Shanghai Masters - Semi-finals discussion

[Fuu]

nah... O'sullivan again. Not that I'd fancy that, but hats off, ROS played well tonight.

Not much to say about Selby, he simply fell to pieces. The first semi was dreadfull to watch, the only entertaining part being Rickys recovery.

Curious about the final though, hope Ricky can atleast give ROS a bit of a hard time.

About the Chinese Commentators, they are really really hard to get used to. Did anyone watch Shanghai Sports? They had Dale there, throwing comments in every now and then, and I guess it's hard to get this guy puzzled, but when the commentator asked whether ROS was now going for a maximum in the decider (after he had potted one red and one black .... ), he was clearly out of words for a moment and then ironically stated that he'd rather expect Ronnie to simply try and win the frame.

The cheers from the crowd whenever Mags did something wrong were definitely not okay. Ronnie being a hero in China or not, that's just not the way it goes.

And a friend told me they asked Mags before the match whether he'd be shaken by the fact that he had to play ROS, and he replied something along the lines: yeah, totally, I mean, playing O'Sullivan you are lucky if you win one frame and I'll probably have a close look at the chair since I'll be spending lots of time there.

I don't want to say all Chinese reporters are like that, but that's way off the mark and simply tactless and... I'm sorry, plain stupid. This is not how journalism works and I'm really taken aback by how they approach the players.

Thus being said: Come on Ricky! and lets hope for a good match tomorrow and a halfway decent coverage.

[Rane]

It's fair to say he has been lucky in the draw in these three tournaments until meeting Maguire, when Ronnie needed to and did up his game. I don't think Maguire would have lost if he had played how he did in the early matches or as he did in NIT. (not Ronnie's fault of course that players haven't taken their chances) I think Selby has the game to frustrate Ronnie, but he didn't capitalise when he should have done today.

I'd be surprised if Walden gets close tomorrow, but you never know.

In this tournament I don´t agree that he has had a lucky draw. Joe Perry, Mark Williams close to topform and then Maguire. At the moment it couldn´t be much tougher. A shame that Selby didn´t live up to what should be expected today. On the paper that would be a more interesting match.

[Fuu]

A shame that Selby didn´t live up to what should be expected today. On the paper that would be a more interesting match.

... yeah. You say something there. I really wonder why he suddenly played so dreadful. Already yesterday, the first part of the match was horrible, nothing worked but during the break he managed to recover. Today that totally wasn't the Selby you could see during the last weeks. Just hope he shows up playing well again at the Grand Prix.

[Rane]

yeah, totally, I mean, playing O'Sullivan you are lucky if you win one frame and I'll probably have a close look at the chair since I'll be spending lots of time there.

.

As I read that sentence on worldsnooker, Maguire was joking.

[Fuu]

I take it ironically, but I'm not sure he was joking. I didn't see the interview, so correct me if I'm wrong, friend of mine just said he was basically storming away after he said that.
And I mean, it really IS stupid to ask someone like SM whether he's shaken by the fact that he'll be playing O'Sullivan.
Anyway, basically my point was only to show agreement to the fact that the Chinese commentating and interviewing has to get better. I love their enthusiasm for the game, but first comes professionality. Or it should, atleast.

[Rane]

It can be seen on Worldsnookers postmatch interviews.

[Monique]

I take it ironically, but I'm not sure he was joking. I didn't see the interview, so correct me if I'm wrong, friend of mine just said he was basically storming away after he said that.
And I mean, it really IS stupid to ask someone like SM whether he's shaken by the fact that he'll be playing O'Sullivan.
Anyway, basically my point was only to show agreement to the fact that the Chinese commentating and interviewing has to get better. I love their enthusiasm for the game, but first comes professionality. Or it should, atleast.

You can be certain Maguire was speaking tongue in cheek! He's ways more assertive than that! The interviewers did indeed put a good few embarassng questions, as embarassing for ROS as it was for his opponents. Body language from all parts told a zillions stories! Now ... I regularly read the asian press about snooker and there is an "emphatic" style about them that is quite odd and even hilarious by our standards and habits. But then our articles maybe look dull and "flat" in their eyes. What is the correct or acceptable way of expressing feelings and emotions is very much culture dependent.

[rich45]

It's a valid question, asking Maguire if he will get shaken by playing Ronnie. Afterall, he did succumb in the final of the UK last year and I've read interviews where he states that his biggest disappointment in snooker was losing to Ronnie 10-9 in Sheffield a few years ago. Mental scarring is definitely there, in my opinion...

Also, after the match today when they were both being interviewed together, he basically admitted bottling it, as beating Ronnie would have been "a big scalp." That's why I expected the mistake from Maguire when he had an excellent chance to clear up and win 6-4...

[Rane]

But last time the two met (Masters 2008) it was the other way around. Ronnie made a horrible miss and Maguire cleared the table to win 6 - 5, so basicly I can´t quite see why he should be scared.

[The Boss]

I think there will be a 147 tomorrow. Ronnie will want to make one for sure :snooker:

[rokas_m]

anyone is watching the final? Walden is ahead 3:1

[Ekphantos]

Just saw the last frame before the interval (no way I get up before 8 on a Sunday ). Better than expected, hope Walden can keep it up.

[rokas_m]

ronnie missed easy red and left everything for a high break for walden

EDIT: walden also missed pot, blue this time