Format and Schedule of China Open

[montoya10]

6 minutes to midnight it finished, so the curse continues. It probably would have gone beyond 1am local time for a 6-5 scoreline, but of course it had to finish 6-3.

As the score went to 5-3, I checked the clock and just predicted it to end up 6-3, as it was the only way curse would continue. Crucible curse is a popular one. This one isn't off by far
I guess tomorrow should give way to a good final. I'm not expecting a one sided match, but Maguire has played better than Ding in this tournament for me, so, it's a hard task for Ebdon to beat him, as well. Then again, a path including Stevens, Higgins, Robertson and Ding.. He will be in a confident mood. And you surely can't overlook a confident Peter Ebdon in a ranking event final. People all tend to forget how good his potting & long potting are.
Looking forward to it (=

[Odrl]

Yes, in many ways a similar run to the one in 2009, but I thought he won his matches mostly through grit and determination this week, while he was in a really impressive potting and scoring form in 2009.

I think Maguire might be the toughest opponent of the week for him though, because he is the only one really hungry for a title, the only player who hasn't won an event in years. That's why his mind won't be on the upcoming WC, or anything like that. He will be focused on getting the win from the first ball. It's just a question whether Ebdon has what it takes to do what O'Sullivan did in Germany.

[SnookerFan]

So, Maguire vs Ebdon in the final. Hard one to call.

A somewhat random thought has just occured to me. I remember when Peter Ebdon played Graeme Dott in the 2006 World Championship final. I was on the BBC website and they said most people at the start of this tournament wouldn't have picked this as the final. I remember thinking at the time that considering Ebdon had been winner 4 years earlier, and Dott runner up 2 years earlier, they were making out it was a bigger shock than it was.

But on reconsidering, I saw that they were probably correct. Most people wouldn't have predicted that to be the final. Same here. Before the tournament had started who would've guessed that Maguire or Ebdon would've made the final? Maguire maybe, as he just made the final in Germany, but not Ebdon who hasn't been on form that much recently.

I think this is what makes snooker so interesting. Two players in the final who have won several tournaments each, and I am surprised to see either of them in the final. Such strength in depth this sport has.

[FerruleFox]

I don't know how Ebdon keeps his concentration when he is over the ball feathering for so long.

It looks exhausting.

[FOXMULDER]

Wow, I'd almost forgotten that Ebdon still plays. What an amazing turnaround if he could win this event....

[Where's Willie?]

Well played Peter Ebdon.

If he wins tomorrow he'll be playing in the premier league next season.
Might be interesting with the shot clock...

[FerruleFox]

Well played Peter Ebdon.

If he wins tomorrow he'll be playing in the premier league next season.
Might be interesting with the shot clock...

LOL He'll use all his timeouts in his first break!

[montoya10]

Get ready to see a ponytail in Premier League in such case!
Realistically speaking, it will be fascinating if he still got bits of his old fast and furious style in his pocket.

[missneworleans]

Wow, I'd almost forgotten that Ebdon still plays. What an amazing turnaround if he could win this event....

Reminds me the same tournament 3 years ago. Peter Ebdon was playing awfully that season than came from nowhere and won it!

[missneworleans]

Well played Peter Ebdon.

If he wins tomorrow he'll be playing in the premier league next season.
Might be interesting with the shot clock...

Peter played in PL in 2003 and got to the semi-final

[Gerry Armstrong]

Mags is 2/5 for tomorrow's final, decent enough odds as he is a heavy favourite.

[Rane]

Peter played in PL in 2003 and got to the semi-final

Had the shotclock been invented at that time ? The first many years there were no shotclock, but I don´t remember when it was changed.

[Gerry Armstrong]

No shot clock in 2003.

[missneworleans]

No shot clock in 2003.

yep you are right
find this one on youtube: doesnt look too much faster than now, huh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m7_qaJmrjU

[Gerry Armstrong]

His legendary 12 break...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT_Uw...eature=related