China Open 2014 - Discussion

[cyberheater]

I say hold the qualifying (or better still the whole event in one go) in China itself. Players would make up their minds a lot quicker whether to play or not!

I agree. Although I don't like the fact that Barry is set on getting as many tournaments put on in China as possible. I can understand it's a growth location for the sport but I feel it disadvantages the european players.

[cyberheater]

Anthony Hamilton always looks like he's stolen his dead granddads suit.

[JIMO96]

I agree. Although I don't like the fact that Barry is set on getting as many tournaments put on in China as possible. I can understand it's a growth location for the sport but I feel it disadvantages the european players.

Agreed. I can understand each event wanting to retain it's own identity, and that that is why there's no 'Asian swing', but 5 trips a year is too many in my eyes. Not even in golf or tennis (multi million pound sponsored global sports) do they expect their players to uproot themselves for a 15hr flight 5 times a year. Back to back Chinese events would reduce the amount of flights and this is surely a better way to go.

[luke-h]

If Barry Hearne isn't careful he will alienate quite a few players and its not out of the realms of possibility that some of the top players branch out and make a new snooker federation

[jw147]

Its nice to turn the Snooker on and see Jimmy winning

I hear ya, its made my week seeing jimmy cueing so well this morning, has a chance too against burden, lot of pressure on that match against morris, james looks good you can see hes been practicing, hopefully can get past alfie and you never know what can happen then, bring on selby in last 16! Go on jimmy!

[JIMO96]

If Barry Hearne isn't careful he will alienate quite a few players and its not out of the realms of possibility that some of the top players branch out and make a new snooker federation

Separate tours. One in China, and one in the UK. One will have regular first prizes of £85K+, the other will have saturated sponsorship from....the bookies.

I don't envy Barry, he's got quite a balancing act maintaining players' interests in 2 continents with a limited queue of sponsors. I hope he holds it all together until the day comes when proper sponsors get involved, preferably within continental Europe. At that point, he will be in a stronger position to negotiate with Chinese organisers and make better scheduling decisions. Meantime, he's vulnerable to criticisms from all angles at what is perceived as poor organisation.

[cyberheater]

Separate tours. One in China, and one in the UK. One will have regular first prizes of £85K+, the other will have saturated sponsorship from....the bookies.

I don't envy Barry, he's got quite a balancing act maintaining players' interests in 2 continents with a limited queue of sponsors. I hope he holds it all together until the day comes when proper sponsors get involved, preferably within continental Europe. At that point, he will be in a stronger position to negotiate with Chinese organisers and make better scheduling decisions. Meantime, he's vulnerable to criticisms from all angles at what is perceived as poor organisation.

On the other hand. Barry has been a breath of fresh air for the game. I feels like it's making a comeback.

I wonder if Robertson is still not feeling well. He looks more pale then he normally does.

[jb134]

Agreed. I can understand each event wanting to retain it's own identity, and that that is why there's no 'Asian swing', but 5 trips a year is too many in my eyes. Not even in golf or tennis (multi million pound sponsored global sports) do they expect their players to uproot themselves for a 15hr flight 5 times a year. Back to back Chinese events would reduce the amount of flights and this is surely a better way to go.

Couldn't agree less. All you ever hear is "there's hardly been any overseas world champions" guess what? UK players have had the advantage for 100 years. The money and interest isn't here any more and business has to follow the money so any UK youngster out there, you have to be unbelievable, good isn't enough, you have to have a sponsor or heaven forfend, a job, and you have to go.

Ta ta.

[SouthPaw]

The better player lost in that match Hamilton deserved the victory but Neil's "c" game was enough...

Edit: Just to add Neil looks burnt out... all those century breaks must have took a lot out of him!

[DeanH]

The better player lost in that match Hamilton deserved the victory but Neil's "c" game was enough...

Edit: Just to add Neil looks burnt out... all those century breaks must have took a lot out of him!

NR looked like he was going to throw up.
Not seen Hamilton play so well in a long time, good to see.

[Odrl]

Edit: Just to add Neil looks burnt out... all those century breaks must have took a lot out of him!

Yeah, he looked like he needed to lie down after the match, clearly not feeling well. I wonder if he will come around for the 2nd round. He could have a tricky one against Williams...

Pretty good performance from Hamilton towards the end, but he left it late and ultimately paid the price for the couple of frames he let slip. Great pot on that red in the decider though, unlucky to get the kick on the green at such a crucial time.

[cyberheater]

I think Neil wasn't feeling well in the last tournament. I guess we are seeing the residual effect.

[JIMO96]

Couldn't agree less. All you ever hear is "there's hardly been any overseas world champions" guess what? UK players have had the advantage for 100 years. The money and interest isn't here any more and business has to follow the money so any UK youngster out there, you have to be unbelievable, good isn't enough, you have to have a sponsor or heaven forfend, a job, and you have to go.

Ta ta.

I feel I have to come back at you. I'm totally behind you regarding the whole "Britishness" of our sport, it's time the Brits were forced to face up to how pampered they've been, and that maybe to enjoy success at snooker, they HAVE to embrace the travelling and throw a bit of cash behind themselves in order to prosper long term.

I was speaking from the perspective that there will eventually be a proper "tour" for snooker players to join. You know, a "tour", in which the circuit moves from nation to nation, taking in every country within the snooker family, in a sustainable and structured fashion. In tennis, the season starts with a bunch of Australian tournaments, followed by trips to Doha, Chennai and other Asian cities. It's currently in the Americas, an will embark on a European leg throughout the summer, taking in (amongst others) Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Now that's a "tour", you can disagree with that all you like, it's still not a situation where players need to travel 12,000 miles in one stretch, 5 times a season.

I like Barry Hearn, everything he changes in snooker is for the good, and like I say, I hope he retains his enthusiasm and is not the victim of some kind of player revolt. I think if one decent, non-bookie sponsor comes in and creates a massive tournament in continental Europe, then it will be the first step to creating a proper tour. At the moment, it seems, to me anyway, extreme to expect players to travel to China 5 times.

[jb134]

I hope there's a proper tour, I hope there are European, AustrailAsian, World etc etc tours. It all requires sponsors and money etc etc. I'd love that to be the case. For the moment things are as they are and any Brits who are not established are going to need money to get established.

[SouthPaw]

Dean/Cyber: Did he or anyone else mention what was wrong with him the last time... some sort of virus?

It would have definitely been better to see whether Hamilton could reply without that kick, but your right he did have his chances beforehand.

Should be an interesting second round match with Williams...