Shanghai Masters 2013 - Discussion

[Odrl]

Surprisingly high quality in the last couple of frames. Holt opened with a century after the interval, followed by another good break to level the score, and now Xiao has replied with a century of his own to take the lead again. It's a lot less nervy than I expected. Still a long way to go though... :wink:

[Odrl]

What can you say? Superb stuff from Xiao, another century in the last frame after he had Holt in all sorts of trouble on a couple of occasions, laying good snookers rather than going for tricky pots. He always knew he would be second favourite for the final, whoever wins the other semi, but if he plays like this again he certainly won't be a spectator.

A really good match, shame on you for not watching it. :wink:

[daffie]

Indeed fantastic stuff from Xiao...going all the way from qualifying to the Final tomorrow. Great job! I really like watching him play as well...he has a nice style around the table.

I've also been very very impressed by Michael Holt this week...he looks a different person/player around the table. Lots of confidence and great focus throughout. Very good safety play and tactics. Well done to him.

Regarding the 2nd Semi this afternoon. As much as I like Barry Hawkins, I'd favor having an all Chinese Final between Ding and Xiao....that would make for something special tomorrow I feel. The audience might just go beserk

[PatBlock]

Yes, that was indeed a great performance from Xiao. As you say daffie, it would have been nice to see Michael reach the final, but there's no doubt who deserved the win.

I've not been able to see as much of this tournament as I'd have liked (and I'm probably going to miss a fair bit of the final as well ), but whenever I did catch a match, it seemed usually to involve Xiao, which turned out to be no bad thing. :smile: What a week he's had. I wonder if this will turn out to be a breakthrough tournament for him, or just a run of very good form, because I'd love to see more of the same please Xiao. :encouragement:

I'd also probably favour Ding in the SF, but it should be close. And yes, it would be a cracking atmosphere for the final if it were Ding v Xiao wouldn't it.

A really good match, shame on you for not watching it. :wink:

Hopefully there were lots of watchers, just not many posters. :smile:

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[coomsey76]

Sounds like I've missed some good snooker this week.....(been away on holiday!!)

I'm looking forward to seeing some semi-final action this afternoon!!

[PatBlock]

Did I hear the ref call f&m when Ding hit that red there? Sounded like it to me...

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[PatBlock]

A long and quite tense first frame, with Ding eventually taking it. If the rest of the match goes this way you'll be getting your post-midnight finish Odrl. I expect the pace to pick up a little though...

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[daffie]

Did I hear the ref call f&m when Ding hit that red there? Sounded like it to me...

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Did sound a bit like it indeed

(btw I'm lagging behind...as usual)

[PatBlock]

Did sound a bit like it indeed

(btw I'm lagging behind...as usual)

Yeah I thought so. I like the way the players just seemed to carry on regardless and pretend they didn't here a thing.

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[Odrl]

Yeah I thought so. I like the way the players just seemed to carry on regardless and pretend they didn't here a thing.

That was a weird one... Neither player contested the call, and Hawkins didn't have it put back, so she probably didn't call the miss, which is kind of unusual in that situation. Maybe Ding fouled one of the baulk colours? Would be interesting to see it again.

As for the midnight finish, well, they took their time with the first four frames, so there is half a chance they reach midnight local time. :smile: But not if Ding runs away with it after the interval...

[coomsey76]

I bet Barry will be a bit disappointed at not going into the interval level at 2 a piece.....

[PatBlock]

Some nice snookers/attempts at from Barry in that 5th frame, but to no avail. He really needs this 6th frame now...

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[Odrl]

Quite comfortable for Ding in the end, although it was a struggle all the way. He seems quite slow this week, taking his time in the balls... He didn't score too well today, but at least he wasn't missing and leaving Hawkins chances.

Could be a close match tomorrow.

[PatBlock]

That sloppy positional shot off the yellow must have given Ding a bit of fright.
I was hoping for a few more frames after Barry took the 6th, and it was a great tactical battle they had in that last frame, but Ding was cool enough to work for his chance and finish it.
Very enjoyable match for me.

Bring on the all Chinese finale!.

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[daffie]

Yes I enjoyed the 2nd Semi as well...good tactical stuff there. Shame it couldn't continue a bit longer though.

Onwards to the all Chinese Final!