Masters Final Discussion

[hegeland]

Ronnie O'Sullivan v Mark Selby

Ref: Jan Verhaas

14.00 - first 8 frames
20.00 - first to 11 frames

Live on Eurosport and BBC 2

[Odrl]

Lovely colours.

I'm looking forward to this one. Both players seem to have something special in this event. O'Sullivan in his 8th final, his 5th in the last 6 years. Surprisingly, his record in the finals so far is below 50%, but he's lost a couple of close ones. Mark Selby on the other hand, is still undefeated. He has a chance to make this tournament his own, and if anyone other than O'Sullivan was going to enjoy the atmosphere today, it's Selby.

5 years in a row, this final has finished either 10-9 or 10-3. And if you add 10-8 and 10-4 as scorlines, it's 12 years in a row. So it either goes really close, or not close at all. I think O'Sullivan has more chance of making it one sided. He's very hard to catch when he gets in front. Somehow, I don't see O'Sullivan losing 10-3, and it's hard to see Selby losing a two session match convincingly. If it goes close, you have to favour Selby. His pressure play is awesome, especially in this tournament, and he's more likely to win the scrappy frames than O'Sullivan. I much prefer a 10-9 scoreline whoever wins.

What O'Sullivan needs to do is keep his discipline. Even if he forces his pace on the match (that's frames lasting 10mins, and him winning them with a century), he has to expect Selby slowing it down at some point. The kind of frames he had to face in the Welsh Open final, from 8-5 up, he is going to have to face again. He would be very lucky to avoid that. And that's where he will need to be patient, and take his chances when they come. If he gets frustrated and shows it, Mark Selby will know he has him.

Mark Selby has been talking about changing his technique and playing faster this season. He needs to forget about that today. Ok, he could win without mind games, he can make the breaks as well. I suppuse he could give it a shot in the early stages. But if it goes O'Sullivan's way, it's plan B time. Take your time, intentionally make the table awkward during safety exchanges, and try to force O'Sullivan to play the snooker he doesn't want to play. It sounds harsh, but that's the way to do it, and if he doesn't at least attempt it, he'll lose my respect a bit.

[Blondie]

...I'd also prefer a 10-9 scoreline, exciting play, and unbelieveable potting. But if it has to come down to scrappy frames, Mark certainly has the temperament for them.

RO'S definitely on form, plus very focussed, cue breaking incident has regenerated him somewhat, and if he plays today as he did last night, very hard to beat. A delight to watch.

The longer playing format suits Mark, as he proved at Newport, coming back from an 8-5 deficit. And the more pressure he is under, the better he plays. Pressure seems to be his trigger.

And splits for me really, as an avid supporter of both, and whether Ronnie lifts the trophy again, or Mark manages to retain it, both ok in my book.

Best of luck guys....

[ren4e]

Honastly I don't like them both, so it's really hard for me to choose who to support today. I am just sick of hearing everywhere the name Ronnie so may be I will be for Selby. He made some incradible matches last year and maybe the Masters title will concrete his positions in snooker world.
Whatever the result I am sure we will watch a great match. So good luck to Selby and Ronnie and enjoy the game, snooker fans

[spike]

Mark Selby's battling qualities and the way at times he wins scrappy frames is very reminiscent of Mark Williams.

[dannyd0g]

Lovely colours.

I
Mark Selby has been talking about changing his technique and playing faster this season. He needs to forget about that today. Ok, he could win without mind games, he can make the breaks as well. I suppuse he could give it a shot in the early stages. But if it goes O'Sullivan's way, it's plan B time. Take your time, intentionally make the table awkward during safety exchanges, and try to force O'Sullivan to play the snooker he doesn't want to play. It sounds harsh, but that's the way to do it, and if he doesn't at least attempt it, he'll lose my respect a bit.

I feel strongly the exact opposite. If Selby has to resort to gamemanship to try to bore and frustrate Ronnie into defteat then I will loose all respect for him and despise him for ever

Theres nothing wrong with safety and keeping things tight, but deliberate time wasting is totally unacceptable.

Selby with never be able to score higher than Ronnie, but he can out pot him on the long pots. Ronnie can play safety as well as anyone.

Could be a great match if Selby plays fair and ROS is in the mood.

[JiangYu]

I hope we'll be witnessing something special today! I'm really hoping for a Maximum Break today!

[João]

I don't really believe in the "deliberate time wasting" strategy because it's harmful for both players really. If you're on a run you have no reason to start wasting time and break your own pace.

[mmirza16993]

Can anyone wish for a better final? I really like both players so its hard for me to pick however I really for some reason want ROS to win. I think Selby is in for a big challenge seeing as ROS is on top form after "thrashing" Maguire yesterday. Anyhow, its 100% likely to be an extremely entertaining match

[spike]

Well these two have provided us with some great matches in the past so surely they wont disappoint? This already is turning out to be one of the great rivalry's in the present game

[Odrl]

Theres nothing wrong with safety and keeping things tight, but deliberate time wasting is totally unacceptable.

Yeah, I agree. I'm not talking about deliberately taking a long time on easy shots. But he does need to take his time, and keep O'Sullivan off the table. Even if he knocks himself out of rhythm, it would still hurt O'Sullivan more than him.

[paul147]

i hope selby wins don,t like o,sullivan yeah he,s a great player but the way he conducts himself is out of order walking out in the middle of matches,conceding frames unnecessarily,smashing up cues just to mention a few things.

[Alex0paul]

Why is O'Sullivan in the number 1 chair when Selby is defending champion and number 1 seed?

[johnwilliamson007]

Im hoping for a close finish too, but i feel ronnie might blow selby away.

Im gona go for 10-6 win for ronnie.

I also hope ronnie can win, cause it would be a remarkable achievement with a new cue.

[spike]

Ronnie leads Mark Selby 1-0. Good first frame