Round one matches

[SnookerFan]

Looking forward to Judd Trump's match with Dominic Dale today. A bit of Dominic Dale fan, so I hope he can do well today.

[Rivers]

Well it`s first round concluding today so can already reflect on what I`ve seen so far. Some good stuff I would say. Loved the thrilling opening session of Day 1 with the deciders. John and Ding can be happy to still be here. Yesterday it was Milkins-Carter match. For most of the time the standart was poor to say the least of it. But you never knew when another mistake would creep out. I guess now that it`s over the only way for Ali is some improvement, cant see any lower than that.

A shame Steve couldn`t keep up with Ronnie, in the end just too many missed balls, but making to the venue was already positive.
Looking forward to Dale v Trump match, but unfortunately might only cath the end of it if Judd doesn`t just run away.
Walden-Lee also looks nicely set for a close finish I slighty favour ricky to take it, so we`ll see!

Format? I guess I would like the 17`s better, but it is as it is. Atleast the positive side is we can see all the matches.

[SnookerFan]

Today I'm going to watch Judd Trump vs Dominic Dale and Mark Williams vs Joe Jogia. Though, I had forgotten about Stephen Lee vs Ricky Walden. Sure to be a belter.

[montoya10]

I miss the best of 17 format, as well. Then again, the first round matches were in general somewhat fascinating even with the shortened game.

Looking forward to Walden v Lee encounter : )

[SnookerFan]

I tweeted the BBC about match shortening, saying I thought it took the prestige from the tournament away.

[Goldspark]

Interesting that Murphy described Li Yan as "the most naturally gifted player to have come out of China that I have seen". Sounds like a bit of a slight against Ding...

[DWOT]

Interesting that Murphy described Li Yan as "the most naturally gifted player to have come out of China that I have seen". Sounds like a bit of a slight against Ding...

Ding is like a robot, Li Yan is the Chinese Trump, so to speak!!!!

[montoya10]

Interesting that Murphy described Li Yan as "the most naturally gifted player to have come out of China that I have seen". Sounds like a bit of a slight against Ding...

Perhaps he sees Ding as more of a mechanical player that is more suited to glory than flamboyance?
I may be misinterpreting it, though.

[gavpowell]

Yeah, when I saw Ding at the UK for the first time a few years ago, everyone was saying he was the new Ronnie. As soon as I'd seen him play I said "That's not the new Ronnie. More likely he's the new Hendry" As it happens, he's been neither, really, just a pretty solid player but not the wunderkind that was touted. I thought Liang was looking a bit liken the new Ronnie but then he seemed to completely disappear off the radar after a couple of tournaments.

Thankfully, we;ve got Trump now, so the heir apparent has arrived

[SnookerFan]

Interesting that Murphy described Li Yan as "the most naturally gifted player to have come out of China that I have seen". Sounds like a bit of a slight against Ding...

It probably is, knowing Murphy.

[SnookerFan]

I'm really enjoying this Judd vs Dale match.

[Guy3103]

Saw Murphy playing yesterday and thats one beautiful cue his holding...

Anyone got some information about it?

[deant1982]

Saw Murphy playing yesterday and thats one beautiful cue his holding...

Anyone got some information about it?

Its an old Tom Newman 1370, quite heavily modified from what I remember. Rumour has it, it once belonged to "Count Dracula" Ray Reardon. Small tip, wide butt I think. Use the search (Top right corner) and I'm sure all the info is here somewhere. Alternatively, I'm sure ADR knows quite a bit about it, but wouldn't like to say for sure.

Hope this helps.

[Deepscrew]

Trump could be for an early bath here if he doesnt start banging in the long pots.

[cueman]

Trump could be for an early bath here if he doesnt start banging in the long pots.

Seems to have lost plot to me. I think the thing with Judd is, if he plays against a solid match player and he's being kept off the table his game seems to show signs of weakness.
At the moment he's trying to force the issue by taking on some ridiculous long pots and it just seems like its all his game is about. Why not play some tight safety, get Dale having to think about, because all he is doing right now is sticking Dale up in the balls and deserves to lose.