China Open 2014 - Discussion

[ongkia]

A good win for Ding..............................!! World Championship is another cookie altogether though but hope he can do well there.

[Hal]

Congratulations to Ding, pretty solid performance .... A bit sad, Neil was not as good as he usually is, could have been closer

btw. I noticed Neil has missed many pots to left middle pocket, always overcutting it

[CueInAction]

Ding has been absolutely dominant this season, it's been a long time since we had a single player take charge like he has. The most surprising stat is that after 5 ranking titles and 6 finals he has not reached #1 yet. Its highly likely that he will pull away as number 1 early on next season as his points to defend are minimal early season due to many first and second round exits last season

[Valiullin]

Let's not forget that this win means that Ding takes Selby's spot at world number two. He has already won more than 50,000 points and although a prize money list will replace the current ranking system next season it looks certain that Ding is the next number one, since his 2012-2013 was quite modest with only four QF or better runs in Ranking events. And his reign might last more than a year with such a formidable season to rely on.

Edit : Took me more than eight minutes to post this, why do I have to struggle so much XD CueInAction just pwnd me.

[robertmac]

Ding jumped out early and took command and kept his calm
to win as he has done so often this season. Robertson did
well to get some frames but looked to tired to put up much
of a fight.
The next tournament should have some great matchups.

[cyberheater]

I think if Robbo had been in full health then things would have been a lot tighter.

[Rane]

What a great achievement from Ding. Repeating Hendrys 5 ranking titles in a year has often been called impossible in here.

[SouthPaw]

I'm starting to think Neil is allergic to the baize, every time i watch him play he's coughing his lungs out!

Ding is definitely a strong contender for the world along with Murphy imo, just have a feeling Ronnie won't be able to make it three in a row...

[robertmac]

O'Sullivan, Ding, Robertson, Murphy will be interesting to watch
for sure as they all have the ability to win it all. I am looking
forward to it and being in the UK its only a 5 hour time difference
and not 12 like it was in China.

[gettingbetter]

None of Ding's ranking tournament wins this season have been in the UK...

[Looki]

None of Ding's ranking tournament wins this season have been in the UK...

Yeah, what's your point?

[Dr_Doctor]

Well done Ding. It's amazing how he could travel around the world and win that many ranking tournaments.

[daffie]

What a great achievement from Ding. Repeating Hendrys 5 ranking titles in a year has often been called impossible in here.

Indeed it is. On the one hand I'm inclined to feel with far less tournaments back in the day, Hendry's 5 tournament wins in 1 season could be the bigger achievement. But on the other hand, the game has changed so much and we now have so many good players on the day. Also with far more tournaments it means far more travelling for players during the year. Maybe Ding's achievement is bigger than Hendry's? Then again, with so many tournaments a year, you can pick the ones you want to enter.

Anywho...don't really matter...both major achievements in their day.

[Odrl]

Indeed it is. On the one hand I'm inclined to feel with far less tournaments back in the day, Hendry's 5 tournament wins in 1 season could be the bigger achievement. But on the other hand, the game has changed so much and we now have so many good players on the day. Also with far more tournaments it means far more travelling for players during the year. Maybe Ding's achievement is bigger than Hendry's? Then again, with so many tournaments a year, you can pick the ones you want to enter.

Anywho...don't really matter...both major achievements in their day.

In terms of dominating the season, Hendry's achievement is more impressive. He won 5 out of 8 ranking events, none of them short format like India. He also won the Masters and the Scottish Masters that season, as well as the Matchroom League, which was the predecessor to the Premier League.

But of course he didn't win the World Championship. Ding still has the chance to finish on an incredibly high note... :smile:

[gettingbetter]

Yeah, what's your point?

He hasn't performed well in the UK. The World Championship is the UK.