2023 & 2024 Northern Ireland Open

[cueman]

Wakelin is a very hard player to play against, this won't be a walk in the park for Trump as everyone seems to be expecting.

The thing with wakelin, like Selby, he'll draw you into tactical frames and is very adept at slowing his opponent down, frustrating them and forcing the issue. That is what lisowski struggled with and I see a similar pattern today. Trump has more patience and experience, but I still feel wakelin can get under his skin a little bit. I predict wakelin 10-7, I think the pressure on trump to win 3 in a row will play on his mind

[DeanH]

Wakelin is a very hard player to play against, this won't be a walk in the park for Trump as everyone seems to be expecting.

The thing with wakelin, like Selby, he'll draw you into tactical frames and is very adept at slowing his opponent down, frustrating them and forcing the issue. That is what lisowski struggled with and I see a similar pattern today. Trump has more patience and experience, but I still feel wakelin can get under his skin a little bit. I predict wakelin 10-7, I think the pressure on trump to win 3 in a row will play on his mind

Did I hear correctly that Wakelin has been "working" with Selby; whether that is actual coaching or just playing lots together I don't know, also for how long?

I agree that Wakelin should be a tough match for Trump and that Trump wont be complacent.

[Philpot]

Anyone know what make of cue Chris Waklelin is using ( maple shaft ebony butt). Brass it titanium ferrrule

[cueman]

They've played together for years, at atack snooker club. Not sure they still play together now nor at the same club.

[DeanH]

Anyone know what make of cue Chris Waklelin is using ( maple shaft ebony butt). Brass it titanium ferrrule

Last I heard, since 2015 uses a Maximus.

[itsnoteasy]

Pretty good from Trump , I thought he'd be running on fumes today and it might just be a match to far but fair doos he was excellent.

[Cue crafty]

So once again the pundits unite in that, Judd is an incredible player! What a fickle world the snooker fraternity is. I guess his cue action is ok again now?!?! 🙄

all a talented player like Judd needs is a confidence boost, like most people talented, average or otherwise…

well done Judd, great player, great talent, just another world championship and he is welded into the all time top talents of the game.

[cueman]

Made my prediction look a bit silly, haha.

Unbelievable achievement to win 3 in a row over different formats, 3 different countries and having some superb comebacks along the way.

Also worth noting he was also runner up in European to Hawkins, also won an invitational event in china a few months back, it's an astonishing run of form, pretty much unprecedented this century.

[Rane]

Well done by Trump. The first player from the younger generations to pass one from the class of 92 in total wins.

[vmax]

Wakelin's safety was very poor, contacting the baulk colours and leaving Judd with his hand on the table far too often, caught the blue on his break off first two times. Got to hand it to Judd though, he's got his cue action back after the US open pool debacle, he's the man to beat now and could very well go on to break all records.

[Rane]

Wakelin's safety was very poor, contacting the baulk colours and leaving Judd with his hand on the table far too often, caught the blue on his break off first two times. Got to hand it to Judd though, he's got his cue action back after the US open pool debacle, he's the man to beat now and could very well go on to break all records.

I think it´s too late for him to equal O´Sullivan or Hendrys number of tripple crown wins, but otherwise I agree.

[Cue crafty]

Difficult watching Brecel struggle so much but any snooker players watching this match currently, will know how he's feeling out there. Sometimes you can't buy a break.

Maybe just maybe the snooker gods are going to give him that break. Never seen He Guoqiang play this poorly but it's been scrappy and that would appear not to suit him.

[PatBlock]

For those who missed it, here's a rather strange post match interview with Luca Brecel.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rzy3v...u114oddeu&dl=0

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[trains]

Isnt that 3 - 0 for Moody vs Ryan Day this season ?

And its all gone quiet over there. Chorus

[Cue crafty]

For those who missed it, here's a rather strange post match interview with Luca Brecel.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rzy3v...u114oddeu&dl=0

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Yes he's not maybe the consummate professional in many ways but I think he knows himself as a person, and knows he isn't able to dedicate himself in a way that would possibly work for other players. For some people the harder they push forward the further away the carrot seems to get.