Champion of Champions Snooker

[j6uk]

x2. Really like the fresh camera work catching insightful angles, over the shoulder down the cush.

mcmanus is one of the best commentators ever - really insightful views on the table situation, shot options etc. doesn't speak unless he has something useful to say, focuses on commentating about the gameplay rather than the players (or talking about himself like willie thorne)

the setup is excellent - full credit to ITV. the only thing i would criticize is the format of having only to play 4 matches to win the tournament

[wake_up_bomb]

With regard to the post-match comments, I have to concur with the essence of what they're saying. I think Hearn has been absolutely correct in his attempts to create new markets for the game, but you need to have big matches between the biggest players as often as possible. It's all very well and good having a level playing field, but tennis, a much, much bigger sport than snooker, has actually extended its seedings to 32. Quite simple reason for this, they want the big semis and finals to be Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, Murray, Del Potro and maybe at a push Berdych, Ferrer and some of the other top ten. They don't want number 35 in the world in one semi and number 47 in the other because they'll get walloped, and casual fans don't know who they are.

If anything, I would like to see the importance of seeding in snooker increased, but for them to switch to a one-year ranking system, so if you have a red-hot streak you can climb the rankings quickly. And, as suggested, try to introduce some big non-ranking, invitational tournaments for the top players. Casual snooker fans are most likely to watch a final if O' Sullivan is in it, just like casual tennis fans are most likely to watch Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray. That doesn't mean you fix it so that they get there, but you have to recognise this basic commercial reality.

[stephenm2682]

Wake up bomb for job of world snooker chairman!!

[Billy]

Wake up bomb for job of world snooker chairman!!

All those in favour say Aye.

Aye!

[wake_up_bomb]

Thanks, that's very kind, I think lots of other people would make the same observation, though. It's just particularly obvious to me because I watch a lot of tennis, and it really stands out when O' Sullivan and Robertson in the post-match interview are saying they haven't played a big match against each other for ages. Imagine if Nadal and Djokovic were doing a post-match interview and saying the same thing! It can't happen, it isn't allowed to happen, they play each other all the time, that's how you build up rivalries in the public mind.

[stephenm2682]

And how you improve performances, you can't raise the level of the game playing qualifiers & amateurs, but I suppose even in the ptc events you 99% find the best players in the last stages, but on tv no

[the montrealer]

Ronnie played great against Robertson it seems in the last two years Ronnie is more confident and in the past he would throw in the Towel.

Hope he wins tomorrow as he is my favourite player

[cuemaxx]

Don't forget Ronnie was out for a year so he missed the opportunity to play a lot of the big matches, UK, Masters and so on..

[coomsey76]

He definitely shows his passion for the game, it's good stuff. Never been a fan of Willie, so negative and critical it detracts from the game. Give me Mcmanus, Foulds and Everton any day

Totally agree bud, Everton is the icing on the cake for me..... Itv have a class commentary team!!

[Holden Chinaski]

I agree, the commentary and also the camera work have been fantastic. The whole concept of this tournament is just what snooker needed. The after match interviews are a brilliant idea. This is how snooker should be televised, with respect!

[irishsnooker]

well said..............

I agree, the commentary and also the camera work have been fantastic. The whole concept of this tournament is just what snooker needed. The after match interviews are a brilliant idea. This is how snooker should be televised, with respect!

[Valiullin]

Couldn't see the end of the game, wifi let me down at 4-3. Disappointed to see Neil lost it, this could have been the final and it's a pity that the 3 best players of the moment (Ding, Robbo and O'Sullivan) were put in the same half of the draw. I like Bingham's style but I doubt he can stay the distance against Ronnie in a best-of-19 match. I'll catch the final frames if I can but not the first session, seems to one-sided to me.

[CueAntW147]

Some great comments on this thread, for me its been a great venue, great tournament & format, the top players, great TV work including the camera angles, the interviews with players have been good too winner & loser chatting together in a less formal way so speaking freely which is better.

Add the great commentary team including Clive Everton, nobody better than him for adding interesting facts and knowing that perfect balance of just saying enough as and when its needed, others would do well too take note of this, its how it should be done.

The whole thing has retained the best bits of snooker old including the dress code, with a modern twist at a great venue and its all worked seamlessly which is good for the players, good for the fans and good for snooker.

[Holden Chinaski]

Ronnie vs Robertson was one of the best matches I've seen in a long time. Snooker doesn't get much better than that. Age doesn't seem to affect Ronnie's game much. Ok, his long potting used to be better but thats about it. He's a better safety player now and he's still the best break builder. He's mentally much stronger now than in his younger days.

[luke-h]

Couldn't see the end of the game, wifi let me down at 4-3. Disappointed to see Neil lost it, this could have been the final and it's a pity that the 3 best players of the moment (Ding, Robbo and O'Sullivan) were put in the same half of the draw. I like Bingham's style but I doubt he can stay the distance against Ronnie in a best-of-19 match. I'll catch the final frames if I can but not the first session, seems to one-sided to me.

He may not of been in their half of the draw but he still knocked out one of the best in form players, so he's no easy prospect for o'sullivan.