Chinese good sports?

[PaulTheSoave]

I dont think so. First time I am watching The China Open this week. Any ball ROS pots is accompanied with cheers and applause. Whenever Dott plays a brilliant shot its utter silence!

[missneworleans]

Yes, all countries are the same-all like showman's....

[Skypigeon]

I think they are a rowdy bunch....

[dannyd0g]

I dont think so. First time I am watching The China Open this week. Any ball ROS pots is accompanied with cheers and applause. Whenever Dott plays a brilliant shot its utter silence!

To be honest I think the crowd reaction would be like that wherever in the world this match was played. Fact is, Ronnie is always going to be more popular than someone like Dott.

Ok the Chinese crowd may have taken it to the extreme, and in the UK there might have been a bit more "polite applause" for Dott. But to me it just shows that Ronnies appeal is universal.

[The Statman]

To be honest I think the crowd reaction would be like that wherever in the world this match was played. Fact is, Ronnie is always going to be more popular than someone like Dott.

Ok the Chinese crowd may have taken it to the extreme, and in the UK there might have been a bit more "polite applause" for Dott. But to me it just shows that Ronnies appeal is universal.

To an extent that's true, but I do think that, on the whole, audiences tend to applaud the shot rather than the player. Some of Dott's shots today, particularly where he screwed into the remaining little bunch from a baulk colour off the side cushion, would have got a far more appreciative applause at, say, the Crucible.

There are obvious exceptions, like at the latter end of a match when someone misses and the majority of the crowd supports the other player.

[Maija]

I dont think so. First time I am watching The China Open this week. Any ball ROS pots is accompanied with cheers and applause. Whenever Dott plays a brilliant shot its utter silence!

The crowd is a lot more audible, noisy and less what we're used to. When ROS is playing exhibition his style snooker at the same time that Dott is actually trying to win the match by keeping his game at the same standard that it has been at so far in the tournament, it is clear who will get the cheers and bravos. Snooker is a young(ish) sport in China, and appreciation of defencive game tactics or just plain ball potting with no flash and extravaganza only comes with having watched the game for a while.

So give them a few more years. I'm glad they're still turning up at the arena now that Ding's out!

[PaulTheSoave]

I agree with Statman the particular shot gets the applause. It was only the case towards the end of the match. Even the commentator mentioned it. If I am watching live I appreciate any good shot or safety whoever it makes.

Another thing that occurred to me were the empty seats left, right and baulk side of the table while the upper tier was completely full. I wonder if there are different ticket prices, which normally is not the case.

[Miss_S]

I agree with Statman the particular shot gets the applause. It was only the case towards the end of the match. Even the commentator mentioned it. If I am watching live I appreciate any good shot or safety whoever it makes.

Another thing that occurred to me were the empty seats left, right and baulk side of the table while the upper tier was completely full. I wonder if there are different ticket prices, which normally is not the case.

Actually,the Swedish commentator said that the best seats (ringside) cost something like 400 euros!
If that's the case,no wonder they're empty!