Welsh Open 2016 - Discussion

[Billy]

Should finally get on TV when he plays Robertson tomorrow.

Great stuff! Thanks for the update. Can you confirm he has now got through?

[Odrl]

Great stuff! Thanks for the update. Can you confirm he has now got through?

Yes, Ding won 4-2.

[Billy]

Thank you.

[Odrl]

We have quite an interesting QF final line-up, with no really major surprises. Any of the eight players could win the tournament at this point, but three players do stand out...

Mark Allen v. Michael White: This should be a close one. I remember their two matches at the start of last season, when White was just breaking through with a couple of quarter-final appearances. He ran into Allen both times, in Shanghai and Chengdu, and lost both times. And of course Allen went on to reach the final of those two tournaments. I think there isn't much difference between the players anymore, apart from maybe a little bit of experience in Allen's favour. Both of them had pretty tricky draws here and could have easily gone out in the early rounds, but here they are. Allen hasn't been on TV yet, so perhaps I'm underestimating him a little, but I would give White a slight edge. White to win 5-4.

Neil Robertson v. Ding Junhui: Very much looking forward to this one. These two were part of a dominant "big4" two seasons ago, along with O'Sullivan and Selby, and all of them have made it to the quarter-finals this week. I suppose that's not particularly unusual, but it's still a pleasant surprise to see Ding back to the business end of a major event. He too has had a very tricky draw, beating the likes of Selt and Brecel in the early rounds, and he did it with some good scoring. Unfortunately statistics are all we have, since we haven't actually seen him on TV yet. We did see Robertson yesterday, and I thought he played pretty well against Fu. Certinaly the two big breaks he made were very impressive, although he did give Fu a few chances as well. Ding and Robertson haven't actually played since Ding's "magical" season in 2013/2014, but it's still worth noting that Ding has won their last four matches, including a major final in Beijing two years ago. Obviously Robertson is the more consistent and confident of the two at the moment, but an in-form Ding is more than a match for him. I will go for Robertson to win 5-3.

Mark Selby v. Ronnie O'Sullivan: No need to over-analyse their great rivalry, we know they've met in a number of major matches over the years, and both have had some success against the other. I thought Selby was the favourite ahead of their match at the Masters, but O'Sullivan won fairly comfortably in the end. This time I think O'Sullivan is the favourite. He has scored very strongly in all of his previous matches, and it doesn't seem like his form will desert him anytime soon. That said, he didn't have the toughest draw in the early rounds, and this will be the first real test for him. Selby has played well himself, but Williams did have a number of chances against him yesterday and failed to take them. I don't think that's likely to happen with O'Sullivan, so Selby needs to raise his game for this one. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise if he did, but I'm still going with O'Sullivan to win 5-3.

Joe Perry v. Ben Woollaston: There always seems to be one surprising pairing in the QF, and this is it. Perry was virtually out against Trump, but somehow survived that black ball finish, then played a pretty good decider. I didn't think he had the form to compete with Trump at the moment, but he played quite well, and it would have been an even more convincing performance had he not missed a fairly easy frame ball on two occasions. Luckily for him, he got away with it both times. Woollaston we haven't seen, but he has a chance to have a really strong run for the second year in a row in this event, so he clearly enjoys playing in Cardiff. Perry was the winner the last time they met, 6-5 in the International Championship this season, and I expect another close one here. Perry to win 5-4.

Finally the best-of-9s are here, and we can look forward to a great final weekend. :smile:

[Billy]

They lied. BBC highlights just showed Ding potting the match winner in their last minute roundup ... So they did get a static camera there afterall.

[Stevedavisshouldbeson]

Who think Ronnie will win this tournament ? Or will this scam thing he keeps tweeting about start to become a distraction?

[acpc89]

As much as I'd love to see Ronnie win, I can't see him getting past Selby tomorrow. I can see it been 5:2 Selby, Yu had his chanced today, didnt take them and it took a while for Ronnie to get in to the swing of things. However, if he can take a quick lead, I can see him running away with it 5:1.

The off table distraction with this scammer, might actually be a blessing in disguise for snooker fans. Ronnie seems to be more interested in this ( rightfully so if he has lost 125k) and therefore playing awesome snooker without a care in the world. I for one with personal experience, when I had court troubles, there were only a few times when it wasn't on my mind and that was playing league pool or practicing snooker by myself. Will Ronnie with it? If he gets past Selby , Yes. I also think he will be Robertson in the final. A much needed final between the 2 current best players in the world over a best of 17.

Here's to wishful thinking!

P.S. Ronnie, it's my birthday! Just one good win over Selby please!!!!!!

[Stevedavisshouldbeson]

Yeh I need ronniento win this tournament. I win nearly 700 if he does which will help me very much lol.

[Neil Taperell]

Whats this Scamming thing about ?

[culraven]

Whats this Scamming thing about ?

He's been making accusations against a promoter ripping him off for £150,000

[jrc750]

Well he should of taken that 10K then ehh

[cally]

Lol.... .

[Odrl]

What a lovely total clearance that was, didn't have the black available until the very last red. :smile:

[Odrl]

And an equally good response from Robertson, a total clearance of 140. I think this is only the third or fourth time one player has made two 140+ breaks in one tournament. :smile:

[gulliver]

Not sure it's been brought up before. Fun moment between ROS and ref Marcel Eckardt during the match against Yu Delu yesterday. After ROS complains about the table condition, it is suggested to at least give the white a good clean. Eckardt then asks Yu Delu a few times "what do you think?" and ROS goes "he doesn't speak English" with that fantastic grin on his face. Not the first time he makes Eckardt uncomfortable (deliberately or not).

See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZygWFyUvsg