Stephen Hendry V John Higgins

[breakman16]

All due respect, I don't see any comparison between Trump and Hendry.

By Trump's age Hendry had won 10 ranking events, a World Championship, 2 UK's, and got to World Number 1.

WOW I hadnt worked that out, so he was already as successful in terms of big tourneys, and more advanced in the game than the great Jimmy White would become in his career, what a phenom he was back in his prime! I'm a massive Phil Taylor fan too, (darts in general), he is the greatest winner in sport for decades, one of the most successful sportsmen to ever live, pro sport at elite play level really excites me, I've never seen snooker played to its absolute peak live before, even though I've been to the Crucible numerous times, would love to see a 147 or 4 centuries in one session, 3 or 4 in 6 frames from Ronnie or Selby's demolition last year where he got 6 and 3 or 4 in row or something!

[breakman16]

The problem for Hendry is that Higgins is phenomenal at coming from behind. I wouldn't be comfortable going into the final session even if I was 9-7 ahead.

I think Hendry needs to win tonights session 5-3.

couldnt possibly agree more, Higgins is VERY close to being the best from behind ever when he's not playing well, when his back is against the wall he seems to morph into an unbelievable scorer, and match player, he seems to make all the right shot selections, particularly here, this is FAR from over even at 9 7 Hendry, should it end up that score, I think!

[breakman16]

The problem for Hendry is that Higgins is phenomenal at coming from behind. I wouldn't be comfortable going into the final session even if I was 9-7 ahead.

I think Hendry needs to win tonights session 5-3.

Mind I did see Higgins and Selby quarter final, the one that went 8 all into my sssion, then 13 12 Higgins and he got 2 frame winning breaks from first chance at 11 12 down, loved seeing that, wanted him to win too, just KNEW he had the belief to win the tournament after that, knew I should have put money on the minute I walked through my front door!! lol

[cueman]

I just hope that after this performance from Hendry that its the last we hear about people blaming his cue for his form. He's had this cue a while now and it shows that his game is still there, the difference is he's here as a qualifier and so isn't feeling the pressure or expectation on himself. He's never been in this position before since he first started out as a pro, he's in unchartered territory and is obviously a dangerous opponent again.

Another factor is he's probably got Higgins at the best time possible. Its the first season in years that Higgins hasn't won a tournament coming to the WC and his game is definitely below the normal level we expect from him. Higgins looks vulnerable, even when he's in the balls I still expect him to miss and I get the feeling he isn't totally confident out there. Maybe as the match goes into the second session the pressure will come back onto Hendry as it did in the 2nd session against Bingham. For me though this match is Hendry's to throw away because Higgins has not looked anything like his normal self.

[Odrl]

What a shame I missed the second half of the session, sounds like it was a good one. Looking forward to tonight though.

34 centuries so far in tournament. Don't think the record will be broken with the likes of Ding, Allen, Selby, Murphy all out first round (despite there being other prolific breakbuilders still in the mix). Expect the final tally to be in the high 60s

I agree. It seems like everyone can make a couple of centuries these days, even the likes of Jones or Higginson, but with a couple of big scorers out in the 1st round, surely it's not going to be enough.

I actually prefer to compare it to last year's number, 74, because 2009's record was achieved on extremely generous tables. It's unlikely to be broken in the near future in my opinion.

[breakman16]

I just hope that after this performance from Hendry that its the last we hear about people blaming his cue for his form. He's had this cue a while now and it shows that his game is still there, the difference is he's here as a qualifier and so isn't feeling the pressure or expectation on himself. He's never been in this position before since he first started out as a pro, he's in unchartered territory and is obviously a dangerous opponent again.

Another factor is he's probably got Higgins at the best time possible. Its the first season in years that Higgins hasn't won a tournament coming to the WC and his game is definitely below the normal level we expect from him. Higgins looks vulnerable, even when he's in the balls I still expect him to miss and I get the feeling he isn't totally confident out there. Maybe as the match goes into the second session the pressure will come back onto Hendry as it did in the 2nd session against Bingham. For me though this match is Hendry's to throw away because Higgins has not looked anything like his normal self.

Great post, unless Higgins changes or can take a couple of chances when Hendry misses a couple of tricky balls, then, when it's a level match, I'd always fancy Higgins, it certainly makes it a load more interesting tonight now!

