If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
There will be some tough 1st round draws this season. Ken Doherty and Stephen Lee are easily top 16 players and I would still have Mark Williams down as a top 4 player if he could get his form back. In last 48 formats where these three players get a 'warm-up' match they're going to be tough to stop - I wouldn't be at all surprised if Williams wins a tournament this season.
I'm looking forward to the Ronnie/Carter match - their match last year in this tournament probably produced the finest display of snooker ever seen so this on will have a lot to live up to...
Ronnie, the winner. Not at his sharpest best (yet?), he got some good fortune. But all credit to him to have kept his discipline, to have taken his chances. He had the hunger and the fighting spirit and at the end of the day that's why he lifted the trophy. And of course he treated us with some moments of pure art. His clearance in frame 7 of the final probably being the gem
Dave Harold, the runner up. Hard working chap, not particularly blessed with fluency but competent, composed, assertive ... and never giving up. His attempt at a maxi when he was 8-2 down in the final was a piece of bravoure. Pity he didn't make it.
Ali Carter and Barry Hawkins. Both showing what they are capable of. Ali in particular seems to be finally overcoming some mental blocks. I expect both to climb the ranking this season.
Lows
Stephen Maguire allowing his temp get the better of him at and off the table. Maybe also not giving Dave Harold the respect he deserved. Cost him dearly.
Liang Wenbo. Playing utterly stupidly against John Higgins. That was a huge disapointment. It was so embarassing that it wasn't even minimally entertaining for all his attacking spirit. IF (if!) he played like that against Peter Ebdon I wonder to what abysmal levels Peter has slumped to be whitewashed 5-0!
Ding Junhui. Outed by Mark Davis - no disrespect to Mark - that was a bit of a shock. Will he ever deliver up to the expectations he raised when bursting on the snooker scene. I seriously start to doubt it. And I don't believe it's all linked to the spanking Ronnie gave him in the Masters 2007. There is more than that to this.
Questions
Mark Selby. Was he right to change his cue action? It's too early to tell. These reworkings need time and it's early in the season. Something to watch out ...
Murphy. Did he lose on purpose because he aimed at the PHC crown and was afraid not to be in Furth in time and in good shape?
Comment