The BBC Tv schedule is at the bottom of this link for those who don't have Eurosport

https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/53407605

Joe_ Public · 30-07-2020 12:28pm

May have jumped gun a bit with Anthony Hamilton rumour above so deleted it. Reports he's pulled out seem to be based on Hearn saying it on radio earlier but not sure Hearn did say any such thing. Wont be shocked if it happens but just a story as of yet.

Cosmo Kramer · 30-07-2020 12:45pm

There seems to be noticeably fewer Chinese players in the draw this year - is that to do with the pandemic or did they just not perform in qualifying?

Ronnie and Uh Nooh the standout first round match. Although Uh Nooh's style of play will likely play straight into Ronnie's hands.

Hamilton possibly pulling out due to crowds being let in? I had middle Saturday tickets for the original scheduling of this in April but let them go during the free return period. The Crucible didn't feel like somewhere I would want to be in the current situation, tiny venue with too much coughing and older people that you'd be concerned for.

Joe_ Public · 30-07-2020 12:57pm

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

There seems to be noticeably fewer Chinese players in the draw this year - is that to do with the pandemic or did they just not perform in qualifying?

Ronnie and Uh Nooh the standout first round match. Although Uh Nooh's style of play will likely play straight into Ronnie's hands.

Hamilton possibly pulling out due to crowds being let in? I had middle Saturday tickets for the original scheduling of this in April but let them go during the free return period. The Crucible didn't feel like somewhere I would want to be in the current situation, tiny venue with too much coughing and older people that you'd be concerned for.

About 10 chinese players didnt enter the qualifiers, including the likes of Zhao Xintong, Xiao Guadong, Zhou Yeulong and Yuan Sijun who'd all have had a good chance of making it so thats probably why it looks a bit thinner than usual. Not forgetting Marco Fu as well.

Thepchaiya bit unlucky to draw Higgins, Trump and O'Sullivan the 3 times he's qualified but i think he can just as easily say Ronnies style will suit him. Gave Judd an almighty scare last year so I'd definitely not rule him out. Plus, Ronnies moods always hard to predict. Might have game face on this year, might not be fully charged. I have frankly no clue with him anymore tbh.

ArmaniJeanss · 30-07-2020 12:57pm

Schedule until Monday. Asterisk is final session.

Friday Jul 31
Morning session – 10am
Judd Trump v Tom Ford
Stuart Bingham v Ashley Carty
Afternoon session – 2.30pm
Kyren Wilson v Anthony Hamilton
Ding Junhui v Mark King
Evening session – 7pm
Judd Trump v Tom Ford *
Mark Williams v Alan McManus

Saturday August 1
Morning session - 10am
David Gilbert v Kurf Maflin
Stuart Bingham v Ashley Carty *
Afternoon session – 2.30pm
John Higgins v Matthew Stevens
Ding Junhui v Mark King *
Evening session – 7pm
Kyren Wilson v Anthony Hamilton *
Mark Williams v Alan McManus *

Sunday August 2
Morning session – 10am
Yan Bingtao v Elliot Slessor
Neil Robertson v Liang Wenbo
Afternoon session – 2.30pm
John Higgins v Matthew Stevens *
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Thepchaiya Un-Nooh
Evening session – 7pm
Neil Robertson v Liang Wenbo *
David Gilbert v Kurf Maflin *

Monday August 3
Morning session – 10am
Jack Lisowski v Anthony McGill
Ronnie O’Sullivan v Thepchaiya Un-Nooh *
Afternoon session – 2.30pm
Yan Bingtao v Elliot Slessor *
Shaun Murphy v Noppon Saengkham
Evening session – 7pm
Jack Lisowski v Anthony McGill *
Mark Selby v Jordan Brown

Chalk McHugh · 30-07-2020 1:00pm

I think it's a great draw for the first round. I really dont think any match is a foregone conclusion and wouldn't be surprised if quite a few seeds won their match. Have people got short memories of Cahill beating Ronnie?

