2019 World Snooker Championship

[Mark187187]

Taking on that long red to the corner against an obviously struggling opponent tells me that he's in a mind frame where he doesn't care if he wins or loses, but he just wants to get it over with. Maybe he really just doesn't have the desire to grind it out for two weeks in long matches. Sad to see.

Not sure about that. He says he only plays when he wants. Surely if he didn't care about the world's and/or dislikes the tournament as much as he says, he just wouldn't turn up.

Just think he's having an average performance. It's never such a big deal when anyone else plays below par- I think people expect too much from him. I've said it before- as good as his A game is, his B or C game isn't so great, unlike someone like Selby or Higgins who can grind it out.

[stephenm2682]

Double the pink ! Why doesn't he just shake James and walk out ?

Wasn't he just playing the up and down safety?

[Neil Taperell]

Double the pink ! Why doesn't he just shake James hand and walk out ?

[DeanH]

pressure black, well struck!

[Stony152]

Taking on that long red to the corner against an obviously struggling opponent tells me that he's in a mind frame where he doesn't care if he wins or loses, but he just wants to get it over with. Maybe he really just doesn't have the desire to grind it out for two weeks in long matches. Sad to see.

[Mark187187]

I feel if Ronnie was up against a more experienced pro, he'd be out today... in a way he's lucky it's "just" James Cahill.

I think Cahill would be ahead of at least 5 or 6 or the top 16 playing as he has so far, and would have been toe-to-toe with most of the rest.

Anyway, it's the first round of the World's. Notorious stumbling block for many top players over the years. Most players just want to get it out the way so they can get into the second week. If Ronnie goes on and wins, I'd say the manner of the result has zero bearing on his chances in the later rounds.

[Stony152]

I feel if Ronnie was up against a more experienced pro, he'd be out today... in a way he's lucky it's "just" James Cahill.

And if he was up against Luo or Georgiou he'd alraedy have won 10-3 or 10-4.

[Tim65]

Since Cahill fluked the black & then missed the next red he's not hit a ball in a straight line.

[neuronic]

I feel if Ronnie was up against a more experienced pro, he'd be out today... in a way he's lucky it's "just" James Cahill.

[Stony152]

Weird scoreline. Ronnie leads in points scored 966-775, but trails 8-7 in frames won. Seems like he hasn't been willing to scrap for the closer frames or that he's been a bit unlucky. The winner of this frame is probably going to win the match.

[Stony152]

Where's Professor Steve Peters (Chimp Paradox)? Ronnie needs him more.

That's who I meant. Too many Steves.

[DeanH]

use the effing rest!

if you stretch for a shot and you bounce around trying to get comfortable, then get up and get the mini-butt then bounce around to get comfortable again - this means use the rest!

[ILLICIT]

It looks like SightRight has gone out the window for Ronnie

[cueman]

I also get the feeling conditions not suiting Ronnie. Don't get me wrong, he's not looked right, but the reaction of the balls to spin is not like a lot of tournaments we've seen this season. If these tables are a fraction slower and you are having to play with a bit more pace it can affect your timing and I think we've seen a few players particularly struggle on this table. The other table is playing a lot easier.

[neuronic]

Here we go... after that fluked black, James should have let Ronnie suffer. That was a poor red.