2017 China Open

[Cue crafty]

I really don't understand the Selby haters. He is an amazing snooker player who works extremely hard and has bottle and determination in abundance. He has made the absolute most of the cards he has been dealt and how many of us can honestly say that?

He is a top bloke and a great player, I personally don't like watching him play in the same way I never liked watching Cliff Thorburn play....

[DeanH]

Again British Eurosport not showing the final session live but at 18:00UK

But Guest (Sky144) is showing it live, set your reminder now

[JimMalone]

It was a great first session, though it could have had more tactical battles for my taste. Lovely breakbuilding for the most part. And with 5-4 to Selby all is open. Hoping for a close and great second session.

[PatBlock]

Well, I for myself enjoy watching him tremendously. He has everything. Can make breaks as good as anyone, is a great potter, fantastic safety game, high intelligence in the game (I wish more players would go for the right shot and not always play as offensive). Selby is the most complete player during the last years.

I also really enjoy watching him, I love his 'off the wall' shot selection. And I don't see the negativity people accuse him of at all, just a brilliant tactician at work. His ability to switch gear/style when needed, (as in the last UK Champs final) makes him a very entertaining watch indeed. This is a dream final for me.

What a bitter mistake to lose that sixth frame for Williams.

That was incredible wasn't it. How on earth could one of the subtlest cueists ever seen make such a blunder. Great pot from Selby to kick off the winning break though.
Really looking forward to the conclusion of this one. :smile: C'MON MARK!! (preferably Williams )

-

[Odrl]

A really enjoyable first session, and a great result for Williams after it looked like he could go a couple of frames behind. He was lucky to get away with the 7th frame, Selby uncharacteristically missing a mid-range yellow, and he was lucky that Selby broke down on 32 in the final frame as well. We've seen quite a few players this season limit the damage in the first session of a final, then come out really strongly in the evening and take control of the match. Could it happen today as well? Well, Selby is pretty tough to crack, isn't he...

A pleasant surprise to see almost all of the final televised on Eurosport International on this occasion. I've noticed they are not showing the Ronde van Vlaanderen at all this year. What happened? :smile:

[Odrl]

Ah, here we go, cycling on the main channel, so it was just a mistake in the TV schedule. :smile: That means I can enjoy a little bit of snooker on Eurosport 2 before Bundesliga matches start. :smile:

[JimMalone]

though it could have had more tactical battles for my taste.

Well, there we are
Selby clinches the 11th frame to go 6-5 up again.

[JimMalone]

As we come closer to the end Mark Williams goes ahead for the first time with 7-6. He really goes toe-to-toe with Selby today. Great stuff.

[Billy]

Joe Johnson's sticky-clicky mouth

[PatBlock]

Joe Johnson's sticky-clicky mouth

Not to mention his nose-whistling, mic-strangling and chair-creaking...... I like him all the same.

-

[Billy]

Not to mention his nose-whistling, mic-strangling and chair-creaking...... I like him all the same.

-

Yes, and all that too

[JimMalone]

That 15th frame could be crucial. Very tense now.

[JimMalone]

Great frame! Williams 8-7 in front now.

[JimMalone]

Great frame! Williams 8-7 in front now.

And what a response from Selby. He must have been pretty frustrated, losing that 15th frame after getting the needed foul points. Then making a great break in the 16th frame to level it 8-8.

[JimMalone]

And what a response from Selby. He must have been pretty frustrated, losing that 15th frame after getting the needed foul points. Then making a great break in the 16th frame to level it 8-8.

Selby follows it up with a 124. His third century in this match.