2016 World Championship discussion

[daffie]

And I used to kinda like you as a normal member!

*kinda* ?

Wrong result, and hopefully will MJW come back. I believe he can make it, he has been playing really well in this tournament, even 5:3 in the evening session won't be that bad, but the more he wins, the better.

On the other table, the result so far seems really promising, I hope Mark can win the 8th frame to take 7:1 advantage.

My dream final this year would be Williams vs Fu/Selby or Hawkins. If MJW won't progress through, I will go with Ding of whom I am not the biggest fan, but I like him the most from the remaining players of the quarter.

Yes I would definitely like to see a comeback from MJW in this match as well. Close matches I live for. If he goes through I'll be perfectly fine with that as well, but I really feel it's Ding's time in the spotlight..it's been many years coming now. He is such a nice lad.

All remaining players are great lads, great to watch and great for the game / tournament. Each possible Semi final and Final lineup has 2 fantastic competitors in prospect so we really cannot go wrong this year

:snooker:

Hoping Kyren can make it 6-2 just to keep his hopes alive.

....

[PatBlock]

Wilson did well to take those last 2 frames considering how the previous 6 went. 6 - 2 gives him a chance anyway, although Selby's clearly favourite now, a couple of early frames in the next session and you never know, I wouldn't put it past him.

As for MJW v Ding, I was/am expected Ding to win quite comfortably.

-

[cally]

Can't quite believe all the comments about not going to watch now..

not watching cos your fave has gone out. Jeez.

[Odrl]

I managed to watch this session after all, and I am a little surprise by how one-sided the matches have been so far, particularly Selby-Wilson. Wilson did well to get the last two frames though. He is a great battler, so I'm sure he still believes he can get back into the match.

Why have i lost complete interest in the world now that ronnie has gone out? Is there something badly wrong with me? Dunno how he lost, christ the amount of scrappy frames hawkins drew him into, talk about boring players, cant blame a guy for not watching now. Sickened.

This has to be the weirdest comment I've read today. I think they showed the match time at 5 hours when they were playing the 21st frame, which surely makes it one of the quickest three-session matches in the history of the Crucible. It was break after break, so I'm not sure where you saw all these scrappy frames...

[sealer]

He didn't watch it. Ronnie was under pressure from the first frame. He relaxed a bit at 12-9 and started cueing well. Started going through the ball well which resulted in good control, etc. Shots of the cushions and so on. It was to late and Hawkins keept his cool really well to make the break in the decider. Ronnie didn't manage to get in first so it was to difficult in the end. However he wasn't just sharp enougt do when he finally got a chance he wasted it misjudging a screw with side to come of 2 cusions for the black.

It almost finished with him winning again. One good chance in the decider. He is a great player he just wasn't good enough for Hawkins. Well played to both.

[gavpowell]

Is it possible to have a Fu-Ding or Fu-Selby final? Those are the only two results that wouldn't hold my interest - anything else I'll enjoy watching.

[johnsusername]

Can't see MJW getting through now. 5-3 wouldn't have been so bad but 6-2 is a killer. Also - MJW get a shave! He looks really scruffy every time I see him. Make a bit of effort for the Crucible man! Can't see Ding winning the whole thing though - surely it's too much with the qualifiers. He'll be knackered!

Wow, Selby is some player. I know nobody really likes him here but he has got The Game. I didn't used to like him, but have cut him some slack when I read about his upbringing etc. I've actually warmed to him - he plays for himself and his family and doesn't really care what other people think, which is fair enough. BUT... you never know, he does seem to have something going on behind the scenes so if Kyren manages to start chipping away then who knows what could happen.

GUTTED about Ronnie. Gah. Yes, Hawkins is an excellent player...BUT I just think he's so dull to watch... I mean, my door hinges do their job very well but I don't want to watch them! As someone also mentioned, I think last night was Hawkins's final. He'll be shattered and I wouldn't be surprised if he went out this round.

Undecided on Higgins - I used to love him when I was growing up, but the whole match fixing thing was strange. For the record I think he was just stupid and naïve. He doesn't look fit enough to last the whole tournament though so can's see him winning.

It'll be interesting to see who triumphs, for sure.

[Hal]

Is it possible to have a Fu-Ding or Fu-Selby final? Those are the only two results that wouldn't hold my interest - anything else I'll enjoy watching.

Fu - Ding possible, Fu - Selby not (both bottom) ....
It is
Higgins/McManus v Ding/Williams top
Fu/Hawkins v Selby/Wilson bottom

[Billy]

DT needs to stop slacking and get back in the CB. He was fit enough to play a frame with that golfing dude the other day, so he should be okay to sit on his arse talking into a microphone.

What has been a brilliant WC this year now looks like having a final with at least one player who does absolutely nothing for me. Higgins, Selby and Hawkins bore me senseless, I'm afraid, and I can't see at least one of the first two of those going all the way.

I just hope Higgins and Selby meet one another before the final. At least that eliminates one of them.

[sprogbasket]

Thank you for posting that.

As harsh as I can be re Ronnie sometimes, that interview has shown me the real Ronnie and his feelings. He spoke very eloquent and insightful as well as being very 'human' with honesty about his doubts, pressures and depression always lurking around the corner. It was heartfelt and made me feel for him. Gracious towards Barry as well.

Impressive interview.

I am with you and have been quite critical of ROS in the past...but his performances this year have been exceptional...I actually saw him for the first time (live)at the welsh open and was blown away by his wonderful cue action which doesnt come across so well on TV...magnificent.

His come back against Barry showed just how much bottle he has got and he was unfortunate that the final frame went so scrappy....but I have never seen him look so nervous before- he was visibly shaking whilst sat in his seat and looked very close to tears towards the end of that final frame.

He does have his demons I genuinely believe he is terrified of not winning that 6th title as he will be regarded as an under achiever if he doesnt...being a close friend of Jimmy White I suspect he feels him not winning a 6th is like Jimmy never winning a first..a total injustice to their talent !

Anyway his interview was very touching and showed great maturity, self reflection and honesty....just hope he can come back from this...I certainly wouldnt begrudge him a 6th...even tho Hendry will always be the best in my book....unbelievable winner.

The tournament is deffo worse of for his exit.

[jonny66]

Higgins v Ding
Selby v Hawkins

That's my guess for the semis, no idea who'll get into the final.

[Neil Taperell]

10 balls Barry has potted in 3 Frames for a points total of 13 !

Needs to drastically improve or all his hard work over the last few days' will be in vain .

[mikeyd100]

10 balls Barry has potted in 3 Frames for a points total of 13 !

Needs to drastically improve or all his hard work over the last few days' will be in vain .

He'll be drained from last night, he wont wake up till the next session.

[jonny66]

Barry might be hungover, figuratively speaking, from last night.

[jonny66]

Great minds Mikey