Ronnie has it all to do to win his opening game again. I could see Alan McManus, Gould, Ursenbacher, Stevens , McGill, Wenbo, Slessor, Thep, Noppon Saengham all going close or winning. Even Ford v Trump could cause an upset as they're all top players and the Crucible ha s thrown up manny a surprise. I just dont see matches at this level being a shock. Whatever happens we're in for a snooker feast for the next two weeks for a tournament that is in my top 5 sporting of every calender year.

Pighead · 30-07-2020 1:47pm

Ronnie giving out again today about spectators being allowed into the venue. Saying the players are being treated like 'lab rats'. Wouldn't surprise me if he wore some type of mask whilst playing. Would that actually be doable at this level or would it have an adverse affect on your game?

Chalk McHugh · 30-07-2020 1:54pm

Poor form from Wenbo cheating in the decider v Fergal O Brien. There's no chance that he didn't feel that. As big a fan of Ronnie i am i called him out for cheating blatany twice in last couple of years when many of his diehards turn a blind eye and go quiet. Cannot be one rule for one and different for another. Ronnie showed zero sportmanship in those two instances and Wenbo the same.

Cosmo Kramer · 30-07-2020 1:58pm

I find the masks uncomfortable enough to wear for a hour in the supermarket. It'd be very difficult to keep one on for a 9 or 10 frame snooker session, even with a mid session interval.

Inviere · 30-07-2020 2:00pm

Pighead wrote: »

Ronnie giving out again today about spectators being allowed into the venue. Saying the players are being treated like 'lab rats'. Wouldn't surprise me if he wore some type of mask whilst playing. Would that actually be doable at this level or would it have an adverse affect on your game?

The event is being held in accordance with all public health guidelines. I dunno, for me, there's no gun to anyone's head forcing them to play...if you don't feel safe, don't play

Not that Ronnie is averse to a good moan though

Joe_ Public · 30-07-2020 2:02pm

Anthony Hamilton rumour now confirmed. Bye into second round for Kyren Wilson.

https://twitter.com/1Snooker4Stats7/status/1288820502472130561?s=20

Joe_ Public · 30-07-2020 2:07pm

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

I find the masks uncomfortable enough to wear for a hour in the supermarket. It'd be very difficult to keep one on for a 9 or 10 frame snooker session, even with a mid session interval.

Can see players, well Ronnie anyway, wearing one while sitting possibly but no way at the table. Breathing an important part of keeping a steady cueing arm, would be too much of an imposition.

Chalk McHugh · 30-07-2020 2:09pm

If Ronnie wants to pull out too just do it and stop moaning. If he wants to wear a mask, gloves or a visor, just do it and stop moaning. After his blatant cheating it's hard to take him seriously any more.

Inviere · 30-07-2020 2:12pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Anthony Hamilton rumour now confirmed. Bye into second round for Kyren Wilson.

I can see why some of the qualifiers might be really, really annoyed by this. Pure asshole thing to do. It's not as if it's breaking news that there'll be people in watching...if that didn't suit him, the thing to do would have been not to engage in qualifying. There's a place gone at the crucible now that a qualifier could have had.

gormdubhgorm · 30-07-2020 2:56pm

Inviere wrote: »

I can see why some of the qualifiers might be really, really annoyed by this. Pure asshole thing to do. It's not as if it's breaking news that there'll be people in watching...if that didn't suit him, the thing to do would have been not to engage in qualifying. There's a place gone at the crucible now that a qualifier could have had.

Yeah, it is not as if his asthma suddenly appeared. Also leaves an asterix beside Kyren now as well. Because he would have had it handier than the rest of the players. Imagine he goes on to win it!

loyatemu · 30-07-2020 3:25pm

harsh on Hamilton calling him an asshole (I see Trump doing the same thing). This was his first time at the Crucible in years, it can't have been an easy decision to pull out. I assume with Ronnie also complaining he was waiting to see if the organisers changed their mind on letting spectators in. Could they not deem him eliminated in the final qualifier and invite Robertson to take his place (or Fergal O'Brien as the narrowest loser in the last round)?

