The Welsh Open

[trains]

It's either going to be another O'Sullivan-Maguire or O'Sullivan-Selby, and both pairings have been very interesting in recent times. I'm sure O'Sullivan would prefer the former.

If Maguire plays as well as he did in the German final 12 days back I doubt O'S would be any more fearful of Selby.

[montoya10]

Yes, excellent decider. Murphy did so well early on, right from that initial double. If he'd just potted another red, it would have finished 15 minutes ago.

Allen played quite a few handy tactical shot towards the end. Unfortunately he'd left himself too much to do in the end. It's funny, Hendry refused to play on for any snookers against him, even though he would have had half a chance in two of the frames. I just can't understand that sort of unambitious behaviour at times.

Right, time for a short walk now, then back to the snooker in the evening.

Well, hasn't Hendry himself got robbed of in that second frame, after leaving Allen needing a snooker? I guess he just had a mental collapse and didn't give his head in to the match as he should have. Other than that, it's inexplicable that he didn't carry on, as tables were properly set to get ideal snookers for him.

On the other hand, Trump is using the hit-and-hope way too much for a top pro, so, it's safe to assume that he will have to work on his shot selection a bit, without completely shutting down the characteristics of his own game.

[montoya10]

If Maguire plays as well as he did in the German final 12 days back I doubt O'S would be any more fearful of Selby.

I think you may be right here. Ronnie's current game seems to be enough to shake off any challenge from a grinder like Selby, as he looks quite focused and patient, which makes him more difficult to beat.
I know Selby is scoring pretty heavily this season, but he hasn't been particularly good in the last couple of events or so.

Now, it's early days, I know. But World Championship 2012 is going to be amazing in terms of players that are capable of going all the way. Likes of Higgins, Williams, Selby, Robertson have slightly gone under radar lately, but they might hit back in the big one. One player that is also having a quiet season right now is Graeme Dott.
Murphy, Ding, Maguire, O'Sullivan started to gear up of late, but is it too soon to do so?
And likes of Lee, Stevens and Gould can take out any big name when they play as well as they can, therefore, need a mentioning.
Trump and Allen aren't fitting into any of these groups, but for sure, they're up there for the task.
Worlds is always wide open, I know, but seemingly, this season will be slightly filled with more contenders. Just guessing.

[cally]

Great couple of sessions of live action today.. Nice to have half decent seesions and not them stooopid best of 7's...

I know it's only 2 frames but waht a difference it makes eh...

Good stuff, well done ron....

Unlucky to mark allen, good match too...

[FOXMULDER]

Ronnie won! YYYYEEESSSS!

[Inoffthered]

Ronnie won! YYYYEEESSSS!

GTFI. Awesome.

[LittleMissAlexa]

the red button are showing the same as bbc2 no snooker as per usual

[Masterdoctorgenius]

ronnie said in his interview he doesnt wanna play selby. it would be painful
can understand him

COME ON MAGUIRE

[cally]

the red button are showing the same as bbc2 no snooker as per usual

Poor form as usual..

The semi's and final will be shown in full on the red button sat/sun tho.

Same as every year.

[LittleMissAlexa]

Poor form as usual..

The semi's and final will be shown in full on the red button sat/sun tho.

Same as every year.

not on freeview freeview doesnt even have the whole final from what ive seen

[cally]

No, it won't be on freeview. it says not available on freeview on the listings.

Crap eh...

[LittleMissAlexa]

people complain about eurosport i think bbc in a way are worse

[daffie]

ronnie said in his interview he doesnt wanna play selby. it would be painful
can understand him

Huh...why is Ronnie saying that?

Btw Maguire is playing very well...2-1 up now.

[LittleMissAlexa]

i want them to play they are the only two players i have left in the fantasy game

[Odrl]

I think you may be right here. Ronnie's current game seems to be enough to shake off any challenge from a grinder like Selby, as he looks quite focused and patient, which makes him more difficult to beat.
I know Selby is scoring pretty heavily this season, but he hasn't been particularly good in the last couple of events or so.

Well yes, O'Sullivan does appear to be going through a strong mental period, looking very determined to play well and get some wins. But... looking at who he has played in the last two events, has there ever been any "nonsense" from him against the likes of Maguire, Williams, Stevens, Trump? All of these are players who don't get involved in any mind games, and prefer to get on with things. Selby is the exact opposite. His matches can go scrappy even when he plays well, and he certainly doesn't have any problem taking matches in that direction when he feels it would suit him.

If you look at some of the matches O'Sullivan has lost to Selby in the past, he usually looked pretty good before the match started, and sometimes halfway into the match as well. Having said that, in all of those matches Selby was playing somewhere near his best as well, but I'm not sure he's quite there this week. It would be interesting to find out though.