First Round "Surprises"

[rambon]

Who will be the surprise first-round losers?

I have a sneaking feeling that Higgins, Hendry, Ebdon, Davis and Dott, all former champions, will go out in the first round.

Am I mad?

[crucible77]

No your not mad
Higgins could definetly go out in r1
I think Ding will struggle against Marco Fu
Dott will also probably lose however hes got personal difficulties at the moment.

[spike]

I think Higgins could well be a first round casualty if Stevens plays at the top of his game. Also Junhui, Hendry, and Ebdon are very likely to be 1st round losers with them all having a difficult first hurdle to overcome!

[missneworleans]

Well I think Higgins will beat Stevens c'os Matthew is not in good form.
Dott , Ding , Hendry and Ebdon can go out!

[rambon]

Stevens is a different proposition in Sheffield... Higgins has the curse to overcome...

[spike]

You may well be right about Higgins beating Stevens with Stevens playing well below his best of late, but he always seems to produce his best for Sheffield which makes him such a DANGER whoever he plays!

Personally i would like to see Stevens beat Higgins as i have missed watching his talent on the green baize for most of this season. I have nothing against John Higgins as he is a fine player and ambassador for the sport but i just feel as there will be an upset come Saturday evening

[snooky147]

actually, no Higgin's does not have the curse to overcome, it only applies to first time winners defending title.

[rambon]

Ah but when he won the worlds for the first time he got to the semis... it's skipped a generation but he's cursed...

[Wim]

Really, if Higgins can't beat Stevens it wouldn't be a surprise but a scandal

[spike]

All will be revealed come tomorrow night. I cant wait!

[Marc]

Who will be the surprise first-round losers?

I have a sneaking feeling that Higgins, Hendry, Ebdon, Davis and Dott, all former champions, will go out in the first round.

Am I mad?

your not mad!

I agree with all...

With ebdon, i think jamie cope he plays first round and Cope reached 2 finals last season ( china and the gp) this season he thrashed john higgins in the uk championship 9-3..my prediction is cope will win 9-8 or 9-7 there!


Stuart Bingham against steve davis could be interesting too my moneys on bingham to win... they also played 4 months ago in the uk championship and bingham thrashed davis 9-4

Dott hasnt won a match all season, hendry has had his worst season ever..

None of these results will be much of a surprise to me..

[PaulTheSoave]

Ebdon, Dott, Davis and Hendry going out is hardly a surprise as they played poorly this season. Surprise exits are for me, Murphy, Selby or Maguire going out first round. As they are dead certain to go to the second round.

[JPK123]

Don't forget, Stevens has never lost in the first round. You could say that means nothing, but he's done it so many times he's got a real knack for it. Plus, the longer it lasts, the harder it should be to end.

However bad Steven's season has been, (I don't particularly mean this year) he always seems to come good at the Crucible.

[The Boss]

King fired up for Title charge

Mark King is fired up to end Mark Selby's hopes in the first round. King knows he is only one or two victories away from securing a Top 16 place. But his aspirations are much greater than just beating the Shark. He's fired up to go the distance and win the title

:snooker:

[spike]

You cant underestimate King any of the time, but i think and i hope especially as i have a nice wedge of cash on Selby that you're wrong on this occasion.