28.3.13

PAINT IT BLACK

Mark Selby’s failure to pot the final black of what would have been a 147 break yesterday should not detract from what was a first class performance. Three centuries and two other big breaks were evidence of a return to fluency for Selby, at just the right time with the Crucible on the horizon.

Since winning the Masters in January Selby has appeared somewhat burned out, with off table issues also affecting his on table performances.

But in Beijing, accompanied by his wife, Vicki, who presumably would have had ideas on how to spend the £23,500 prize her husband would have won for the maximum, he has started really well, with Ricky Walden next up.

We’re down to the last 16 and several big hitters are staking a claim for the title.

Neil Robertson ran through his namesake, Jimmy, 5-0. Mark Allen advanced comfortably against Anthony McGill.

Robertson and Allen face each other for the first time since the Australian won their thriller at the Masters, his winning break initiated by a wonder pot while snookered.

I thought Mark Williams looked sharp in beating Lu Haotian but he’ll have to be again against Ali Carter.

Barry Hawkins seemed to grow anxious despite a 4-0 lead over Ding Junhui but in the end took his chance to win 5-3. He plays a fellow ranking event winner this season, Stephen Maguire.

Jack Lisowski played superbly against Judd Trump but his match with Mark Davis is entirely different. Lisowski practises with Trump and they basically play the same game. Davis has more old school nous and is aware that his young opponent could be susceptible to over confidence after such a terrific win.

Rory McLeod will be a stubborn opponent for Shaun Murphy while a couple of tough Scots in Graeme Dott and Marcus Campbell also lock horns.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Selby is way to negative in his shot selection it makes me laugh when he says ronnie has underachieved I don't think he's In a position to say that, ronnies achieved an awful lot in the game not many players can say they have won 4 world championships and 24 ranking event titles, and 11 maximum breaks, 2nd in the all time century list behind hendry and will soon beat that record if he keeps on playing. So my advice to mark would be shut up and focus on your own game mate. Ronnie for a 5th !!!

Anonymous said...

Sorry, it wasn't a wonder pot from Robertson in the Masters.It was a very good hit out of the snooker bouncing it into the bottom cush but it was pure luck that the ball went in.

Anonymous said...

11.42am

stick to subjects you have some sort of understanding for and leave the subject of snooker to others.

idiot.

Anonymous said...

11.42 - How can you say Selby is to negative in his shot selection when he's achieved World No1 status. He's very obviously doing something right as the current UK champion, and a multiple Masters and world ranking tournament winner so I don't think he's in a rush to listen to you mate!

With all the skill that Ronnie has in abundance I'd also say he has underachieved. You're correct in what he has won but I think even Ronnie would admit he should have won more for his one off ability. If he had Steve Davis mentality I'd say he would have won 7-8 World titles.

Jim said...

Does anyone know when the 2010/11 World Champ points are dropped, after the china open or after the worlds?. If not this tournament, what points are dropped. Is Robo going to be heading to Shefield as number one as long as he matches or beats Selby's result in china.

Anonymous said...

The split with his management company will either have a good or bad effect on his game. Currently it seems he is exactly the same player though, if a little more nonchelant.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure Sheffield is as wide open as some say.

Today's matches have given us a good idea of who is currently in form for Sheffield - I would say five strong contenders plus the unknown form of Ronnie.

I don't think Judd is a contender this year on current form & I think the pressure on Ding will be too great for the "big one".

JAMIE O'REILLY said...

Hi David. Another great day's play, today, in my view.

Marcus Campbell, did well, in a long battle, to beat Graeme Dott, 5-4.

Stephen Maguire played well, to beat Barry Hawkins, 5-1.

Stuart Bigham did well, to come back, from 3-1 down, to beat Robert Milkins, 5-3.

Mark Allen started well, against Neil Robertson, winning the first frame, with a 75 break, to lead, 1-0. Robertson, from there, turned on the style. He won frames two and three, to lead, 2-1, with back-to-back century breaks. Robertson missed a blue, in frame four, fluked it and cleared up, to lead, 3-1, at the mid-session interval. From there, Robertson won frame five, and six. The sixth, with a 72 break, that could have been a 147 maximum. Robertson won, 5-1.

Mark Selby played well, to beat Ricky Walden, 5-2.

Mark Williams did great, to come from 4-2 down, to Carter, and with breaks of 136, in frame seven, 81, in frame eight, and, 79, in frame nine, to win this great match, 5-4.

Shaun Murphy did well, to beat Rory McLeod, 5-3.

Jack Lisowski followed up his great win over Judd Trump, with a great win today. From 4-2 down, he did superbly well, to beat Mark Davis, 5-4. This is Lisowski's first appearance, in the last eight, of a professional ranking event. Well done to him.

I can not wait for more, this time, in the last eight, tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Idiot ? Say that to my face and I would smash you up !! I bet I know more about snooker than you, that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

It's very easy to say he should of won more but in every sport you need a bit of luck on the way, didn't hendry have a lot of luck in winning his 7 world titles, jimmy white should of won 2 of them when he was 14-8 up and in the deciding frame of the 94 final. I also believe the standard is much higher than it was in the 80s and 90s. So to win 4 world titles in the modern era is a great achievement.

Anonymous said...

O'sullivan, Higgins or robertson would be my bet. Trump has no chance so overhyped, how can they put him as favourite?

Anonymous said...

1142 is obviously a Ronnie troll

Anonymous said...

Your obviously an idiot