Masters 2020

Joe_ Public · 13-01-2020 10:27pm

Allen had a chance there and blew it. Still a long way back from 2-5 so probably of little consequence anyway. Wasnt at the races at all tonight.

Chalk McHugh · 13-01-2020 10:27pm

Seems like a really nice lad does Gilbert. He's sent Mark Allens barmy army home with nowt to cheer for. A lot of sad looking blokes in Northern Ireland football jerseys. Fair play Gilbert&#55357;&#56832;

waynescales1 · 13-01-2020 10:28pm

6-1, 96% pot success. Decent Masters debut.

Joe_ Public · 13-01-2020 10:32pm

Four matches so far, four favourites beaten. Surely judd will buck that trend tomorrow, though really hope murphy gives him a game.

DJIMI TRARORE · 13-01-2020 10:37pm

As good a display from Gilbert as I've seen in a while, seems to have been around a long time without doing a lot, still no11 in the world is a bit of a surprise to me

Chalk McHugh · 13-01-2020 10:41pm

Gilbert, as well as being a pretty sound bloke, has a lovely playing style, good cueist, nice rhythm and doesn't get too bogged down in slow play. I think he will become a bit of a crowd favourite if he isn't already one.

Joe_ Public · 13-01-2020 10:42pm

Always been a bit sceptical of the steve feeney sightright thing but gilbert gave him a lot of credit in his interview earlier today. Similar story to bingham i suppose, ability always there but how to unlock the extra 5% to make them contenders just took them a bit longer than others.

weemcd · 13-01-2020 11:22pm

Allen was pretty dire today. I really doubt he has the temperament to stay at the top of snooker for much longer, for all his talent.

Lets take nothing away from Gilbert though, he was potting everything and he could have won 6-0.

It's not been good for the favourites so far, surely Ronnie must be kicking himself he's not in this?

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 14-01-2020 2:46pm

Trump and Murphy at 1-1. Both players hitting the ball well. You'd have to give the edge to Trump, but this could be a good battle.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 14-01-2020 2:49pm

weemcd wrote: »

Allen was pretty dire today. I really doubt he has the temperament to stay at the top of snooker for much longer, for all his talent.

Allen was way off form last night, but I also think he really needs to lose some weight. He was heaving himself up on the table, trying to reach shots a slimmer man could have got with no problem. I think it's really limiting him as a player.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 2:49pm

Poor second frame from trump i thought, trying that plant was him at his reckless worst. No need to be getting carried away like that.

waynescales1 · 14-01-2020 2:50pm

Shaun Murphy consistently running out of position after making 20-30. Can’t beat Trump doing that.

waynescales1 · 14-01-2020 3:07pm

All that investment and effort gone into the new arena setup and they’ve got a noisy floorboard which the players and referee are stepping on every 15 seconds.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 14-01-2020 3:09pm

Trump misses an easy black and Murphy clears up to lead 2-1.

Chalk McHugh · 14-01-2020 3:51pm

After a brain fart miss by Murphy (misses so many stupid shots) Trump turns on the style and turns crowd pleaser with another ton. That stupid miss may be the match's turning point.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 14-01-2020 3:52pm

Murphy's loss of focus is costing him here.

Chalk McHugh · 14-01-2020 4:02pm

Trump plays a couple of desperately poor safeties and Murphy is in looking to make it 3-3.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 4:04pm

Apart from the couple of big breaks, judd hasnt been good. So casual, like he's forgotten all the lessons of good matchplay he's learned over the previous few years.

waynescales1 · 14-01-2020 4:35pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Apart from the couple of big breaks, judd hasnt been good. So casual, like he's forgotten all the lessons of good matchplay he's learned over the previous few years.

Yeah Trump is there for the taking, but both players are making so many basic errors. Impossible to call this match.

Chalk McHugh · 14-01-2020 4:37pm

Its an underdogs dream so far this week. Any chance of a higher seed stepping up to the plate? World num 1 Judd are you up to the task?

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 14-01-2020 4:51pm

Did Murphy intend to pot that red? Amazing shot if so.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 4:52pm

That was good from murphy to be fair.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 14-01-2020 4:53pm

Great clearance there by Murphy to lead 5-3.

Chalk McHugh · 14-01-2020 4:55pm

Trump needs to win 3-0 now to remain in the Masters. By golly if i had backed all 5 outsiders thus far i may even have been able to afford a few hours in Temple Bar tonight.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 4:56pm

Richard Embarrassed Guppy wrote: »

Did Murphy intend to pot that red? Amazing shot if so.

I think he did. Shot to nothing at the very least. Mightnt have expected to get it but red always heading towards pocket as davis pointed out.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 4:58pm

What the hell shot was that from trump? Lucky to get away with it.

Chalk McHugh · 14-01-2020 4:59pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

What the hell shot was that from trump? Lucky to get away with it.

Will Murphy hold it together? You'd have to say he will.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 5:08pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Will Murphy hold it together? You'd have to say he will.

On a plate now. Judd just off colour today, in fact been out of sorts a little while now.

taytobreath · 14-01-2020 5:11pm

This tournament isn't as important to players as it once was. Its not even a top 3 tournament anymore.

Its the ranking tournaments that means the most.

Chalk McHugh · 14-01-2020 5:13pm

taytobreath wrote: »

This tournament isn't as important to players as it once was. Its not even a top 3 tournament anymore.

Its the ranking tournaments that means the most.

Perhaps, but is is still prestigious and always will be. Bit of a downer to have those top 5 players gone already but time for others to get their name etched on that silverware and snooker folklore.

waynescales1 · 14-01-2020 5:18pm

Murphy got stronger as the match went on, deserved winner.

