2014 World Championship - Discussion

[Odrl]

Still not a great standard then, even after the second session. At 8-5 I was thinking this was probably the worst anyone has played to lead in the World final since Dott in 2006, but O'Sullivan made two lovely breaks right after that, so I'll leave him alone. :smile: It's probably fair to say this was the worst anyone has played in a long time to take seven frames off the better player though. :smile:

Selby was 12-4 down when he played Higgins in 2007, but got it back to 14-13 on the second day, so he is definitely not out of this yet. But if O'Sullivan starts the better of the two again... then time will really be running out. It's hard to see Selby not playing better tomorrow, but I think O'Sullivan will as well, and that should probably be enough...

[Billy]

I'd like to see Mark win tomorrow, for no other reason than because of the way people have written him off. But we have to be realistic here. Tomorrow, two things need to happen in order for Mark to lift that trophy; One, he has to play very VERY good snooker. And two, Ronnie has to help him by collapsing.

Can anyone really see both those things happening, because I can't?

[thelongbomber]

Ronnie's game is complete. He can win 30 minute grinding frames, has the long game and can score heavily. Mark has had so many chances in the frames he lost. Multiple times he ran out of position, or didn't open the balls early enough to score a frame winning break. I don't see that changing tomorrow. If Mark could sort that out in his game, Ronnie would raise his game and still win (just look at the 2 semifinals where he destroyed Henry). Saying that, if Mark continues to grind out frame by frame, it could frustrate Ronnie of old, but not the Ronnie we see now. I think Ronnie knew he would be grinding frames out before the match started and is prepared for it.

Like everyone else, I want the underdog to win, but truthfully Ronnie is the more complete player.

[alabadi]

i think Selby hasn't played at his best. so to be only 3 behind when at one stage he was 5 adrift is testament to his dogged determination and will to win.

he was outstanding against Robinson with something approaching 94% pot success and his safety was second to non. he hasn't found that form yet so considering he should be pleased.

if he can find some of that form from his semi he can win, he's been unlucky in some of the frames, getting bad contacts some canons going wrong and when Ronnie has missed he's found himself with nothing on or snookered.

saying all that i think Ronnie has played well and capitalised on Selby's errors, although he will be glad he's ahead he might feel a bit annoyed its no a bigger gap.

either way i hope it turns out to be a classic and hope that Selby can win his first Championship.

[Masterdoctorgenius]

To call the miss from ronnie as the turning point is laughable.

That black to go all square and selby missed was huge. 10-7 seems okay and about fair.

[dieselman147]

I would have thought 12-5 a fair scoreline.

[Jelavender]

Mark Selby is a great gentleman, but his playing style turns off all my interest in snooker everytime. I normally avoid watching his games but obviously have to when my favorite players play against him and I am tortured everytime. Seeing a world championships final with one of the finalists only managed a highest break like 37+ (62+), and the average frame time took 30 min+ when nothing memorable was produced is really a let down.

I wish Mark Selby's opponent good luck and be tough enough not to quit the game though I will possibly give up watching if the comming session goes like yestarday's.

[ronniex]

Selby really is the torturer and not in a good way. His winning frames and/or just being at the table are painful to watch, it's the anti-propaganda of snooker, the mostexctrutiating experience of all. I thought a few times Ronnie was on a brink of conceding the match or the session out of sheer boredom and just wanting to go to sleep, like the rest of us. This morning I feel steam-rollered just by watching it. Hopefully couple of more quick and genius frames will put Selby's misery to rest, good riddance to him.

[Masterdoctorgenius]

This match reminds me very much of the final in 2011. The attackig player plays way better than his defensive opponent but loses some frames he should have won and leads only with 10-7 overnights. And we know who won.

[richo]

Talk of all these turning points is nonsense. Selby missed a black off the spot for 4-4, with that it might just be 8-9.

[richo]

Also, Selby is 6.2 on betfair, which is over 5-1. Ronnie is odds on. Do bookies get it that wrong? If you think so have a bet.

[vmax4steve]

To be perfectly honest I've found the final very boring so far. Selby slipping back into gamesmanship mode and showing his inert fear of O'Sullivans possible brilliance which hasn't yet materialised in The Crucible this year.
Very scrappy snooker with three re-racks so far, frankly I have better things to do and it has to improve otherwise I will give up on it.
The sun is shining and the Vmax is shiny and black, the tarmac warm and sticky (and potholed though) erm uhm decisions, decisions.

[funkrider]

Some shocking posts in the last few pages. Yes Selby is not the most fluent player of all but that doesn't mean he is not good to watch. To me he is the best safety player out there along with the fact that he always has an eye for multiple balls combinations and the guts to go for them. I can't fault him for being good at winning patchy frames.

Robertson has his shortcomings but you just can't deny that his mental strength and stamina along with his break building ability are of the highest tier. You just can't.

The final is exciting because you get a potting machine having to face perhaps his most toughest opposition atm.

[daffie]

Some shocking posts in the last few pages. Yes Selby is not the most fluent player of all but that doesn't mean he is not good to watch. To me he is the best safety player out there along with the fact that he always has an eye for multiple balls combinations and the guts to go for them. I can't fault him for being good at winning patchy frames.

Robertson has his shortcomings but you just can't deny that his mental strength and stamina along with his break building ability are of the highest tier. You just can't.

The final is exciting because you get a potting machine having to face perhaps his most toughest opposition atm.

You and I are in complete agreement

Selby is fantastic to watch and very positive in his attitude indeed, going for a lot of (long) pots, pushing the boat out many times. Unfortunately he didn't have much run of the ball yesterday, it all pretty much went to Ros. Still Mr Selby kept at it, grinding away, playing his natural tactical game really, making it difficult for Ros to get in his full-flowing mode. That's not gamesmanship, it's good matchplay snooker.

So at 10-7 behind Mark has done exceptionally well considering. Not many players would have been able to limit the damage like that. Ros did play well in patches, but made many mistakes as well. He could have had a very extensive lead.

Looking forward to the upcoming session...everything depends on this 3rd session really.

[PatBlock]

Some shocking posts in the last few pages. Yes Selby is not the most fluent player of all but that doesn't mean he is not good to watch. To me he is the best safety player out there along with the fact that he always has an eye for multiple balls combinations and the guts to go for them. I can't fault him for being good at winning patchy frames.

Robertson has his shortcomings but you just can't deny that his mental strength and stamina along with his break building ability are of the highest tier. You just can't.

The final is exciting because you get a potting machine having to face perhaps his most toughest opposition atm.

Totally agree. Thing is though, you have to appreciate all aspects of the game to feel that excitement and some people on here have a very 1 dimensional view of snooker, which is sad because they're missing out on so much entertainment. But what really annoys me is when they imply that my enjoyment is somehow invalid because THEY don't get it. I don't care how good a player you are, how many tons you've made down at your local, how much coaching you do or have done, how long you've been watching etc etc etc, if there is an aspect of this perfect beautiful game which you do not like, than that's YOUR problem, not the game's or a particular player's, or the fans who do actually really love it, just YOURS.

FACT: Selby is also a snooker genius, whether you can see it or not.

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