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Ssb - ronnie v jimmy
Time was when Ronnie O'Sullivan v Jimmy White would set the pulses racing.
It still appeals but on current form is a mismatch, even over the best of five frames.
White has only beaten O'Sullivan once in a ranking event and not at all for five years.
He was edgy against Paul Davison whereas O'Sullivan produced the good, the bad and the ugly during his 3-0 dismissal of Mark King.
Ronnie greatly respects Jimmy. For this reason I expect he will treat him and the match will all due reverence and come through the winner.
They are two great crowd favourites but will they draw a crowd? If they can't nobody can.
Marco Fu and Andrew Higginson have had the longest wait of all, making their bows on day six of nine.
Higginson has two wins over Fu under his belt, both at Newport. Fu won the 2007 Grand Prix when it was played under the short form round robin format and was also winner of last season's Championship League, which was best of fives. Perhaps this is an omen.
The last 16 starts with Ding Junhui against Marcus Campbell, a great fighter but a player who rarely produces his best on television.
Tonight, Peter Ebdon will look to bring his vast experience to the fore against Liu Song, who is only in the tournament because of John Higgins's suspension.
Yesterday I heard some BBC commentary by Stephen Hendry. Not all great sportsmen make great analysts but I thought Hendry was excellent: clear, direct and only speaking when he had something to add.
His willingness to tell it how it is was refreshing and although he would like to remain a top player a little while longer, he will be a much valued member of the TV team for years to come if he wants to follow a career in the media.
After all, who is going to argue with what he says?
More...
It still appeals but on current form is a mismatch, even over the best of five frames.
White has only beaten O'Sullivan once in a ranking event and not at all for five years.
He was edgy against Paul Davison whereas O'Sullivan produced the good, the bad and the ugly during his 3-0 dismissal of Mark King.
Ronnie greatly respects Jimmy. For this reason I expect he will treat him and the match will all due reverence and come through the winner.
They are two great crowd favourites but will they draw a crowd? If they can't nobody can.
Marco Fu and Andrew Higginson have had the longest wait of all, making their bows on day six of nine.
Higginson has two wins over Fu under his belt, both at Newport. Fu won the 2007 Grand Prix when it was played under the short form round robin format and was also winner of last season's Championship League, which was best of fives. Perhaps this is an omen.
The last 16 starts with Ding Junhui against Marcus Campbell, a great fighter but a player who rarely produces his best on television.
Tonight, Peter Ebdon will look to bring his vast experience to the fore against Liu Song, who is only in the tournament because of John Higgins's suspension.
Yesterday I heard some BBC commentary by Stephen Hendry. Not all great sportsmen make great analysts but I thought Hendry was excellent: clear, direct and only speaking when he had something to add.
His willingness to tell it how it is was refreshing and although he would like to remain a top player a little while longer, he will be a much valued member of the TV team for years to come if he wants to follow a career in the media.
After all, who is going to argue with what he says?
More...
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