World Open 2012

[Pude]

Breakdowns

Is it possible to get breakdowns for these 4 QF matches? Loved those quarter ones. I know it's bit late already, but if you got time to do so :P

[montoya10]

It looks like it's another 3 out of 8 for you, Odrl.
But hands down, there were numerous upsets that were tough to foresee, so that's a good number

Higgins to win it all, is my prediction from now on.
Murphy will prove to be a challenge, anyway.

[daffie]

Glad to see Allen go through...he played very well. Trump was acting rather like the spoiled brat. He really needs to learn how to dig-in and fight for a frame every now and then...

Same for Milkins...I just can't stand that guy. He really needs some discipline around the table...it's disrespecful to the other player imo. Good match though for Jin Long.

Glad to see Higgins go through as well. Cope didn't stand a chance...

[montoya10]

Same for Milkins...I just can't stand that guy. He really needs some discipline around the table...

He gets his fair share of string of losses with his temperamental style, anyway.

And I'm happy to see Judd being handed a couple of tough defeats, so that he will definitely come to think of revising his game a bit and sharpen its rusty sides. Will be good for him in the long term, I guess.

[Odrl]

Is it possible to get breakdowns for these 4 QF matches? Loved those quarter ones. I know it's bit late already, but if you got time to do so :P

I usually post a quick prediction for each match when we get to this stage, so here you go...

John Higgins v. Robert Milkins: The most one-sided match on paper. They played in the German Masters last season, Higgins' last match before he got the news about his father. It was a 5-3 victory on that occasion. I didn't see how Milkins beat Maguire, his most impressive win of the tournament so far, so I don't know whether he was really tested or not. Jin Long was obviously a less experienced opponent, and Milkins' performance against Thirapongpaiboon was a bit suspect from 4-0 up. He got very nervy and frustrated when things started going against him. He has always been a player who leaves chances for his opponent, unless he has a brilliant breakbuilding day, and this could prove very dangerous against Higgins. Especially the Higgins we've seen this week, his best form of the season probably. He was tested against Fu and responded very well, and he punished most of Cope's mistakes. That, combined with his tactical superiority and experience at this level, should see him prevail over Milkins, I would say 5-2ish.

Graeme Dott v. Stephen Lee: Looking forward to this one. Stephen Lee is probably having the best sustained period of good form since being out of the top8. This is his third successive QF appearance. We've not seen him play on TV this week, but we can speculate, by his demolition of Dominic Dale and his surprisingly comfortable win over Robertson, that he has pretty much kept his good recent form. Dott hasn't been on TV either, so he is another mystery. He played two good tactical players, probably slightly weaker scorers than Lee, so he needs to be ready to up his game now. When I think about the previous matches between Lee and Dott, I always remember the 1st round of the Masters in 2008, when Lee made a tremendous clearance to win the decider on the black. This was during a period when nothing was going for Dott, but then again, Lee is playing better now as well. I think Lee is probably favourite, but I wouldn't be surprised if it went all the way.

Mark King v. Mark Allen: It was a good performance from King to take out Williams, he didn't look under pressure at all. Well, maybe he wasn't, because he was not expected to win. It's the same here I suppose, but there is a chance to really do something in this event, and it will be interesting to see how King responds. This is his best run for quite a while now. On the other hand, Allen has found some consistency, and it's not a surprise to see him in the quarters. He fought brilliantly from 0-3 behind against Trump, kind of like his UK final comeback, the difference being that he completed it this time. He is obviously scoring well and is up for a fight. I think not having won a title yet will work in his favour here, because hunger can really make the difference in these events which no one really targets. It should be a good match, but I think Allen will have too much firepower for King in the end, maybe 5-3.

Shaun Murphy v. Mark Selby: Match of the round, no doubt. I suppose Murphy has to start favourite, considering he's already beaten Selby twice in 2012, and both times in pretty high-profile matches. I have a feeling he likes playing him and raises his game against him, perhaps because they get along quite well. Murphy is similar to Lee in terms of form, three good events in a row, with at least a semi-final appearance. Is it going to continue, or is it time for a slight decline? He's had two 5-3 victories here, against two solid players. Usually when Murphy plays well, he can win quite comfortably, so perhaps there won't be any fireworks from him this week. But then again, the longer he is in a tournament, the harder he is to stop. Selby doesn't seem completely settled either, he too has had two 5-3 wins, but one of those was against a Chinese wildcard, and it just seemed to be a bit of a scrap, without the usual fluency. Ok, he is good at that type of snooker, but it doesn't usually win tournaments, and it doesn't beat the likes of Murphy often either. I have a feeling he will be determined not to lose three in a row to Murphy in such a short time, but it will be difficult. A decider perhaps, with Murphy a slight favourite...