Joe_ Public · 30-07-2020 3:25pm

Can probably see where Hamilton was coming from. He's a professional snooker player, its his livelihood and the qualifiers offered him his first chance at earning cash in five long months. Self employed too so wouldn't have qualified for any government schemes. I'm sure he didn't intend to cheat other players out of a crucible spot, they had the chance to beat him same as they'd have to beat any other opponent. Not going to win him any fans, but he's earned 20 grand and that could be the difference between a decent season and a bad one for him so I'd say his wife and kids would approve anyway!

Inviere · 30-07-2020 3:31pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Can probably see where Hamilton was coming from. He's a professional snooker player, its his livelihood and the qualifiers offered him his first chance at earning cash in five long months. Self employed too so wouldn't have qualified for any government schemes. I'm sure he didn't intend to cheat other players out of a crucible spot, they had the chance to beat him same as they'd have to beat any other opponent. Not going to win him any fans, but he's earned 20 grand and that could be the difference between a decent season and a bad one for him so I'd say his wife and kids would approve anyway!

Definitely a fair point, I hadn't considered the qualies would be a pay day for him.

Arthur Daley · 30-07-2020 3:43pm

Yeah, down at that level the few bob would be important. To be fair the guy may not have fancied the match and so the limited chance of him winning wasn't worth the perceived risk of competing with his asthma. I say perceived because I'm sure the risk to players and spectators that don't have weakened immune systems is fairly negligible at this stage and World Snooker will take loads of precautions here.

Joe_ Public · 30-07-2020 3:44pm

Inviere wrote: »

Definitely a fair point, I hadn't considered the qualies would be a pay day for him.

Am just playing devil's advocate really. But think thats how Hamilton might have seen it.

Cosmo Kramer · 30-07-2020 3:45pm

I wouldn't hold it against Hamilton to be honest. I'm really not convinced that the Crucible is the place to be trying out crowd bubble theories. 300 spectators plus players, officials, journalists, TV crews, stewards, staff and the rest just feels like far too many people in what is a very small space.

And that's with no underlying medical conditions. If I had severe asthma I wouldn't go near the place.

I don't think Hamilton is likely to be in a financial position to turn down the qualification prize money either. Presumably he will lose the first round defeat prize money or is that included in the qualification winnings?

Joe_ Public · 30-07-2020 3:57pm

I'd say he'll get the 20k first round loser cheque. I dont see how they could refuse it even if they wanted. It's not like he doesnt have a reasonable excuse for withdrawing by any standard which isn't why people are unhappy with him.

In other news, i see Shaun Murphy is already within the event bubble, having returned from attending a funeral in Portugal. Would be interesting to know how much freedom players will have to leave hotel and wander around town. For the qualifiers they had none. Being cooped up inside for up to 17 days isnt something every player will relish.

If Kyren can stay home for another week, thats a bit of a bonus for him.

Chalk McHugh · 30-07-2020 4:11pm

I'm sure he'll get the 20K first round loser money. To be honest i wouldn't be in any qay sympathetic to his financial situation. He's earned over 1.5 million on prize money alone and who knows what else from sponsorship and off table stuff.

Compared to the average man/woman working in low paid jobs in supermarkets or hospitality or hospits etc that had to turn up fpr work every day for minimum wage in some cases during the pandemic he's had a dream life he's done very well compared to most.

I agree with poster that said he probably feels deep down he wont beat Wilson, doesn't fancy it, his goal of winning the qualifiers and 20k is a good weeks work and nobody can really question him pulling out so no harm.

zuutroy · 30-07-2020 4:19pm

By the time you take out all of the travel and expenses, and plan for the fact that you're career ends at about 45-50 at best, lifetime earnings of £1.5m aren't really that great are they?

On the point about the bubble, surely keeping the player cooped up makes no sense when there are 300 unknowns in the room 2 or 3 times a day for 17 days?

Chalk McHugh · 30-07-2020 4:21pm

zuutroy wrote: »

By the time you take out all of the travel and expenses, and plan for the fact that you're career ends at about 45-50 at best, lifetime earnings of £1.5m aren't really that great are they?

