2020 World Snooker Championship

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.

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.

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.

Funny thing: people suggest he bored and ground robertson out of their qf, just playing safety and winnng the tactical exchanges. Yet most of the frames that went the distance in that match were actually won by Robertson. I think people tend to paint peak selby as this one dimensional character who can only win one way. Always thought he was at his imperious best when he mixed it up, attacked or defended at the right times, brilliant shot selection that rarely got it wrong. When his long game is on song, it makes him difficult to beat.

Also, noticing a few comments regarding tables playing a bit heavy. Robbo mentioned it yesterday and that probably helps selby a little if that continues on one table set up. Selby noticeably has always done well in china where those kind of conditions generally prevail.

I think Wilson must win this well, but there's nothing wrong with 14/1. He's surprised a few already.

ThewhiteJesus wrote: »

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.

He’s arguably the best player of the last 10 years and also is 6th in the all time centuries list, more than many of the “fancier” players like Ding, Murphy, Allen etc.

Positive start anyway.

ThewhiteJesus wrote: »

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.

Selby is a lot more than what you are describing.

Excellent everywhere. Similar to Higgins.

Break builder, potter, tactics, temperament, safety, stamina, concentration

He can beat you at any game...

He is top 5 or 6 all-time when all at peak

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Can't believe ronnie is favourite to win title. Both Wilson 10/3 and Selby 3-1 , grand on both and you still win 2k

Neither of whom may be in the final!

Hoping Wilson wins this one. I'm surprised to see McGill get into a 3-0 lead straight out of the blocks

Because of the magnitude and importance of this semi final i expect to see Ronnie play close to the best of his ability. He will know if he can beat Selby he will deep down fancy winning the final. No Trump. No Higgins. No Robertson. If you told him he'd reach the final v McGill or Wilson he'd be licking his lips.

He's definately nowhere near his peak and a bad miss is never far away but if he plays to his strengths and keeps knocking in heavy breaks when in the balls well then he is well capable of beating Selby.

Before when they played i think he didn't really respect Selby's game and thought his natural talent would be good enough and it used to kill him to lose to a player he felt was inferior. As the years have gone on Ronnie now accepts Selby's greatness and instead of fearing losing to him i think he now embraces the challenge of an equal. Thats a much better frame of mind to have.

Selby is a brilliant player but hasn't been as imperious over the last couple of years and Ronnie knows this. No doubt at times Selby's hard match play will grind away at Ronnie's gears and the relentless safety play, soul sapping roll ups and energy sapping wasting of time and studying shots for what seems an age is all coming Ronnie's way again. Selby's game face is a frightening sight on tv. Imagine having to look at him two feet away for four sessions of hard snooker? Good luck in that one Rocket.

Ronnie may laugh and joke about it now but i think he can handle Selbys torturous game a little better than before and because this is one more (and possibly last) great chance to get to another final it will ensure Ronnie gives 100% maximum attention and won't lose focus. Ronnie will be desperate to beat Selby in a big match at Sheffield. He has never forgotten his most painful defeat in that final loss and if he could somehow beat him in this huge semi final it would go a little way to soothing the agony of that defeat.

A really fascinating match as much in the psychological side as on the table itself. I'm letting my heart rule my head a little and think Ronnie will get one over on his old nemesis and go on to win the final.

Wilson has looked very edgy, some very nervy and loose shots. Plenty of experience so I'm more inclined to attribute it to the burden of expectation. Sometimes easier when you're not the very warm favourite.

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Because of the magnitude and importance of this semi final i expect to see Ronnie play close to the best of his ability. He will know if he can beat Selby he will deep down fancy winning the final. No Trump. No Higgins. No Robertson. If you told him he'd reach the final v McGill or Wilson he'd be licking his lips.

He's definately nowhere near his peak and a bad miss is never far away but if he plays to his strengths and keeps knocking in heavy breaks when in the balls well then he is well capable of beating Selby.

Yeah, if Ronnie is in the frame-of-mind for it, the Semi could arguably be a bigger test for him.