Grand Prix tournament discussion thread

[Semih_Sayginer]

Great idea Semih.

(the premier league would be "the same", but with money per frame, and each century it doesnt get "highlighted", as theres much to play for, but if the ranking points were still to play for, then at least thered be some more motivation for folk whove already qualified.)

put it this way, i dont agree with Alex0's post saying you cant change it to stop things like it happening.....of course you can, but whether or not those changes will be made, or would be accepted isnt sure, but you could change it IMHO

[Sarmu]

Well even atm you want to get 3rd and 4th so you get 1700 points instead of 700, so there should be enough motivation to do well even if you can't qualify

[Black_cat]

Ok...We already have two quarter-finalists.
About the O'Sullivan/Judge match...Michael was as nervous as hell and yet managed some lovely shots.
As for Ronnie...not a single long pot succeeded , 6-7 mid-range reds completely misjudged, negligent or average safeties for most of the time and (the icing on the cake) the miss on match red.
Judge gave Ronnie a s***load of chances in the 5th, chances not converted. Actually the frame had turned into a missfest.
And yet...glimpses of old times-Ronnie, the 6th frame and that impossible clearance.
One can win average matches relying on one's lethal breakbuilding and on the opponent's nerves. But it's not enough. Not at all.
Ebdon, Higgins, Murphy...

[dannyd0g]

Ok...We already have two quarter-finalists.
About the O'Sullivan/Judge match...Michael was as nervous as hell and yet managed some lovely shots.
As for Ronnie...not a single long pot succeeded , 6-7 mid-range reds completely misjudged, negligent or average safeties for most of the time and (the icing on the cake) the miss on match red.
Judge gave Ronnie a s***load of chances in the 5th, chances not converted. Actually the frame had turned into a missfest.
And yet...glimpses of old times-Ronnie, the 6th frame and that impossible clearance.
One can win average matches relying on one's lethal breakbuilding and on the opponent's nerves. But it's not enough. Not at all.
Ebdon, Higgins, Murphy...

In some ways that analysis sums up how Ronnie has been recently (apart from in the Masters) although it is a little harsh on him today, some of his long pots attempts were very tricky but most got very close - not like he was miles off. A few misjudged safeties again too though.

Yes he will have to improve to beat the likes of Higgins or Murphy and I'm sure he knows that. He probably does just enough to get through sometimes. But if he cant find another gear todays standard would be enough to beat most players and might be enough to allow him a comfortable runners up spot in the final again - not that he would choose to settle for that though.

[Black_cat]

In some ways that analysis sums up how Ronnie has been recently (apart from in the Masters) although it is a little harsh on him today, some of his long pots attempts were very tricky but most got very close - not like he was miles off. A few misjudged safeties again too though.

I'm a huge, humongous, ginormous fan, Danny, totally entitled to be harsh. And yes, some long ones courted the pocket but did not do the business with it.
I'm hoping for improvement.

[rivercard]

What happened to Ricky Walden? He seemed to be in good form in the group stage, but losing 5-0 against Greene is not very great..
GSC says that the 3rd frame was 43-3 to Greene. Is that a new record for lowest number of points scored in a frame?

[Stella147]

Woo hoo - Joe Swail is through to the next round

[gensdon]

of course ricky walden was to lose this match, he lost all the momentum by losing his last match to judge... the same goes for maguire, who was one of my pre-tournament favorate, i hope liu beats him now

[Alex0paul]

If Ronnie plays Murphy it will be the first time ever that I will cheer on Ronnie. Circumstances always contrive for these not to meet but in there previous meeting in the Premier League O'Sullivan won 5-1. Murphy doesn't have a very good record against the 'big name' players.

[Black_cat]

If Ronnie plays Murphy it will be the first time ever that I will cheer on Ronnie.

Wow, Alex, that's a historical first. *jaw drops*
I cheered for Day today, didn't help.
I don't think Ronnie and Murphy have ever met in MT tournaments. Can anyone tell me for sure? Not after his 2005 WCH win, anyway.

[Ekphantos]

If Ronnie plays Murphy it will be the first time ever that I will cheer on Ronnie.

Same for me

Edit: or actually not quite true, I also wanted him to beat Ding in the Masters

[Alex0paul]

Wow, Alex, that's a historical first. *jaw drops*
I cheered for Day today, didn't help.
I don't think Ronnie and Murphy have ever met in MT tournaments. Can anyone tell me for sure? Not after his 2005 WCH win, anyway.

They have never met outisde invitational events.

[gensdon]

there could be some surprising results tonight. ebdon has never beaten hawkins before, higgins has a really poor record against fu. and liu song is an unknown.

[Black_cat]

Thanks, Alex, that's what I suspected, too.

[Wim]

I will cheer on Ronnie

Alex speaking words of wisdom here.

Anyway it has to be said Murphy is playing well...so it could be a great game