2014 World Championship - Discussion

[Odrl]

robertson, well what better than to square off in the world final as the number one seed vs the world number one

Interestingly, the top two seeds have only met in the final once before, in 1987 when Joe Johnson was defending champion and met Steve Davis in the final. So this would be only the second time ever...

[Dr_Doctor]

If the only significant record Hendry has left intact when Ronnie retires is "most ranking titles won" or even more likely "Most n on-ranking titles won" is that enough to keep him in place as the best ever? If not, I think it's entirely possible Ronnie will be crowned the greatest ever.

If the player is in the conversation, then that's the best they could achieve. I think Hendry said something like that. Now because I said that, I'd like to say that I once thought Mark Williams was going to be the next Davis/Hendry. I still think his best could equal Ronnie.

[gwltabb]

My thinking is that Ronnie has already beaten some of Hendry's records. If Ronnie manages to win the same number of World titles as Hendry did, then for me, it's enough to say he is the greatest since he has already beaten Hendry in other departments.

Fair point :-)

[Table_of_Reds]

I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see the remaining semi being the epic everyone is expecting. I expect Selby to run out a comfortable winner. He seems to have had the measure of Robertson all match, stepping it up every time he gets near him.

[gavpowell]

What's the point in having a discussion with someone who thinks world titles is the only benchmark to be judged against. Reardon better than Ronnie and Higgins then?

If the only significant record Hendry has left intact when Ronnie retires is "most ranking titles won" or even more likely "Most n on-ranking titles won" is that enough to keep him in place as the best ever? If not, I think it's entirely possible Ronnie will be crowned the greatest ever.

[Dr_Doctor]

What's the point in having a discussion with someone who thinks world titles is the only benchmark to be judged against. Reardon better than Ronnie and Higgins then?

My thinking is that Ronnie has already beaten some of Hendry's records. If Ronnie manages to win the same number of World titles as Hendry did, then for me, it's enough to say he is the greatest since he has already beaten Hendry in other departments.

[ywfan]

job done, right now for the big one.
hope the one day rest wont put ROS out of rhythm, and gets jumped on early.

not sure which ROS will prefer, i think selby he will relish smashing him up to get him for their past history
robertson, well what better than to square off in the world final as the number one seed vs the world number one

[gwltabb]

If Ronnie equals Hendry's 7 World titles, I'd be willing to call him the greatest player ever.

What's the point in having a discussion with someone who thinks world titles is the only benchmark to be judged against. Reardon better than Ronnie and Higgins then?

[Odrl]

2 matches in a row with a session to spare .... DAMN!! Can he make the triple?

No chance in hell. :smile:

But he certainly played well tonight, and must be the favourite for the final, whomever he faces. He has truly played himself into the tournament now, after a somewhat suspect start. I think his top form is not far away if he needs it, and I fully expect him to respond if he is put under pressure. He can enjoy a nice day off on Saturday, while we enjoy a tremendous battle between Robertson and Selby, hopefully. :smile:

[Dr_Doctor]

Don't know if I'd be so confident about Hendry's credentials as the best any more:

In his career, Ronnie has won a bigger percentage of frames than Hendry.
In his career, Ronnie has won a bigger percentage of matches than Hendry.
Ronnie has a positive record against Hendry in both matches and frames.
Ronnie has the record for number of 147s.
Ronnie compiles century breaks at a faster rate than Hendry.

Now for the future:

Most likely, some time next season Ronnie will surpass Stephen's century count.
It's entirely possible that Ronnie will equal or surpass Stephen's 7 World Titles, at a time when the playing standard is higher.
It's possible (though not probable) that Ronnie will equal Stephen's ranking title count.

If Ronnie equals Hendry's 7 World titles, I'd be willing to call him the greatest player ever.

[daffie]

Well that was no fun. Well done to ROS of course, but a disappointing battle and no final session.

Looking forward to the conclusion of the high intensity match between Selby and Robbo...

[statto]

Hendry is the best ever. He had the right frame of mind and won the most ranking titles. Ronnie may be more talented but he didn't have the mental strength to win more. At least he could make up for his past failures now before his form dips again.

Don't know if I'd be so confident about Hendry's credentials as the best any more:

In his career, Ronnie has won a bigger percentage of frames than Hendry.
In his career, Ronnie has won a bigger percentage of matches than Hendry.
Ronnie has a positive record against Hendry in both matches and frames.
Ronnie has the record for number of 147s.
Ronnie compiles century breaks at a faster rate than Hendry.

Now for the future:

Most likely, some time next season Ronnie will surpass Stephen's century count.
It's entirely possible that Ronnie will equal or surpass Stephen's 7 World Titles, at a time when the playing standard is higher.
It's possible (though not probable) that Ronnie will equal Stephen's ranking title count.

[Dr_Doctor]

Ronnie has won the championship. I can't see either Neil or Selby having the energy left for Ronnie.

[Rail]

2 matches in a row with a session to spare .... DAMN!! Can he make the triple?

[DeanH]

question: do the people with tickets for tomorrow's session get a refund if there is no play?

There will probably be a match between the BBC commentary team :P

After ROS won the Welsh supposedly Dom Dale and I think Morgan played some frames but we left for the restaurant

that is it ladies and gents