China Open - semi-finals and final discussion

[doorag]

Every time Selby goes far in a tournament everyone (except Odrl) loses interest in the tournament. I wonder why.

Isn't Selby one of the most popular players on this forum? Usually he gets alot of cheers.

[ore]

Every time Selby goes far in a tournament everyone (except Odrl) loses interest in the tournament. I wonder why.

More like everybody loses interest in a snooker site when it's not accessible during a ranking event SF...

Nevermind Selby, TRUMP IS IN THE FINAL!

But you're right, if it was Ronnie in the final, no forum upgrades would stop us :snooker:

[João]

Ding Junhui admitted he had been frustrated by the slow nature of the match and was disappointed to not be able to win the China Open for a second time: "I couldn't find my form and the slow pace was a killer for me. It was Selby's pace that was slow, not my own but I can't do anything about that."

Ding couldn't be more right. Selby make snooker look the most boring sport ever.

[Rane]

I think the reason for the low activity is that the matches are played too early for us europeans.

[Odrl]

Ding Junhui admitted he had been frustrated by the slow nature of the match and was disappointed to not be able to win the China Open for a second time: "I couldn't find my form and the slow pace was a killer for me. It was Selby's pace that was slow, not my own but I can't do anything about that."

Huh, I can't help thinking that something was lost in translation there. Yes, the match was very tactical, but that's certainly something both players contributed to. Both players found the baulk cushion on many occasions, so it's not unexpected that they had to take their time. It wasn't poor stuff either, it was pretty high quality.

But yes, the style of the match certainly suited Selby more. He is very good in the fragmented frames, especially when there are a lot of tricky safeties to be played. He got out of very tricky situations a couple of times. There were a couple of shots where he just managed to hit an isolated red from a snooker, then there was the shot where he just clipped a red off the black cushion to go back to baulk, and also the shot where he played the white in the jaws that ultimately resulted in a re-rack. I actually don't think he dominated the safety battles today, he probably lost just as many as he won. But his real advantage is that he can switch back to breakbuilding mode pretty quickly, whereas most players struggle to find their rhythm again. It didn't work in his favour against Williams in Germany, but it probably did today.

I don't think Ding would have necessarily won if it was one-visit snooker though, as Selby seemed to have more firepower right from the start.

[missneworleans]

Wow Judd is on fire! No nerves or anything playing like he was there before many times!
Well what a steal from Mark. Turning point.

[Odrl]

Wow Judd is on fire! No nerves or anything playing like he was there before many times!
Well what a steal from Mark. Turning point.

Yes, Trump started very well. I was afraid he would be needing two chances to win frames, like he did against Murphy, but he made a couple of good centuries to put the pressure on Selby. It was only in the last frame that he missed the frame ball, and it could be the difference between winning or losing the match.

Selby didn't play anywhere near his best in the first session. He was probably under the impression that the match against Ding was the real final, and he paid the price. When Trump was in the balls at 5-2, it was the first time I thought Selby wasn't favourite for the match anymore. But having made that clearance, he is not far behind, so he has every chance of producing one of his trademark evening session comebacks.

It should be a great conclusion.

[Hal]

Good match so far, I think Selby will play better than he did in first session.

And what I don´t understand is, someone wrote he Mark is making snooker boring .... Really? I find him as one of the most enjoyable players :-)

[Odrl]

A lovely start to the evening session. I think it would have been hard for Trump to recover if he lost that frame, but he managed to win it in the end.

[Odrl]

Excellent stuff. Two great breaks from Selby, followed by a great break from Trump to restore his advantage.

The next frame could be very important.

[ore]

A lovely start to the evening session. I think it would have been hard for Trump to recover if he lost that frame, but he managed to win it in the end.

I don't think so, Trump seems to continue his potting train today not looking back to whatever happened before; seems to take decisions to play safe after a bad positional shot quickly, just getting on with what the situation is at that moment. Very correct attitude psychologically.

How do you rate Judd's chances against Robertson in World Champs R1?
It's already in 2 weeks.

[João]

How do you rate Judd's chances against Robertson in World Champs R1?
It's already in 2 weeks.

I think Dale will beat Ronnie comfortably.

Also, come on Trump. Selby winning would be terrible for snooker, let's not spoil what has been a great tournament.

[ore]

I think Dale will beat Ronnie comfortably.

Also, come on Trump. Selby winning would be terrible for snooker, let's not spoil what has been a great tournament.

Oh that one's gona be a funny match. Ronnie might need above average losing abilities.

But how come you worrying about what's good & bad for snooker, don't cry when Ronnie loses?

Trump is damn cool. So funny when Selby get's outplayed with snookers & safeties

[jrc750]

.... Selby winning would be terrible for snooker, let's not spoil what has been a great tournament.

Yet again you don't half talk some rubbish mate

[hotpot]

Great game of snooker , only thing spoiling it is that annoying referee who,s stood in the way of the shot on umptine occassions when players are escaping from snookers .