Betfred.com World Snooker Championship Q-Final Discussion

[snoopy2608]

Selby clearly felt the pressure - the close up of him as played the final pink in the final frame showed quite clearly how much his body was shaking with tension.

Thought it was a great game and full credit to Selby for coming back and Ding for holding his nerve.

One thing that gets me about the commentators is how often they talk about Ding's head dropping/him giving up when he's behind - which has been mainly based on one performance against Ronnie.

If you look at this season that trait is clearly behind him. In Shanghai beat Jin Long 5-4 from 4-1 down, in UK got back to 8-8 from 6-2 down against Allen, in Welsh Open beat Campbell 4-3 from 2-0 down and Allen 4-3 from 3-1 down, in China beat Maflin 5-4 from 4-1 down and Hendry 5-3 from 2-0 down.

On the basis of the above they shouldn't have been surprised by his fightback against Bingham and him coming through against Selby.

I think he's matured, he feels he belongs as one of the top 4 players, rather than trying to become one, his English has improved and he is making the odd joke (like Trump and girlfriends - which whether funny or not shows he's comfortable in his own skin)

So please commentators look at the facts and acknowledge that Ding has moved on rather than expect him to implode when he loses a couple of frames.

[cueman]

Selby is his own worst enemy. How many times have we seen him in matches like this get bogged down trying too hard not to lose instead of going for the win. He plays the most negative game I think I can remember any top 5 player ever. When he is under no pressure he can produce like he did against Hendry and is good to watch but as soon as someone puts him under it he goes into his shell and we see the real Selby and its full of weakness. Its like he gets bullied and he goes on the defensive which is a tactical game because its all he knows. I think he knows he can't produce under pressure so doesn't take on any risk to win.

The commentators mentioned it a few times as well, he keeps waiting for something to happen rather than making things happen. It would be a tragedy if he were to win a WC with his playing style, it would kill the sport, thank god for Trump and Ding, that will be a match to savour.

[João]

the fluke in the last frame from higgins was unreal

the saftey was horrible, was on the black

wouldnt it drop in ronnie could have made a break

You're not mentioning the countless flukes Ronnie had against Murphy. C'mon stop being bitter. It was obvious that Ronnie would lose against the first player who was not afraid of playing him... it's also obvious Ronnie does not have the game to beat Higgins anymore.

[The Rook]

the fluke in the last frame from higgins was unreal

the saftey was horrible, was on the black

wouldnt it drop in ronnie could have made a break

but now go williams

Let's not forget the poor run of the ball Higgins had in the afternoon when he managed to tie 8-8. Or that red Higgins unluckily knocked in from the pack when potting the blue which left Ronnie in amongst everything. The only difference is Ronnie failed to capitalise on his good fortune. The reason people remember the Higgins fluke was because it came in the winning frame and Higgins made it count. Higgins won pretty comfortably in the end.

[vmax4steve]

Conditions on the tables these days means that players like Ronnie cannot play their natural game, whereas plain ball strikers like Higgins thrive. Almost all the balls that Ronnie missed were played with side. It really annoyed me that all Doherty kept saying was "he must have flicked a bit of side on that one" when it was obvious that the shot was intentionally played with side but because of the nature of the balls and the cloth the side didn't react as it should have done. Have seen many shots that were missed played too thickly when using side which is what you're supposed to do to allow for the white to push out and come back on line. It's mystifying when this happens and you have done nothing wrong. I believe the balls are to blame for this for the same reasons why they kick so often, this phenolic resin doesn't have a uniform density and balls made from it are not fit for purpose.

[Giggity1984]

I love it when people think that one fluke wins a frame! Never mind the break that higgins made afterwards to win it! Fair play Higgins!

[João]

Selby's "toilet" break mid-frame was an absolute disgrace. How can a play whose game is 100% based on gamesmanship think that he can win a World Championship? Ding did well not to let it get to him.

[jrc750]

Selby's "toilet" break mid-frame was an absolute disgrace. How can a play whose game is 100% based on gamesmanship think that he can win a World Championship? Ding did well not to let it get to him.

Well if you got to go, you got to go

[Theguywithaplan]

Selby's "toilet" break mid-frame was an absolute disgrace. How can a play whose game is 100% based on gamesmanship think that he can win a World Championship? Ding did well not to let it get to him.

I like how you comment on it when selby does it but not when Jamie Burnett did it earlier on in the championship. I think it was burnett, not sure but definitely someone did.

Also if it were the other way round and ronnie got the fluke to win, we would never have heard the end of it from you. I agree ronnie doesnt truly have the game to best Higgins anymore, not over a long frame match anyway. The only match he's played anywhere near decent snooker this year was against Dominic Dale in the first round, everything else has been substandard. Can't see him playing well for a whole season again. Maybe if he truly dedicates himself but again, can't see that happening either.

[Billy]

Let's not forget the poor run of the ball Higgins had in the afternoon when he managed to tie 8-8. Or that red Higgins unluckily knocked in from the pack when potting the blue which left Ronnie in amongst everything. The only difference is Ronnie failed to capitalise on his good fortune. The reason people remember the Higgins fluke was because it came in the winning frame and Higgins made it count. Higgins won pretty comfortably in the end.

Let's not forget Higgins bores me senseless and I'd rather he didn't reach the final.

[renerex]

non, perso que cela reste ainsi

[stephenm2682]

Let's not forget Higgins bores me senseless and I'd rather he didn't reach the final.

indeed, when did we last see him play exhibition shots on the table? and talk about sportmanship, ronnie put him back in to play after the ref called freeball, so why try and pot the red? he could of played safe, it's like footballers who kick the ball into touch to hand the initiutive back, especially as ronnie could of tried the same thing as it was obvious higgins would try and pot a frame ball.

[Theguywithaplan]

indeed, when did we last see him play exhibition shots on the table? and talk about sportmanship, ronnie put him back in to play after the ref called freeball, so why try and pot the red? he could of played safe, it's like footballers who kick the ball into touch to hand the initiutive back, especially as ronnie could of tried the same thing as it was obvious higgins would try and pot a frame ball.

There was nothing wrong with that. Both players agreed it wasn't a free ball, then ronnie (foolishly) put john higgins back in when there was a shot to nothing on.

[breakman16]

Fantastic shot from Ding on the blue there!!!! COME ON DING this session!!!

[breakman16]

My brother just said "he's having a bad morning" meaning Trump! Gonna be a very interesting session this now!!!