The Masters 2016 10-17 January

[shmeeko69]

I thought Ronnie was at about 75% today. He'll need a bit more to put away Bingo/Higgins and a lot more to compete with the winner of Robbo/Judd, probably Robbo. He's got a back injury and I'm not sure if it's affecting his mind, as his concentration wasn't there sometimes today. He blobbed two frame clinching balls early doors. Ok, the clearance was nice but he was losing the white a bit which is un-Ronnie like. His interview and assessment of his own form afterwards was accurate and honest. Selby was simply pants and seems to be going through a period of not doing well and winning tournaments but entering enough to remain top ranked. lol

As for the fans being fickle, we are talking about watching the greatest ever in a comeback tournament; a lot of fans have been looking fwd to this and a match with Selby had extra flavour. If Higgins beats Bingo, we could have another Class of 92 clash on our hands; juicy.

I would say he was a bit more than 75%, but you're right he'll need a bit more if he meets an in-form Higgins and possibly Robertson in the final.

[armstm]

I also think he was better than 75%. That last clearance is one of the best of his. Not technically but because of the situation and the history with selby. Superb.

[jwinsor]

Not as a person but as a players I can't stand Selby, for a world champion his cue ball control is quite suspect, he must have to play the most recovery shots of any of the very top players.

have to agree, ham-fisted is the word I kept thinking while watching Selby play O'Sullivan

[OmaMiesta]

Considering how well Selby was playing in the previous match compared to Ronnie, a very shocking result but thats what playing Ronnie can do to you. You never expect to play the same against him as other players. Very happy he got through but hes gonna need even more to beat Robertson or Trump.

[Odrl]

I've just finished watching the match, a fairly entertaining afternoon that was. Although I did expect it to be a little closer. :smile:

There were no real fireworks, in a large part due to both players breaking down close to frame ball on a couple of occasions, but O'Sullivan's long-potting was superb today. Everything seemed to be going in the middle of the pockets, and he must have got about 11 out of 14, or something like that. He is perhaps not scoring as well as he is capable of, but he is still reliable enough in the balls to be extremely dangerous when he is getting in from distance, like he was today. Should be a good match in the semi-finals, whoever he plays. :smile:

[OmaMiesta]

Every shot is a kick to some degree. A moving object hits a stationary ball and the the second ball absorbs the force and then begins to vibrate and eventually move because it's carrying too much energy that wishes to go somewhere in one direction. I wish they wouldn't say kick, it's a bad contact they're really referring to, chalk on the ball at the contact point. Sometimes static on the ball. I can clean both balls and smash a stun so hard, the white will jump up, that's a big kick, it's not a bad contact. Thorburn began noticing that the white naturally jumps up on many shots.

* Ronnie called him a grinder and the Man Made of Metal. I know Selby has talent but he doesn't half make a meal out of it. I guess those fans who like fluent simply won't like his game however good it is. I am in that camp. He's very good and boring. Just like Davis was, adored by grannies. Most of the snooker players loved Jimmy At least Selby has a bit of personality I guess.

Thats true but I think the kicks that cause you to miss are the ones where the balls stick together due to chalk or static or w.e reason. When you get a bounce kick you usually just lose a bit of pace on either ball but can still make the pot a lot of the time whereas the other type of kick is kind of like an exaggerated directional "throw" in pool terms. Those are the really unfortunate ones because you almost always miss the pot on those kicks.

[daffie]

Another evening...another match

Cracking start from Mark Allen.

[PatBlock]

Another evening...another match

Cracking start from Mark Allen.

Yes, lovely 109, shame about the yellow, so close.

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[barrywhite]

What's Allen been eating, he's gonna be as big as big Bill W soon. Not sure about that Captain Birdseye look either Mikey D, I mean MB.

[daffie]

Don't wanna jinx it, but I have a good feeling about this match....could be a close one.

[barrywhite]

Don't wanna jinx it, but I have a good feeling about this match....could be a close one.

Better match than the afternoon one for standard so far.

[acpc89]

Better match than the afternoon one for standard so far.

Not really, 11 breaks over 50. A few cracking clearances, and a consistent decent level of long potting.

[PatBlock]

WOW! What a plant from Bazza.

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[daffie]

WOW! What a plant from Bazza.

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Yes lovely indeed.

Bit scrappy now...hoping for 2-2 at the msi.

[DeanH]

Yes lovely indeed.

Bit scrappy now...hoping for 2-2 at the msi.

no, you jinxed it earlier :wink: