2024 German Masters

[DeanH]

I'm going today and I cannot wait - Trump vs Si is two fast potting machines. On sheer raw ability, Si is up there with Trump, but Trump's vast experience must make him favourite.

FWIW - a back row ticket, for all day both sessions, was 86 euros.

SnookerfromtheThatcherEra
have a great day, PM sent

[Cue crafty]

Let's hope they both play well today and give us some fireworks!! 🎇 🎆 🔥 🙏💥

[DeanH]

Congratulations to Tatiana Woollaston for her first major final!

Long time coming some may say.

[cueman]

Disappointed with the first session, was expecting an exciting game but so far it's just felt a little flat. Trump seems to have become a hybrid of Higgins and Selby, he's just a very strong all rounder but it's his safety which is often the decisive factor in his matches. Despite his experience and dominance this season, he still plays finals as though he hasn't won one for ages.

I'd expect by now he would settle and play his best, but he doesn't seem to perform well in finals, it's more about wearing down his opponent through solid match play. Not easy to keep on winning but performing below par, at some point he's going to need to find his 'A' game because I'm not convinced this is enough to land the big majors which is going to be black mark against his lack of triple crowns.

[PatBlock]

Very impressive from Judd so far, looks unstoppable. After Si's 123 he's cranked up the pressure, great safety, opening pots and break-building, that'll do it.
Hope I'm wrong, but I think Si's done.

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[PatBlock]

Well deserved. Anyone know how many people were there tonight?

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[Cue crafty]

Such a very strong performance from Judd, the ring craft from him is subtle but so well articulated it almost looks lucky. He's at the top of his game not because he potting everything in sight but because he has all bases covered from a shot choice perspective. It really is an experience to behold the way his shot choices narrow down any chances for his opponents!

Great win well deserved, have to say Si is by far my favourite players from China, he has an energy and personality and style of play that really appeals to me. Hope he pushes on. 🙏

[Cue crafty]

Disappointed with the first session, was expecting an exciting game but so far it's just felt a little flat. Trump seems to have become a hybrid of Higgins and Selby, he's just a very strong all rounder but it's his safety which is often the decisive factor in his matches. Despite his experience and dominance this season, he still plays finals as though he hasn't won one for ages.

I'd expect by now he would settle and play his best, but he doesn't seem to perform well in finals, it's more about wearing down his opponent through solid match play. Not easy to keep on winning but performing below par, at some point he's going to need to find his 'A' game because I'm not convinced this is enough to land the big majors which is going to be black mark against his lack of triple crowns.

He's learned through fear against the likes of Ronnie, that if you drop your guard even for a shot you can be punished to the max. It's built a strong game that works on percentages that deliver the wins he desires to build a career that stands alongside the great players of this game.

[itsnoteasy]

Nice to see a new face winning a tournament
Well done Judd, played well tonight and really deserved it.
I'm with CC, I really like Si, just has a way about him and is great to watch when in the zone, I hope he wins something soon.

[SnookerfromtheThatcherEra]

Just got back - that was a fantastic line-up and match, even though in the end the result wasn't close, and I wanted Si to win - as a new face and more than worthy.

Two fast-playing absolute potting machines going head to head, it was properly played in the spirit of Jimmy White/Alex Higgins/Joe Johnson/Jack LIswoski/Tony Drago - just pretty much full on attack and long potting from both players. Lovely and exciting to watch. Trump ultimately had the better of the safety exchanges, but Si never stopped going for anything. He really must have the cleanest long game in the game today, alongside Robertson and Trump himself.

Always thought Si didn't get enough credit for his run to the semis at Sheffield last year, after Brecel won the whole thing, but he's such an exciting player to watch.