On the point about the bubble, surely keeping the player cooped up makes no sense when there are 300 unknowns in the room 2 or 3 times a day for 17 days?

Add in his off table earnings and im sure it wouldn't be bad. Compared to the average man he's earned a nice wage doing something he loves. Not a bad life.

Joe_ Public · 30-07-2020 4:26pm

zuutroy wrote: »

By the time you take out all of the travel and expenses, and plan for the fact that you're career ends at about 45-50 at best, lifetime earnings of £1.5m aren't really that great are they?

On the point about the bubble, surely keeping the player cooped up makes no sense when there are 300 unknowns in the room 2 or 3 times a day for 17 days?

Its fair at best for a guy who was once top 10 in his sport and been a pro for 30 years. How some of the lower ranked guys keep at it year after year is a mystery to me, got to be a huge struggle to make it pay for a lot of them.

Still not sure how bubble works. I dont know can they keep lads locked up in a hotel for up to 17 days, hard to see how that could work.

ArmaniJeanss · 30-07-2020 5:35pm

I could see World Snooker hitting him for something financially.

Presumably those people who bought a seat for either session of his game are now entitled to ask for compensation. Obviously the screen will be up and they'll get a distant view of the other table but its not quite what they paid for.

And the TV companies are now reduced from 31 games to 30 games so may be looking for a pro rata rebate of what they paid.

So technically he might get paid the £20K but lose a bit of it to a disrepute fine.

ebbsy · 30-07-2020 6:26pm

I think Hamilton knew what he was doing the whole time.

He knew what condition he had.

He knew there would be crowds at the finals.

Should not be paid a cent in my view.

El_Duderino 09 · 30-07-2020 7:42pm

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Yeah, it is not as if his asthma suddenly appeared. Also leaves an asterix beside Kyren now as well. Because he would have had it handier than the rest of the players. Imagine he goes on to win it!

Listening to the snooker podcast today and they mentioned that Hamilton was vocal about opposing allowing fans. They said he has a friend who is only 35 but had a really bad COVID experience.

I don't get the animosity towards him. I thought we were respecting people's rights to not do things like that. I don't want to force people to take part if they don't want to. He qualified without any audience, got his 15 grand and the ranking points and decided to pull out before the audience got involved. He voiced his displeasure at the audience before now. It all seems perfectly legit to me.

He's very unlikely to get to the world championships again so I'd say he's giving up a lot and I trust he's not doing it fpippantly.

It causes me, as a fan, a slight, teeny-tiny reduction in my viewing pleasure and I respect his decision.

El_Duderino 09 · 30-07-2020 7:46pm

ebbsy wrote: »

I think Hamilton knew what he was doing the whole time.

He knew what condition he had.

He knew there would be crowds at the finals.

Should not be paid a cent in my view.

Totally unjustifiable position to take. He qualified fair and square and should get his money. If they want to create a rule for the future that says you don't get paid unless you play in front of the audience, that's fine. But that's not the case now aldo he's entitled to his money and his ranking points.

Joe_ Public · 30-07-2020 7:56pm

Hearn has stated he will get his full prize money so there doesnt seem any issue there.

Chalk McHugh · 30-07-2020 8:01pm

As a tv spectator there's no harm done with Hamilton pulling out as two matches are on at all time until the one table semi finals.

So we'll be seeing Ding v King tomorrow at 2.30 and the final session of Williams v Stevens on Sat evening.

Chalk McHugh · 30-07-2020 8:12pm

Isn't Hamilton in a nice place where he can afford to pull out of the games most lucrative tournament.

If i compare it to people working in supermarkets throughout the covid where i noticed in my local shops all the usual faces working all the time. From March to now during times when the covid was at its peak these people went to work where they had to deal with hundrefs of people with no masks every day.

And lots of these staff would be 50+ years of age and im sure some had underlying health conditions. But they still went to work because they had no choice and needed the money.

Same with nurses. Stepped up to the plate, were surrounded by fear and death but valiantly turned up and got the job done.

