UK Champ. 2009 - Semi-final Discussion

[ja.]

Friday 11 December 2009

1.30pm

SF1 – Ding Junhui v Stephen Maguire Ref: Terry Camilleri

7.00pm

SF1* – Ding Junhui v Stephen Maguire Ref: Terry Camilleri

Saturday 12 December 2009

1.00pm

SF2 – Ronnie O'Sullivan v John Higgins

7.00pm

SF2* – Ronnie O'Sullivan v John Higgins

[Odrl]

Looking forward to Maguire-Ding today...

Everyone is excited about the O'Sullivan-Higgins match tomorrow, but let's remember that it's only the SF. I agree with most that the winner of that one will be favourite for the final, but here we have two great players in their own right.

Maguire was my tip before the start of the tournament, but in a way, he now finds himself as a bit of an outsider in the semi-final. He got through his matches quietly, not playing his very best. He admits himself that his opponents didn't score particularly well against him, and that he will need to raise his game when he meets someone who does. I suspect today will be the day. He has a very good record against Ding, but he was thrashed in their last meeting at the Grand Prix. He has not been 2nd favourite for any tournament for a long time now, but he is still the world number two, and there's a reason for that. It means that for a period of time, in the not so distant past, he was the second best player in the world. So he needs to find the kind of form that got him there to have any chance of winning today, and especially on Sunday.

Ding has produced one of the best performances of the tournament so far in his thrashing of Shaun Murphy. Despite his record against Maguire, he should be a slight favourite here, mainly because of the form he's displayed this week. In his match against Carter, he's shown that his game can stand up to the pressure, and his scoring can match anyone's in this tournament. If there is a weakness, it's got to be his safety play. Maguire is pretty solid, but I wouldn't expect him to consistently put Ding under pressure with his tactical play, so Ding could survive today's match in that respect. But he'll need to improve a bit for the title.

I expect a very open game, and a lot of one-visit snooker. It could go close, 9-7ish either way, but if it's one-sided, I can see it being in Ding's favour.

Actually, it's already started as I type this... So enjoy!

[The Boss]

King 9-2 Hamilton
Wenbo 9-2 King
Higgins 9-2 Wenbo
(O'Sullivan 9-2 Higgins) (?)

[missneworleans]

King 9-2 Hamilton
Wenbo 9-2 King
Higgins 9-2 Wenbo
(O'Sullivan 9-2 Higgins) (?)

I thought about that too
but that's too mad

[ja.]

King 9-2 Hamilton
Wenbo 9-2 King
Higgins 9-2 Wenbo
(O'Sullivan 9-2 Higgins) (?)

maguire/ding 9-2 ronnie in the final???

[The Boss]

maguire/ding 9-2 ronnie in the final???

No, the final is first to 10. Maybe Maguire will reverse the score of 2007's final?

[ore]

King 9-2 Hamilton
Wenbo 9-2 King
Higgins 9-2 Wenbo
(O'Sullivan 9-2 Higgins) (?)

Ronnie - Stevens 9-3
Ronnie - Ebdon 9-3
Ronnie - Selby 9-3
Ronnie - Higgins 9-3
Ronnie - Ding 10-3

[ja.]

No, the final is first to 10. Maybe Maguire will reverse the score of 2007's final?

10-3 d'oh! well u got my point

[missneworleans]

Mags is about to take the first frame

[doorag]

ding gets one back, 1-1.

go ding!

[Odrl]

Not a great frame, both players played a number of bad shots.

But that was some fast scoring by Ding at the end. Seemed like 3 seconds a shot.

[spike]

Ding starting to look dangerous, plus the long pots seeming to be going in as well..

[missneworleans]

Good chance for Stephen to make it 2-2
come on Stephen!

[Odrl]

That's a very good response from Maguire, because Ding never looked like missing before he ran out of position.

[montoya10]

I'm finally home..

What a tiring day it was, and the only way to turn it around is watching some quality snooker

How has been the standard so far? And who looke stronger? Could you tell me your opinions?