The Masters 2021

[Cue crafty]

disappointing for Gilbert, struggle to see him ever pushing on from here sadly tbh, JH wasnt at his best tonight and surrendered a few chances to Dave, this was possibly the best chance Dave will ever get to being in a major final. Again, i feel temperament was at fault and even if he had won, maybe Bingtao's temperament and belief would have won through.... ? I think Dave has the talent, but maybe not the belief in himself...?

[Billy]

Looks like Gilbert surrendered out of tiredness/ exhaustion/ boredom with that unnecessary incursion in the pack after potting the blue.

I thought exactly the same thing. There was a moment when John was taking rather a long time to sort out all the extentions for a shot he couldn't reach, and the camera flicked over to Dave. He was rubbing his eyes and sighing like he just wanted to get out of there and get to bed.

[mikee]

Hopefully Yan can win ,I don’t see him being fazed by the occasion .

[Cue crafty]

Hopefully Yan can win ,I don’t see him being fazed by the occasion .

i agree Mikee, I’m tired of hoping talented players will find the balls to win. If Yan steps up and wins it, good luck to him.

[JimMalone]

I have been thinking this for a while now, I don't know what you think about it. During the last year I have heard different players, including Ding (!), answering the question "When will we have the first Chinese World Champion?" in the same way, like "I don't see anybody" and, if making specific names, Yan was never mentioned. As I see it, Yan is now pretty much the same player Kyren was 3 years ago, with the advantage of being much younger. So, if Kyren gets so much credit as a future WS champion, why so many players don't believe in Yan? If I had to bet between the two (about winning any time in the future, not about who wins first), I would actually place my money on Yan. OK, throw me your rotten tomatoes now, I'm ready

Hasn't Yan been often picked as somebody, who could become the first Chinese World champion? It's just difficult to make clear predictions as there are right now many players that could win over the next few years and after that period it's really tough to predict how players will develop.
However I think at this point you certainly have to take Yan into the equation. He still only turns 21 next month and he will likely finish a second season in a row within the top 16 already. Players that are over a longer period quite successful at such young age mostly stay there if they have the right mind and this doesn't seem to be any kind of problem with Yan.

As for Ding I can also imagine that he definitely doesn't want to put any pressure on Yan. He knows himself how difficult it is to deal with it.

As for today's final I fancy Higgins to win it though. I think he will be able to counter Yan's strength with his own matchplay and eventually experience on his side and pressure on Yan's (though Yan can cope very well with pressure for his young age) could be decisive factors.

[mikee]

There no doubt about it ,Yan seems to have a granite temperament ,where as Ding looks suicidle when he loses a frame he should have won .I’m going Yan 10-7 .I just think Higgins form is too sketchy these days .

[JimMalone]

Very rusty affair so far, especially in the third frame. Both seemed almost trying to give that frame away.

[JimMalone]

I think Higgins might run away with this one now.

[Cue crafty]

Pressure will be huge on Higgins tonight, he has lost 3 world finals and this is his biggest chance to get back in the winning circle in a big event. His experience is immense but with age, those world finals won’t help his mind tonight.

On the other side, Bingtao at 21 won’t be called a failure if he loses tonight so will feel less pressure. I really think JH will still need to be vintage tonight to win, if he missed a few early his confidence will drop and he will need every last drop of his great mental reserve to get the job done.

whoever wins though is a good result for snooker I think. Should be good viewing!

[vmax]

So where's the Higgins that turned up against Ronnie ?

[Billy]

My mind must be deteriorating worryingly quickly. It's 8:30 and I'm sat here flicking through the channels, moaning because there's nothing to watch. I've missed a full 90 minutes of this final's final session!!

[MrRottweiler]

I had a nap and didn't wake up until 9:15 so missed the first four frames.

[MrRottweiler]

I can't bear watching John when he's playing like this.

[Zelig]

What a moment! (9-8 Yan)...

[Billy]

So, who is the moron on the clapometer who doesn't know a good safety shot when he sees it?