World Championship 2009 [provisional discussion]

[choy]

I really wish ronnie could go on and win the WC. But to do so, I guess he really must get perfection out of his mind, and concentrate more on winning close frames. Because it is really very tough to be at top form for the entire championship league. Anyway, GO RONNIE!

[gettingbetter]

With all things considered - Ronnie's attitude towards the game, Hendry and Davis being the only players to defend their crown, the long nature of the WC etc etc, I think Ronnie does actually have an easy (or easier) route to the final. I think most people would agree that the top half of the draw is much easier than the bottom.

[Odrl]

I don't think O'Sullivan will have it as easy as last year. Ok, he had to beat Williams, Liang and Hendry, good players, but they suit O'Sullivan perfectly.

This year, he would have to play Selby or Higgins in the SF, maybe even Dott. And possibly Ebdon before that. Good players again, but also players that don't suit O'Sullivan at all.

[RocketRoy1983]

I wouldnt agree that Ebdons age goes against him certainly not this year anyway his very capable of winning a 2nd title.

[gettingbetter]

I don't think O'Sullivan will have it as easy as last year. Ok, he had to beat Williams, Liang and Hendry, good players, but they suit O'Sullivan perfectly.

This year, he would have to play Selby or Higgins in the SF, maybe even Dott. And possibly Ebdon before that. Good players again, but also players that don't suit O'Sullivan at all.

That is the thing though, on paper, he looks like as though he is a dead certainty to make it to the semis, while the other players will strugle more than him to reach that level.

[SGH]

Where i can find the order of play, the schedule?

[JanieWatkins]

Where i can find the order of play, the schedule?

http://www.global-snooker.com/profes...s-schedule.asp

[visionaire]

With all things considered - Ronnie's attitude towards the game, Hendry and Davis being the only players to defend their crown, the long nature of the WC etc etc, I think Ronnie does actually have an easy (or easier) route to the final. I think most people would agree that the top half of the draw is much easier than the bottom.

I actually wonder if the longer nature of the worlds will work for or against him. Ronnie has been known to get bored in the past in longer matches, he did great in the short matches in the 06 Grand Prix, and also does great in the more irregular Premier League. Anyways, hopefully the quality of matches will be just as great as last year!

Have seen a lot of footage from Ronnie in the mid-90s recently, if only he could catch that quick, fluent gear again

[Monique]

I really don't know why people think long matches don't suit Ronnie ... in 16 participations in the WC he reached at least the SF 8 times. Not exactly bad for someone who doesn't cope with "long matches" ... as a comparison John Higgins did it 5 times in 13 participations and Mazk Williams 4 times in 12 participations. Maybe an even more striking stat is that Hendry for his 7 titles reached the SF stage 12 times out of 23 participations (9 times out of the first 16) ... slightly better % than Ronnie but just.(*)

As for having an easy draw ... being in the same half as Higgins, Selby/Walden, and Ebdon is not my understanding of an "easy draw", not to mention Perry who beat him in Telford, Lee and Day.

There is no easy draw at the Crucible, but all things being relative I'd say the one with an easier draw is Maguire.

(*) for this particular stat of course. Stephen went one step further 9 times out of 12, Ronnie 3 times out of 8.

[João]

To be fair, every format suits Ronnie just fine.

[scoo24]

Ronnie 3 times out of 8.

.... which ended up in 3 titles so that's a 100% stat and which I find very admirable regardless of the opposition because anyone that makes the final is a worthy competitor & his first win was against John Higgins, whom people currently call his nemesis! Again, not bad for somone who "supposedly" doesn't like the long formats

PS: Nice post as always, Monique

[JiangYu]

So, I made a promise last week to meet up for study group on the 18th (yes on a Saturday) and I totally forgot about the World Championships starting that day. You must help me make an excuse!

[scoo24]

So, I made a promise last week to meet up for study group on the 18th (yes on a Saturday) and I totally forgot about the World Championships starting that day. You must help me make an excuse!

Just tell the group that you had forgotten that the WC will start on that day & it's one of the pleasures in life that you can't resist

They might give you the stick for forgetting though