2014 World Championship - Discussion

[wake_up_bomb]

I think your point is true to an extent. If they were just playing that way against Ronnie then that's fair enough, but Robertson was playing like that against Trump and I don't think many people would claim Trump was a better player. When I think back to how Robertson was playing when he won his World Title he was much more positive.

I'm not sure that's a fair criticism because he came from behind to beat Trump, and he's made 101 centuries this season. Honestly, I really don't have much sympathy for people who are put off by slow play unless it's ridiculously slow because a few seconds extra per shot here and there shouldn't make any difference to you. If it does then it's just a sign of mental weakness.

It's this fear that is always their ultimate undoing, Ronnie has lost his fear, that's the difference between him and the rest. Murphy was playing great until he met Ronnie, then it all went pear shaped and he found his excuse to lose when he got a couple of kicks and started to play expecting them. Ronnie gets a kick and just plays on, Ronnie goes in off and just plays on, Ronnie gets a fluke against him and just plays on and then when all these things reverse and go for him rather than against him he is in the right frame of mind to also simply play on.

I would agree with a lot of what you've said, and there's no doubt that working with Peters has had a massively positive impact on him. It certainly looked as if Murphy has laid down and died when he played Ronnie, but remember he knows that Ronnie has beaten him virtually every time and is much better than him. Ronnie always has the advantage of knowing that if he plays his game he will win. I don't think there is any player that he has a losing head-to-head record against. Others are less certain of their ability to outplay anyone. We saw with Hendry that once the wheels came off for him, he barely won a title ever again. It was impossible for him to get his confidence back. You might think that there is no reason for Robertson to lack confidence, but this is an incredibly fragile component of any sportsman. He clearly wasn't playing his best against Trump and did what was required to win.

[wemba]

What's Barry's highest break in this match?

[zombieman]

What's Barry's highest break in this match?

He made a 96 in frame two.

[montoya10]

What's Barry's highest break in this match?

96, wasn't it?

Edit: Got beaten to it!

[peterpackage]

I so wish this Ding v Ronnie

Oh well

[rich45]

Was there any need for Virgo to joke about not being able to see the scoreboard this early in the morning? He deliberately said it for laughs from the crowd, despite it being frame ball for Ronnie. Ridiculous.

[Odrl]

Good stuff from O'Sullivan. I think there is more chance of this match finishing with a session to spare now than Hawkins coming back and making it closer. But you never know...

[scottley]

Premiership against the Championship i'm afraid, and that goes for whoever he plays in the final, and we have'nt even seen his best yet!

[stephenm2682]

ROS slowly getting up for this, and nice to see Steve Peters there!

[vilkrang]

Premiership against the Championship i'm afraid, and that goes for whoever he plays in the final, and we have'nt even seen his best yet!

Nah, the final won't be like this. Both Selby and Robertson have the game to beat him and the belief, something which couldn't be said for Murphy in the last round and the same for Barry in this match.

Ronnie has had a pretty decent draw to be fair, if I had to put my house on it then obviously I'd still have him as favourite seeing as he has never lost a crucible final but it will be his toughest final since 2001 assuming he gets there.

[scottley]

I'd love to see Selby beat him in the final but i can't see him or Robbo getting into double figures in the final, the difference in class is huge in my opinion.

[vilkrang]

I'd love to see Selby beat him in the final but i can't see him or Robbo getting into double figures in the final, the difference in class is huge in my opinion.

Barry has been gifting him chances every frame. The safety in the other semi is of a very high standard and neither of those players will be missing regulation pots the way Barry has been. Yes, Ronnie is taking most of the chances but he won't get as many against Selby or Robertson. I really think it will be a close final and it wouldn't massively surprise me if Ronnie lost.

[gwltabb]

Nah, the final won't be like this. Both Selby and Robertson have the game to beat him and the belief, something which couldn't be said for Murphy in the last round and the same for Barry in this match.

Ronnie has had a pretty decent draw to be fair, if I had to put my house on it then obviously I'd still have him as favourite seeing as he has never lost a crucible final but it will be his toughest final since 2001 assuming he gets there.

People wre saying this before the Murphy match, and before this match as well - 'x won't give him the same chances as x'. Selby was destroyed in the Mastets final, why would you think it will be any different now? He's in a different league to everyone else, whether it be in terms of snooker or because he has them beat before the match starts. Doesn't make sense to keep saying this.

[rich45]

I would fancy Robertson as having a better chance than Selby, simply because he has won it before. If Selby were to beat Ronnie for his first World Title, then he would surely deserve the trophy. That said, i hope Ronnie hammers whoever he plays in the final.

[statto]

Barry has now lost 17 of the last 21 frames he's played.

Ronnie has won 27 of the last 32 frames he's played.