2014 World Championship - Discussion

[ywfan]

If ronnie plays like the last two frames an a half ronnie wont care who he will face
I dont buy the fact that fu is his bogey player and he would have no problems*with*murphy because he has beaten him more often than not. There is always a first time.
But i predict 13-7 ronnie.
My fear is that out of sympathy to the younger players like judd, neil, selby, barry, etc. he may donate this title lol

cant see him donating anything to selby!
even ding, whom he has a lot of affection for (hi proclaimed 'favorite'), would have got hammered if they met in SF

[daffie]

Still love Shaun's walk-on music...very funny

[Where's Willie?]

What a shame that the two best second round matches by a mile are scheduled at the same time. Especially when you think that last night we had Doherty-McManus and Dale-Wasley, two matches that not even I could bare to watch.

[daffie]

What a shame that the two best second round matches by a mile are scheduled at the same time.

Even more so because Eurosport has very little coverage today due to several other live sport events (always on Sundays). Very unfortunate indeed.

[Odrl]

The two best prospects of the entire round start this morning, so let's make a quick prediction. :smile:

Robertson vs Allen has become quite a rivalry in recent years. Robertson has won their last four major matches, including three in the Masters in the last three years. He probably played the best snooker out of anyone in the 1st round here, although he wasn't really tested. He has already made four centuries, so he only needs three more to reach 100, and that should be well within his reach, so that little distraction is probably not going to cost him at this point. He said that this was the best he has ever prepared for the World Championship. He scores at least as good if not better than anyone in the world, he plays some good tactical stuff, and he usually raises his game under pressure. Deadly combination really, so it might take someone really strong to beat him here...

Can Mark Allen do it? Well, his 1st round win wasn't as impressive, but he said he was suffering from food poisoning, so perhaps his better stuff is still to come. He can match Robertson in potting and scoring on his day, and he is a great battler and tough to get rid of over a couple of sessions. The best results of his career have come in the more "chaotic" atmosphere in China, but he seems like the kind of character who should play well at the Crucible as well. I have a feeling he will be a couple of frames short here though, Robertson to win 13-9. :smile:

Murphy vs Fu is the one I have been looking forward to for a while, the only match of this round to feature two of this season's major tournament winners. Murphy has a clear edge in their previous meetings, beating Fu in the UK final in 2008 and at the Crucible in 2009, a convincing 13-3 with a session to spare! He also beat Fu in the Masters this season, playing really well to come back from 4-1 down. He scraped through the 1st round 10-9 against Jamie Cope, but I think Cope played better than most people expected, so it was a good win in the end. Murphy has a good record in the World Championship over the years, and he clearly likes these best-of-25 matches over three sessions. I can see him getting outplayed, but I can't see him losing heavily.

Fu has a bit of a psychological disadvantage to overcome, but he has had a win over Murphy this season, 5-2 in the Australian Open. He has been very consistent all season, rarely showing the kind of weakness that could lose him matches with a session to spare. He has only really been thrashed one time, 5-0 against Hawkins in the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open. And when he's played well, he's played really well. He is probably a better scorer than Murphy these days, he doesn't have a major weakness in the other elements of his game, and he doesn't really crumble under pressure. His performance in the 1st round was second only to Robertson's, and he had a much tougher opponent. If he can play like that again, he is surely favourite. Fu to win 13-11.

Should be a good day. :smile:

[ywfan]

ding only had himself to blame in his defeat to Wasley, despite his valiant efforts in the last frame
just did not look right in that match, looked annoyed throughout

[daffie]

The two best prospects of the entire round start this morning, so let's make a quick prediction. :smile:
...

Should be a good day. :smile:

Cheers for the good write-up as usual Odrl...a good start of the morning session. Really looking forward to both matches!

[DeanH]

Thanks, jB has clarified. If you've got any more info please post up.

yep a JPU 1pc, maple with a rosewood butt.
not heard that story of the copy of an old cue JB, great

[brusque]

Smurf's game apart from his exceptional potting is so average .... and he has not learned over the years ... I suspect Fu if in form will cut through him like a knife through butter

[cyberheater]

Smurf's game apart from his exceptional potting is so average .... and he has not learned over the years ... I suspect Fu if in form will cut through him like a knife through butter

I think it's going to be fairly tight all the way through. They are just about even in my mind. Hard to predict a winner.

[brusque]

Ronnie must be praying Shaun wins or else he si gonna have a nightmare of a QF

[Odrl]

What a frame to lose for Murphy. Fu needed two snookers at one point... :smile:

[brusque]

I think it's going to be fairly tight all the way through. They are just about even in my mind. Hard to predict a winner.

Fu's superior tactical awareness + shot selection makes him a clear favorite any day over someone like Shaun .. Only thing is Fu's suspect break making .. when its off it is way way off otherwise he is world champion material

[svdyc]

Great steal by Marco. Needed 3 snookers, got them, but Murphy gets the green. Then Shaun pots both brown and white with one shot .

[Chappy5]

Allen getting very lucky.