2013 Masters discussion

[SouthPaw]

I'd prefer Allen to win as he's the player i'd tune into first over any other, but i don't mind Neil as he's my lucky dip pick

[daffie]

Ditto! Just finished my last job of the week, so hopefully no more interruptions. I hardly got to watch any of yesterday's matches but I'm going to be glued to this till Sunday night now, as you say, bring it on!

And what a match to start with! Would quite like Allen to win this one, I know you're not too keen on him Daffie, and I can understand why, but I think he just "comes across a bit wrong" sometimes. I liked the way he reacted to the rest incident, definitely warmed to him there. But like you, I do think he should let his cue do the talking, rather than his gob.

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Hi Pat,

Good to hear you're good to go now and can enjoy some (all) of the matches from now on The Allen - Robertson match is really good so far, don't you think? But tonight's match is the real one I am looking forward to...two of my most favorite players to watch.

Btw I agree on your comments regarding Mark Allen. I also do think / feel he sometimes comes across a bit wrong. I tend to think a bit along the same lines about Trump as well. Maybe a bit of peer-pressure in his case also. As you say...let your cue do the talking and you'll be fine Have to LOL each time I see the rest incident...it's hilarious. Also I was very impressed by Judd's after-match interview with Hazel and the boys back in the studio. He came across as more mature and with a positive attitude to matchplay in general. His first-round defeat in the UK, because of his willingness to always please the crowd instead of making to sure to win the match first, has made a big impression on him...and he seems the better for it. So very nice to see that he seems to be maturing. Good stuff.

Enjoy the matches! :snooker:

[poona]

Yeah me too. Higgins is a class act, gonna be a treat hopefully!

Anyone else noticing the players getting real twitchy with nerves in this tournament?! Seems to have a real tense feel to this tourney. Great to see for the sport!

[PatBlock]

2 wonderful matches in prospect today...Neil Robertson vs Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy vs John Higgins. If these 2 matches live up to expectations, then it will be a great snooker day. With it snowing outside and nice&warm inside, I'm really glad to have 2 days off from work to fully enjoy these matches...bring it on!

Ditto! Just finished my last job of the week, so hopefully no more interruptions. I hardly got to watch any of yesterday's matches but I'm going to be glued to this till Sunday night now, as you say, bring it on!

And what a match to start with! Would quite like Allen to win this one, I know you're not too keen on him Daffie, and I can understand why, but I think he just "comes across a bit wrong" sometimes. I liked the way he reacted to the rest incident, definitely warmed to him there. But like you, I do think he should let his cue do the talking, rather than his gob.

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[thebranstonman]

Seeing really quality snooker from Allen this afternoon, Robertson has been a bit shakey but I think we are in for a really good afternoon of snooker.

Really looking forward to tonight's match as well. Personally I think Murphy might go all the way.

Thebranstonman

[poona]

nice 138 from Allen

[poona]

Allen Robertson match is good

[MasterBreak147]

Love or hate them, i am just happy we still are able to watch some quality fight backs or melt downs nevertheless good tv for me

[daffie]

2 wonderful matches in prospect today...Neil Robertson vs Mark Allen and Shaun Murphy vs John Higgins. If these 2 matches live up to expectations, then it will be a great snooker day. With it snowing outside and nice&warm inside, I'm really glad to have 2 days off from work to fully enjoy these matches...bring it on!

[daffie]

Bingham has thrown this match away. Once again Selby has come out of a match as the winner despite being the weaker player, he has certainly got a good streak of luck about him right now, hard to see anyone stopping him.

I respectfully disagree Ok Bingham threw the match away, but Selby needed to take advantage and keep focused and concentrate fully on each and every shot to win 5 frames in a row...with his back to the wall as well. No option to falter anymore. Very few players are capable of doing this. It takes a player with exceptional battling qualities and willingness to win. That's a special quality all by itself, regardless of how bad a performance the player has put in in earlier frames. Therefore imo Selby has been the better player to come through in the manner that he did. The likes of Stephen Hendry and John Higgins come to mind immediately and I place those 2 in the Top 5 all-time. .

[cueman]

How was he the weaker player coming back from 5-1 down? People should give the credit where its due even if they don't like somebody. He didn't give Stuart many chances after the 6th frame and those that Stuart had he couldn't take, so he was the weaker player. He'd be first to admit that.

Because had Bingham taken one of the numerous chances he had in the last 5 frames he would have won. Selby had nothing to lose at 5-1 down, he just had a go and was fortunate that Bingham bottled his chances. Perhaps weak isn't the right definition but lets just say the better player lost. Selby couldn't compete with Bingham in any department earlier in the match, safety, long potting, break building etc. It needed Bingham to completely collapse in order for Selby to win, that was nothing to do with how Selby played, Bingham bottled it pure and simple.

[SouthPaw]

How was he the weaker player coming back from 5-1 down? People should give the credit where its due even if they don't like somebody. He didn't give Stuart many chances after the 6th frame and those that Stuart had he couldn't take, so he was the weaker player. He'd be first to admit that.

I agree with cueman, I think it's the same as Hawkins, Judd and Selby should be out but their opponents crumbled under pressure and gifted them their comebacks imo, Stuart was left in the balls first in the last couple of frames(maybe even the last three) and missed easy reds, though I do give some credit to Selby as he still had to pot the balls...

[shmeeko69]

I'm not not a Mark Selby fan, but credit where credit's due. He has great spirit and after his latest fightback he can go on and win the Masters (Although I hope not).

[Looki]

Bingham has thrown this match away. Once again Selby has come out of a match as the winner despite being the weaker player, he has certainly got a good streak of luck about him right now, hard to see anyone stopping him.

How was he the weaker player coming back from 5-1 down? People should give the credit where its due even if they don't like somebody. He didn't give Stuart many chances after the 6th frame and those that Stuart had he couldn't take, so he was the weaker player. He'd be first to admit that.

[cebs]

Missed the afternoon match but when Selby was 5-1 I had a strong feeling he would do, he just seems to kick in hard at certain points and produce whats needed, fair play to him last night he didn't grind it out too much. In the last frame when Bingham was in halfway I just knew he would give Selby another chance but I thought he'd get the red in the middle.

In regards to the guard at the end he is a bit harsh imo dragging the players away, Murphy stood his ground the other day and told him no mate it's not on you cannot walk away if people are stood waiting. Credit to Murphy for that, they call him a class act on and off the bay and he showed it again then. Selby also told people he would do it later so that was nice.

Good match this afternoon but i'll have to stay up late to watch the repeat.