Tempodrom was full - just under 3,000 people, I think. Great atmosphere - quiet and respectful, but really give it some oomph, and know their snooker. Venue reminds me of Wembley Conference Centre, even though I never went in the flesh - 300 degree circular seating. Bit further away than at Wembley, but great sightlines and good acoustics (it's also a music venue). Nice park with football pitch in front, and bombed train station from WW2, and very central. Only 86 euros for a day ticket for both sessions. I say "only", obviously that's real money, but seems good value these days to me for both sessions of a final in a great venue.

[PatBlock]

Just got back - that was a fantastic line-up and match....

Nice review, thanks.

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[DeanH]

Well deserved. Anyone know how many people were there tonight?

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commentators said anywhere from 2500 to 3000

[cueman]

The missed red from Si at 5-4 was a huge moment. Starting the last session with a century, he had the momentum and as we've seen, Judd can struggle in finals if his opponent takes the game to him. He was in stroke and looking strong, dare I say it but if he pots that, he probably goes on to win that frame and 5-5 it's a different contest. Trump's back to back centuries all but sealed it and killed Si's belief.

What I have seen of Si and some of the other younger Chinese players, they have that easy miss in them that hinders their game. Obviously a concentration issue, its very difficult to develop top level concentration, it's a skill which gets ignored but in snooker it's a vital ingredient to be a true elite of the game and be a serial winner. That's the one thing Trump has in abundance, Ronnie too has it when he's in the right frame of mind, it's why they along with Zhang Anda have been the stand out most consistent performers this season.

[SnookerfromtheThatcherEra]

The missed red from Si at 5-4 was a huge moment. Starting the last session with a century, he had the momentum and as we've seen, Judd can struggle in finals if his opponent takes the game to him. He was in stroke and looking strong, dare I say it but if he pots that, he probably goes on to win that frame and 5-5 it's a different contest. Trump's back to back centuries all but sealed it and killed Si's belief.

What I have seen of Si and some of the other younger Chinese players, they have that easy miss in them that hinders their game. Obviously a concentration issue, its very difficult to develop top level concentration, it's a skill which gets ignored but in snooker it's a vital ingredient to be a true elite of the game and be a serial winner. That's the one thing Trump has in abundance, Ronnie too has it when he's in the right frame of mind, it's why they along with Zhang Anda have been the stand out most consistent performers this season.

Agree with this - and there were times Trump changed his mind, got up off the shot, and played something more conservative (within the context of a very fast, flowing, potting, match). Could almost see him willing himself to concentrate/be conservative.

To be fair to Si, the kid is only 22, and not lacking self-confidence in the slightest, so I hope there are great things ahead for him - he's such a joy to watch. (and I compare this with the Mark Allen bore-athon I saw on the opening Monday night, where Allen slowed his game right down, never made more than a 60, and the whole thing was an itty-bitty, scratchy, woeful quality, 4 hour 15 minute snooze. And I say that as someone who likes Allen, and had money on him to win the tournament at 14-1.)

[vmax]

The missed red from Si at 5-4 was a huge moment. Starting the last session with a century, he had the momentum and as we've seen, Judd can struggle in finals if his opponent takes the game to him. He was in stroke and looking strong, dare I say it but if he pots that, he probably goes on to win that frame and 5-5 it's a different contest. Trump's back to back centuries all but sealed it and killed Si's belief.

What I have seen of Si and some of the other younger Chinese players, they have that easy miss in them that hinders their game. Obviously a concentration issue, its very difficult to develop top level concentration, it's a skill which gets ignored but in snooker it's a vital ingredient to be a true elite of the game and be a serial winner. That's the one thing Trump has in abundance, Ronnie too has it when he's in the right frame of mind, it's why they along with Zhang Anda have been the stand out most consistent performers this season.

If that easy miss is missed thick then it's probably a bad contact and nothing any player can do about that. I watched the first session and found it boring and as I play sunday nights myself I didn't bother catching it up yesterday, seems I missed a better session. Well done Judd, player of the season so far with four titles, next weeks ITV tourny should be a good one, super fast Rasson table with their obligitory bucket pockets should see either Judd or Mark Allen as favourites unless Ronnies chalk has a say in it