The Nal · 14-01-2020 5:20pm

I'd say the bookies are cleaning up this week.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 5:20pm

Good interview here and nice shout out for Fergal O'Brien.

Glenman · 14-01-2020 5:47pm

The favorite (higher seed) has lost in every match so far.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 14-01-2020 5:50pm

Glenman wrote: »

The favorite (higher seed) has lost in every match so far.

The higher-ranked players aren't a given in the remaining matches, either. John Higgins and Mark Williams have looked shaky of late. Jack Lisowski showed in the Scottish Open that he has the game to beat nearly anyone.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 6:06pm

Remaining matches look very even. Not sure who's favourite in betting between Williams and Bingham. The latter has appeared in 9 masters and lost in first round in 8 of them so couldnt be backing him anyway. Just doesnt seem to like the place.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 14-01-2020 6:12pm

Williams has lost in the first round of the Masters three out of the last four years. The only reason he's still so highly ranked is because of his World Championship win in 2018. His recent form hasn't been at all impressive. So I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Bingham beat him.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 7:21pm

Bingham is ever so slightly bookies favourite so definitely won't be a shock if he wins. Personally i couldnt have his record here but sods law often dictates on these things! Not that williams exactly inspires either, but his 3 first round defeats here were at the hands of robertson and both ronnie and selby in deciders. Recent form more of a worry alright, hard to tell with him these days. Fancy both other underdogs, Hawkins and lisowski to come through their matches.

Chalk McHugh · 14-01-2020 9:39pm

Hawkins is not at the races. Sounded very nervous talking to Rachel Casey pre match. Just doesn't look comfortable. This match is done.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 10:01pm

Last interview i saw with hawkins pre xmas he was complaining of exhaustion and I'd say he wasn't the only one. Thought the break might have freshened him and he has a habit of picking up form latter stages of season. Up against it here though.

Joe_ Public · 14-01-2020 10:04pm

Slim just left town. Stick a fork in it.

weemcd · 14-01-2020 10:55pm

John Higgins would have been a bit of a dark horse for this, in the betting last week, but not now!

Interesting tournament so far. I've not seen all but I've caught glimpses of most matches. Aside from tonight has there been a dull match?

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 15-01-2020 12:11pm

Aside from his face-saving century in the penultimate frame, Hawkins was beyond woeful last night. It was hard to believe we were watching a top-16 player. There was some allusion to him having unspecified problems off the table, but it was painful to watch.

Higgins didn't look great either. He grew visibly tired and lost focus as the match went on.

David Gilbert could be a dark horse in this tournament, as could Jack Lisowski.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 15-01-2020 12:24pm

weemcd wrote: »

Aside from tonight has there been a dull match?

I thought Higgins/Hawkins was a one-sided and dull match (Higgins's B-game versus Hawkins's D-game), but most of the others have been really good. The pick of the first round so far would have to be Maguire's comeback against Robertson from 1-5 down.

I'm looking forward to Wilson/Lisowski. Bingham/Williams has the potential to be a stinker, but it all depends on how they rise to the occasion.

Chalk McHugh · 15-01-2020 12:28pm

Richard Embarrassed Guppy wrote: »

I thought Higgins/Hawkins was a one-sided and dull match (Higgins's B-game versus Hawkins's D-game), but most of the others have been really good. The pick of the first round so far would have to be Maguire's comeback against Robertson from 1-5 down.

I'm looking forward to Wilson/Lisowski. Bingham/Williams has the potential to be a stinker, but it all depends on how they rise to the occasion.

Funny how we all see it differently. I dont like anything about Kyren Wilson and find him incredibly tedious. As a result i will gladly forfeit watching his match today.

On the other hand i am looking forward to watching this evenings game as i enjoy watching both players. Think Bingham will win but Williams is a wiley old fox so will be interesting.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 15-01-2020 12:36pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Funny how we all see it differently. I dont like anything about Kyren Wilson and find him incredibly tedious. As a result i will gladly forfeit watching his match today.

I'm more interested in watching Lisowski than Wilson, tbh. He impressed me in the Scottish Open and I'd love to see him do well here.

Chalk McHugh · 15-01-2020 12:37pm

I wouldn't call it a vintage Masters. Ronnie in the Eurosport studio just doesn't sit well. The first 5 top seeds losing is another blow to the tournament as Ding, Selby, Robbo, Trump are huge names in the game and their absence will be felt.

Still, it's a prestigious tournament and no doubt there will be a few talking points and great matches before the week is done.

nkl12xtw5goz70 · 15-01-2020 12:48pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

I wouldn't call it a vintage Masters. Ronnie in the Eurosport studio just doesn't sit well. The first 5 top seeds losing is another blow to the tournament as Ding, Selby, Robbo, Trump are huge names in the game and their absence will be felt.

Again, a difference of opinion :pac:

I like unpredictable tournaments. There's nothing more tedious than the same old faces in the semifinals every time. David Gilbert winning the Masters would be a great outcome, IMO — far more exciting than watching Ronnie win it for the 8th time.

Chalk McHugh · 15-01-2020 12:55pm

Richard Embarrassed Guppy wrote: »

Again, a difference of opinion :pac:

I like unpredictable tournaments. There's nothing more tedious than the same old faces in the semifinals every time. David Gilbert winning the Masters would be a great outcome, IMO — far more exciting than watching Ronnie win it for the 8th time.

Yea be great to see Dave Gilbert win. Wouldn't mind Higgins winning his third title but i agree with you that even though he hammered Hawkjins he didn't really look that good.

Joe_ Public · 15-01-2020 2:24pm

Potting machine this lad. Always good to watch.

Masters 2020

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