Shaun Murphy said are we to hide away 24/7 and not leave our houses again?

Of course nothing can be guaranteed but Hamilton had to attend two snooker sessions in a venue with 25% attendance (could be less as tickets left) which the snooker association together with health services deemed to be safe.

He's made his decision. Hope he enjoys watching the other games on the tv as its going to be great.

ebbsy · 30-07-2020 8:44pm

My problem with Hamilton is not that he's afraid of getting Covid.

He should not have not taken part in qualifying in the first place. First of all he distorted qualifying and then the first round proper.

There's no point in apologising to the 2 players now, its too late for them.

Rothko · 30-07-2020 9:20pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Totally unjustifiable position to take. He qualified fair and square and should get his money. If they want to create a rule for the future that says you don't get paid unless you play in front of the audience, that's fine. But that's not the case now aldo he's entitled to his money and his ranking points.

He's done all that at the expense of another player getting to the finals. That can't be defended.

Arthur Daley · 30-07-2020 10:23pm

Eve of the Crucible lads. It's good to be back.

El_Duderino 09 · 30-07-2020 11:48pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Isn't Hamilton in a nice place where he can afford to pull out of the games most lucrative tournament.
...

Yeah he's in a good position to be able to make that choice. Other people don't have the choice, mostly due to financial constraints, and I'm happy for him that he has the freedom to make that choice. He's never likely, an increasingly unlikely, to make it back to the world championship again so it was a big decision for him to surrender probably his last ever world championship finals.

I don't agree with his decision BTW. But he has a choice and I respect his choice.

El_Duderino 09 · 30-07-2020 11:52pm

Rothko wrote: »

He's done all that at the expense of another player getting to the finals. That can't be defended.

He got there at the expense of another player because he beat the other player fair and square. There's no way to argue otherwise. Perfectly defensible.

You could argue that the beaten player should be allowed to take his place, if you want.

Phibsboro · 31-07-2020 9:58am

Surprised at the criticism of Hamilton and tbh even more surprised at the general acceptance of snooker allowing an unmasked audience into the Crucible. He pulled out on the same day that the UK Gov announced new restrictions on large parts of Northern England (aka the areas surrounding Sheffield) banning meetings outside of your immediate household. I understand people want to get back to normal, but we are in the exact same situation as we were at the start of all this - the virus is the same, there are no treatments and no vaccine. All we have are social distancing and masks. Throwing both of those away, in an indoor setting, for a sport that isn't exactly known for the importance of the audience involvement seems .... unwise?

gormdubhgorm · 31-07-2020 10:22am

Phibsboro wrote: »

Surprised at the criticism of Hamilton and tbh even more surprised at the general acceptance of snooker allowing an unmasked audience into the Crucible. He pulled out on the same day that the UK Gov announced new restrictions on large parts of Northern England (aka the areas surrounding Sheffield) banning meetings outside of your immediate household. I understand people want to get back to normal, but we are in the exact same situation as we were at the start of all this - the virus is the same, there are no treatments and no vaccine. All we have are social distancing and masks. Throwing both of those away, in an indoor setting, for a sport that isn't exactly known for the importance of the audience involvement seems .... unwise?

I agree with your point that snooker does not need a crowd (only 980 max anyway) which is why I thought it would be OK without a crowd. Plus the crowd has to be quiet most of the time anyway!
However, I think the criticism of Hamilton is correct as it seemed very last minute.

zuutroy · 31-07-2020 10:24am

Balls set up well for a chance at a 147 in frame 1!

Chalk McHugh · 31-07-2020 10:25am

Opening frame 147?

zuutroy · 31-07-2020 10:25am

Balls are ideal now.

Chalk McHugh · 31-07-2020 10:27am

Odds on now. Its going to happen.

DelBoy Trotter · 31-07-2020 10:29am

Great chance for a 147 missed!

Chalk McHugh · 31-07-2020 10:29am

Disaster. Misses a sitter of a black. Will there be a better chance of a 147?

2020 World Snooker Championship

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