World Snooker Championships Discussion

[Looki]

Or how about the worst no.1 in the game. Since rankings were introduced he is the only no.1 never to win a world title, says it all really.
I discount Trump because its only because the rankings are done on a rolling basis its unfair to class him as no.1 until he finishes the season as no.1 which every other player that has reached the top has done so being world champion.

Isn't Trump the worst no. 1 ever, he kept it what like a month?

[brusque]

Or how about the worst no.1 in the game. Since rankings were introduced he is the only no.1 never to win a world title, says it all really.
I discount Trump because its only because the rankings are done on a rolling basis its unfair to class him as no.1 until he finishes the season as no.1 which every other player that has reached the top has done so being world champion.

I'd call him pretty much the best world number 1 ... among all this talent where multiple world champions fall in first round, it does take some consistency to stay at the top .... I have followed him closely over the years .... on his day he can crush the likes of Ronnie .... and not just by safety .... and mind you I am a massive Ronnie fan. Let's calla spade a spade ... the guy has immense talent and mental strength.

[jonnylovessn8ker]

I'd call him pretty much the best world number 1 ... among all this talent where multiple world champions fall in first round, it does take some consistency to stay at the top .... I have followed him closely over the years .... on his day he can crush the likes of Ronnie .... and not just by safety .... and mind you I am a massive Ronnie fan. Let's calla spade a spade ... the guy has immense talent and mental strength.

sounds like a load of crap to me.

[cueman]

Isn't Trump the worst no. 1 ever, he kept it what like a month?

No its the system that is at fault, having rankings change every other tournament when there is one every single week, its getting a bit silly.

[Achamian]

Well, it's quite possible that Judd may be number 1 again after this tournament, seeing as Judd is number 3 and numbers I & 2 are both out.

[CueInAction]

Or how about the worst no.1 in the game. Since rankings were introduced he is the only no.1 never to win a world title, says it all really.
I discount Trump because its only because the rankings are done on a rolling basis its unfair to class him as no.1 until he finishes the season as no.1 which every other player that has reached the top has done so being world champion.

Worst number 1? Maybe!! But the World Champion analogy doesn't really add up...we are looking at the most competitive era in snooker, where it wouldn't be any shock for any of the top 16 to win the tournament. Trump has been #1 but never won the World Championship (although it'd be a fool to deny his talent). In Selby's favour is his consistency whilst playing in this competitive era, his strike rate for getting to the latter stages of tournaments is bettered by no other player currently.

[Odrl]

should just graciously concede the match but this is Selby who has to have the last say. HAHA its over, couldn't even play that shot right.

It was the last frame of a World Championship match. He needed four snookers with a red still on the table. I wouldn't have conceded in that position in a million years. :wink:

Well played Hawkins, I think he has officially become Selby's bogey player now, three big wins in the last 12 months. He was the better player for the majority of the match, it was only that good early push that kept Selby close. Once again, a consistently strong player throughout the season runs out of steam when it matters the most, just like Robertson did earlier in the week. :wink:

It will be interesting to see how this half plays out now... We had Robertson, Maguire and Williams in one quarter, all gone now. And we were expecting a showdown between Ding, Selby and Allen in the other quarter, and none of them will play each other now. Can Ding take advantage? He is by far the biggest name remaining in the entire half now. Although Hawkins and Walden have both won major ranking events this season of course. :smile:

[CueInAction]

No its the system that is at fault, having rankings change every other tournament when there is one every single week, its getting a bit silly.

To be honest the old system of a year end #1 is a much better method. Changing the rankings after every tournament has devalued the prestige of being crowned #1

[the_unrepentant]

It was the last frame of a World Championship match. He needed four snookers with a red still on the table. I wouldn't have conceded in that position in a million years. :wink:

Well played Hawkins, I think he has officially become Selby's bogey player now, three big wins in the last 12 months. He was the better player for the majority of the match, it was only that good early push that kept Selby close. Once again, a consistently strong player throughout the season runs out of steam when it matters the most, just like Robertson did earlier in the week. :wink:

It will be interesting to see how this half plays out now... We had Robertson, Maguire and Williams in one quarter, all gone now. And we were expecting a showdown between Ding, Selby and Allen in the other quarter, and none of them will play each other now. Can Ding take advantage? He is by far the biggest name remaining in the entire half now. Although Hawkins and Walden have both won major ranking events this season of course. :smile:

I must admit, I fancied Selby for the title but not surprised by this result. I'm for Bingham now as I think he would be hard for any remaining player to beat.

[CueInAction]

Well, it's quite possible that Judd may be number 1 again after this tournament, seeing as Judd is number 3 and numbers I & 2 are both out.

Judd got to the final 2 years ago so he has a lot of ranking points to replace so obviously needs a good run here to take #1

[PatBlock]

heartbreak ... .... sad to see Selby lose especially considering how few actually recognize his immense talent and the fact that few weeks back he was playing like a playstation

Yes great shame, but he was all over the place so congrats to Barry. And that's my ideal final (Selby v Osullivan) scuppered Sorry for the bum tip Odrl, hope you didn't put too much on it.

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[brusque]

would have loved a Selby Ronnie final ... would have been great to watch ... I do not think there is anyone left who could beat Ronnie ... so this has gotten a bit boring for me .. only Trump has a chance provided his flukes don't dessert him at a crucial stage

After Ronnie ... who can be inconsistent ... I'd back Mark Davis to go all the way ... if he can keep up the standard he showed against Higgins ... I do not see anyone stopping him ... let's see

[Odrl]

Yes great shame, but he was all over the place so congrats to Barry. And that's my ideal final (Selby v Osullivan) scuppered Sorry for the bum tip Odrl, hope you didn't put too much on it.

O'Sullivan against Ding would do just as well. :smile: Although if I was to call it at this point of the tournament, I think Trump is the man to beat in the top half...

[gem]

No its the system that is at fault, having rankings change every other tournament when there is one every single week, its getting a bit silly.

The reason no-one keeps the #1 ranking just now is that the standard at the top is pretty poor.
look at the level of snooker from the top guys in this years event. There is just not the same level of player there used to be.
Much more of a level playing field with the overall level of player being decent due to the amount of events played giving players a chance to reach a level where they can compete with most.

I don't know why the top players just can't seem to show any consistent form but it has certainly went down a good bit in the last few years.

If anyone reaches #1 then they deserve the title regardless of winning the WC.

[montoya10]

If Ding can capitalize on the number of upsets and take the crown this year, he can finally get to be released of the immense pressure he has had on his shoulders for nearly a decade from now.
So, I'm kind of cheering for him.

If Ronnie, of course, wins it all, it'll be memorable no matter what he has to defeat on his way to the title. This is a sport of momentum we are talking about and someone who hasn't had matchplay snooker for months winning the biggest tournament of the season in return would be a tremendous success at any case.

Kind of looking forward to how young MW will deal with QF pressure. If he keeps up the demeanor he has shown so far, I really don't see any reason to count him out in this chaotic lineup.