The Masters Jan 11 - 18, 2015

[PatBlock]

Very poor show from Ding, but hats off to Joe.
So much for the decider and re-spotted black. Still, there's always tomorrow. C'mon Marco!

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[GeordieDS]

Is Ding a bottler?

[robertmac]

Well 2 of my fave players are now out... Trump and Ding
but hopefully my other fave player Robertson can make
it thru and win this but he hasnt been playing near his
best.
Trump simply didnt stay focused and wasnt playing his
best and Ding isnt the same player as he was last season
and I agree its probably because he isnt playing enough.
Some interesting matches to go tho but generally the
level of play hasnt been top notch in my opinion.

[PatBlock]

Is Ding a bottler?

Not sure about that, I think people tend to bottle it because they care so much, maybe too much. But I sometimes wonder if Ding actually cares enough?

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[GeordieDS]

Not sure about that, I think people tend to bottle it because they care so much, maybe too much. But I sometimes wonder if Ding actually cares enough?

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I only ask because he never seems to do well at the major tournament's with a few exceptions and he's dreadful at the Crucible.

He was going mad was he not in the practice room at a recent tournament and he certainly wouldn't be behaving like that if he didn't care, that's more likely with frustration because it's not happening for him and he has a ridiculous amount of ability

[PatBlock]

I only ask because he never seems to do well at the major tournament's with a few exceptions and he's dreadful at the Crucible.

He was going mad was he not in the practice room at a recent tournament and he certainly wouldn't be behaving like that if he didn't care, that's more likely with frustration because it's not happening for him and he has a ridiculous amount of ability

Don't know too much about that incident or what provoked it. It just seems to me that he folds rather than bottles, if you see what I mean. Shame though, because as you say, his talent is phenomenal.

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[bingo]

Afternoon lads (though its near midnight for me), how are we feeling about Marco Fu tonight?

[cueman]

My view for what its worth is that Ding is paying the price for over practicing and playing from an extremely young age. I think he is showing signs of burnout and I also feel technically he has developed the yips as I notice recently in matches he struggles with certain shots and accelerating through the cue ball.

It could explain why recently he has been, or at least his agent, in touch with various cue makers looking for a new cue. I think he is looking for something or rather looking for an excuse as to why his form has dropped off by such a massive level since the early exit at the crucible.

[P.Smith]

Well I for one really hope Ding gets his act together in the triple crown events, it would be a huge shame if a player with such tremendous ability were to never become world champion, would also be great to have the 1st Chinese world champion.

As for today, I think there is a good chance of an upset in at least one match. Fu is usually a tough player for Ronnie and Carter seems to be rather inspired at the moment. I think Ronnie will come through 6-3 but I will go out on a limb and say Carter beats Robbo 6-4.

[cueman]

If we are going on form from the previous round then Fu and Carter should be favourites but as we know form from Robbo and O'Sullivan can go from average to superb in a short space of time.

I think Fu has such a good record against Ronnie and should be full of confidence I actually expect Fu to come through this match. Unless Ronnie is in the form he showed in the CoC event I can't see him winning today.

Carter I think is the dark horse for this event, playing with a new lease of life, he looked superb against Hawkins and Robertson has never really done well in the Masters. I think both matches will finish 6-4.

[bingo]

Am hoping Fu will win tonight. Placed a wee bet on him to get more than 0.5 centuries.

[daffie]

I'm all behind Marco to trump ROS today. Should be a great match in any case. Bring it on!

[bingo]

Ah if Marco could have potted that red, would have been a cracker start.

[cueman]

can I change my mind!!! Terrific start and to break Hendry's record and get that monkey off his back will relax Ronnie. Robertson you could see was affected by chasing the century record last season but Ronnie just treated it like any other frame. Marco could be frozen out like Walden last year going by this start.

[cyberheater]

Well done Ronnie.

Without doubt the greatest snooker player to ever pick up a cue.