In any case, it should be a fun conclusion to the tournament.

It looks like it's another 3 out of 8 for you, Odrl.
But hands down, there were numerous upsets that were tough to foresee, so that's a good number

Higgins to win it all, is my prediction from now on.
Murphy will prove to be a challenge, anyway.

I can live with 3 out of 8, it was as low as 1 in the past.

Yeah, Milkins was certainly unpredictable, I didn't think both Ding and Maguire would go out in the 1st round in what seemed like the strongest quarter. Lee is not such a surprise I suppose, but I figured it was time for a bad tournament after two good ones from him. Allen not a surprise either. King is a bit of a shock, expected Williams to play much better than he did. As for Murphy, well, he was the seed, but I just had a feeling Walden would take him out.

I would agree that Higgins is the favourite at this point, although on form, I would put Allen alongside him. It's a difficult bottom half though, and there are some players I haven't seen at all yet, so tomorrow will be a better day to pick a winner.

[montoya10]

It's fun to read your analysis, as usual : )
Here are mine.

John Higgins v. Robert Milkins: I caught a couple of frames from both Higgins' and Milkins' matches and well, all I can say is Higgins is looking very much like 'Higgins'. Same goes for Milkins, as well. Judging by their game characteristics, it could be over before even Milkins put out a proper break of his own in this match. Higgins is usually known for his response when things matter and he knows that out of these remaining players, he will be the one fans would expect to win. He might have an off day, but still survive this one, in my opinion. Although I have a feeling this will be a quick one.

Graeme Dott v. Stephen Lee: Dott has gone out of radar for quite a while now. Good point that we don't have much to talk about his game especially with his lack of TV appearances of late. Lee has been very solid in the last two tournaments, and he made it three in a row with this one. I don't exactly know what was the last time he reached three quarter-finals in a row, but more importantly, he is playing again as if he could hand everyone a loss when he brings his best game to the table which is fantastic news for him. This may not be the breakfest Robertson and Lee enjoyed today, but still, I have to give the edge to Lee for a scrappy win.

Mark King v. Mark Allen: King's appearance is coming out of nowhere if you judge by his recent form. He should be pleased to go this far, considering he had to play against Williams, and then Ford, who has been a slightly more consistent player this season, in my opinion. Pressure won't be on his side, so, King could do some damage and things go out of order when he's playing, uhm, somehow (=
Allen, on the other hand, got a strong win under his belt, winning a fight against Trump. If King is to withstand such kind of form, he will have to take his chances. I have an odd feeling that he will be up for the task, and looking at the number of upsets already occurred, I will certainly not be surprised to see King coming out on top.

Shaun Murphy v. Mark Selby: This is the only quarter-final with two pre-tournament favourites clashing. Murphy has been making a case for a title for some time and he has been left empty-handed so far. He is my dark horse in this tournament, right behind John Higgins, given his strong string of results. Selby, on the other hand, continues to find ways to win matches without playing sublime snooker. Problem is, Murphy isn't the type of player you can get past with such play. Selby will have to keep Murphy away from table, or he will be in trouble in a tactical affair, I guess.

Looking forward to this (=

[rich45]

Anyone know what Mark King just said in the 3rd frame? It led to Neal Foulds apologising for the language used, and saying that he doesn't like to see professional matches like this one. I think both players are moaning about the table!

[Odrl]

Not sure what happens to Murphy from time to time, he is all over the place today. And it's not like Selby is putting him under great pressure, he really has no excuse.

[coomsey76]

World Open 2012

O'errrrrr I never saw that coming..... Selby beating Murphy 5-0!!

I didn't think Selby looked to be playing that well in the pervious round......

[Deepscrew]

Selby having to wear a glove!

Shocking conditions apparently.

[SnookerFan]

I only just noticed this thread. I wondered why there wasn't a sub-forum on it in the main season bit.

Not seen much of it. Just the highlights in the evening. Seen the highlights in the evening, but not seen much. Planning to get up on Saturday to watch Eurosport's live coverage though.

I won't talk too much about today's play at the moment, because I'm ignoring results in case I watch tonight. I will say though, I don't think much of the venue. There doesn't seem to be many fans there, and the squeaky floors are a distraction.

[gazza147]

Selby beating Murphy 5-0 the Conditions must be Bad as I didnt see that Coming either as Shaun is alot better player than that, I missed this Match but was Told it wasnt a very good match at all.

I have been trying to have a Bet on Higgins to Win this Tourny for the last few Days but no Bookies Locally have Odds for him Strange!

Gaz.

[montoya10]

Hoping for a more competitive afternoon session or whatever it is.

[montoya10]

Dott scored 32 in five visits. Trying to lose this one from the beginning.

[montoya10]

And table speed looks awful. Lee is struggling at patches, as well.