2022 World Championship

[Odrl]

But I liked this one even better, because it's a rare time that O'Sullivan got in first with a long pot. Looking ahead to tomorrow and Monday, that's what he will need, because his next opponent is unlikely to waste their own scoring chances early in the frame like Higgins has been doing.

[Benni_Murielli]

Higgins has gone here.

[fkhan]

My dream is to see Ronnie beat Trump in the final. Nothing against Williams though.

[Cue crafty]

Not seen Ronnie try this hard probably ever before. His head must hurt from the concentration level he’s achieved today.

terrific stuff.

[cueman]

Pretty disrespectful crowd in for this session. Applauding fluked snookers and cheering Mark. I know some fans have their favourites but I think it lacks class.

Get the feeling Rob walker has whipped them up to support Williams beforehand, we know how much walker loves Williams and there is a huge bias from those behind the scenes with regards CO 92. Just think it's harsh that the crowd just don't show equal respect.

[JimMalone]

This has sadly to be one of the worst world championship matches Higgins has played in terms of break-building. He often got the first chance through his safety play (well, at least one thing that worked well for most of the match), but except that one century he absolutely looked lost when in the balls. Almost no positional play and so many easy potting mistakes.

Thankfully the other semifinal is looking to become a thriller right now.

[Starsky]

Just tuned in to watch Williams make a century and level the match, what a turn around

As they walked out for the mid session break I actually felt a bit sorry for Trump as he looked a bit startled and in shock, then I came to my senses

[PatBlock]

This has sadly to be one of the worst world championship matches Higgins has played in terms of break-building. He often got the first chance through his safety play (well, at least one thing that worked well for most of the match), but except that one century he absolutely looked lost when in the balls. Almost no positional play and so many easy potting mistakes.

Thankfully the other semifinal is looking to become a thriller right now.

He's had a long tough season, lost in 5 major finals, I think he's psychologically drained. I'm amazed he got this far tbh.

-

[balkend]

Just tuned in to watch Williams make a century and level the match, what a turn around

As they walked out for the mid session break I actually felt a bit sorry for Trump as he looked a bit startled and in shock, then I came to my senses

Marshall Rooster Cogburn

[fkhan]

Wouldn't it be a good idea to give the semi finalists a 1 day break?

[Zelig]

Pretty disrespectful crowd in for this session. Applauding fluked snookers and cheering Mark. I know some fans have their favourites but I think it lacks class.

Get the feeling Rob walker has whipped them up to support Williams beforehand, we know how much walker loves Williams and there is a huge bias from those behind the scenes with regards CO 92. Just think it's harsh that the crowd just don't show equal respect.

I agree but at the same time I am happy that for once the bias is for Williams and not the usual suspects: when I've attended matches with ROS, the overreaction of the crowd to even the silliest pot by Ronnie was ...disturbing, to say the least. I guess having the crowd against you sometimes needs to be considered part of the job, and showing character in these situations is part of the justification of the money the pros get when they reach these levels.

Having said that (and agreed with the bias) it must be recognized that frame 28 was an absolute jewel, I was speechless while watching it!

[JimMalone]

He's had a long tough season, lost in 5 major finals, I think he's psychologically drained. I'm amazed he got this far tbh.

-

Yeah, I was thinking this might be the reason as well. He wasn't playing well also in the earlier rounds, but somehow managed to win with his C-Game.

[cueman]

I agree but at the same time I am happy that for once the bias is for Williams and not the usual suspects: when I've attended matches with ROS, the overreaction of the crowd to even the silliest pot by Ronnie was ...disturbing, to say the least. I guess having the crowd against you sometimes needs to be considered part of the job, and showing character in these situations is part of the justification of the money the pros get when they reach these levels.

Having said that (and agreed with the bias) it must be recognized that frame 28 was an absolute jewel, I was speechless while watching it!

I actually blame Rob walker a lot for much of this. He's massively involved in the audience reactions, if you go to a venue he will whip the crowd up to support the underdog. Knowing Williams was behind for much of the game, I wouldn't be surprised if Walker played to the crowds emotions to really get behind him, and it does work.

It's tough to play against when you feel you have momentum, the crowd is massively on your side, O'Sullivan and Williams have rarely if ever had the crowd against them. Higgins and trump on the other hand have a lot of haters and it's doubly hard for them to deal with. People massively understate it.

[Starsky]

I actually blame Rob walker a lot for much of this. He's massively involved in the audience reactions, if you go to a venue he will whip the crowd up to support the underdog. Knowing Williams was behind for much of the game, I wouldn't be surprised if Walker played to the crowds emotions to really get behind him, and it does work.

It's tough to play against when you feel you have momentum, the crowd is massively on your side, O'Sullivan and Williams have rarely if ever had the crowd against them. Higgins and trump on the other hand have a lot of haters and it's doubly hard for them to deal with. People massively understate it.

I think sometimes it’s the opposite .
Having all the crowd on your side and willing you to win puts its own pressures on the players they support . The expectation and adulation is not necessarily a good thing in my mind with Jimmy White being a prime example in the Worlds.

The true champions will use any crowd that are against them as motivation to win the match just like Hendry and Davis did all those years ago.

[cueman]

Trump has had literally no luck this entire match up. Williams had everything plus crowd support.