[breakman16]

I actually prefer to compare it to last year's number, 74, because 2009's record was achieved on extremely generous tables. It's unlikely to be broken in the near future in my opinion.

They were very generous, even Hendry's max in that tourney 3 or 4 of the balls went in my mere fractions of inches after hitting the jaws multiple times, including the final black, his max this year was better!

[breakman16]

Just to make a point I would say that all players in the tourney can score very well and make a couple of centuries, where the established pros come good is the matchplay, producing under pressure consistently, shot selection and safety play, all put together it gets nearly all of them through at this point onwards

[FOXMULDER]

I just hope that after this performance from Hendry that its the last we hear about people blaming his cue for his form. He's had this cue a while now and it shows that his game is still there, the difference is he's here as a qualifier and so isn't feeling the pressure or expectation on himself. He's never been in this position before since he first started out as a pro, he's in unchartered territory and is obviously a dangerous opponent again.

I agree somewhat, and if it was any other player I'd agree entirely. But I don't think Stephen Hendry thinks like that.

Hendry never thinks like he's got nothing to lose, and he ALWAYS puts pressure on himself. He would not have considered himself second-favourite against Bingham, and it showed in the way he bullied him from the start. Even though he is a qualifier I doubt he thinks like one.

Don't doubt it for a second - he will believe he's got a chance to win this event (even if he plays it down in interviews).

[PatBlock]

You've got more chance of getting a fluke, or covering everything up, if you play the reckless, wild shots Trump plays.

Well that's an explanation I can understand, I don't agree with it, but it makes more sense than putting the behavior of the balls down to a players aura or their celebrity playboy image.

I don't go along with it because you've got just as much chance of going in-off, opening everything up, or inadvertently potting the wrong ball. And, if it were true, wouldn't it imply that reckless players should be more successful?
Sorry, but that doesn't make sense to me at all.

I'm not the first to suggest this, as I said one of the BBC pundits said the same thing this week.

Fine, but it's still just conjecture. As I said before, it's a difficult thing to prove or measure, so although I have nothing but the utmost respect for Steve Davis, it's not automatic that he's right in this case.

Until someone can prove otherwise to me, I think it's sensible to go with the logical conclusion that the random behavior of the balls, after missed reckless shots, evens itself out over time, regardless of who the player is.

So it looks like we're in the 'agree to disagree' zone, but it's an interesting topic, and I'm sorry if my badgering has annoyed you, I just wanted to get to the root of your original statement. No hard feelings I hope.

-

[FOXMULDER]

No hard feelings? Haha, don't be silly. Nothing wrong with a healthy debate.

Still not sure about comparing Judd to Hendry, though. I've always seen him more like a young Jimmy White.

[PatBlock]

No hard feelings? Haha, don't be silly. Nothing wrong with a healthy debate.

That's great.

Still not sure about comparing Judd to Hendry, though. I've always seen him more like a young Jimmy White.

Now there we do agree.

-

[breakman16]

I agree somewhat, and if it was any other player I'd agree entirely. But I don't think Stephen Hendry thinks like that.

Hendry never thinks like he's got nothing to lose, and he ALWAYS puts pressure on himself. He would not have considered himself second-favourite against Bingham, and it showed in the way he bullied him from the start. Even though he is a qualifier I doubt he thinks like one.

Don't doubt it for a second - he will believe he's got a chance to win this event (even if he plays it down in interviews).

Hasnt he said before that if he ever went into an event knowing that whatever he did, however he prepared or played, he couldnt win it, then he would retire? You dont always have to "do an Ali" and tell everyone you're incredible and gonna win and no one can stop you, all you need is like Hendry as always done, massive self belief and the desire to win the moment you step into the arena, prepare properly have self belief and a desire to win and the greatest sportsmen of all time are proof that almost anything is possible!

[breakman16]

No hard feelings? Haha, don't be silly. Nothing wrong with a healthy debate.

Still not sure about comparing Judd to Hendry, though. I've always seen him more like a young Jimmy White.

exactly, the more reckless players need a lot more talent and mercurial qualities, ie White and O'Sullivan, people like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Ray Reardon, the more thoughtful, technique, repetition and people who are more able to adapt their games over time and the state of the match are always going to be more successful, at any sport

[breakman16]

Get Hendry vs Higgins on tonight, COME ON HENDRY!! All together now. . . STEEE-PHEN, clapclapclap, STEEE-PHEN clapclapclap, STEEE-PHEN clapclapclap lol