Ssb - ronnie o'sullivan wins ptc1

[Odrl]

Didnt think it was off tbf,other sessions of note the first v O'S in the UK 09 sf,run of the ball or not you can hardly play better tbf.

I think Higgins played pretty well in that session, but it was O'Sullivan's mistakes that made it so one sided. I had a quick look through the old thread where the match was discussed, just to make sure there is nothing wrong with my memory, and here is what I said immediately after the session:

Yes, O'Sullivan had only himself to blame at 1-6 down. Higgins only won one frame in one visit. He gave O'Sullivan a chance in every other frame, and quite a good chance usually. But in the end, O'Sullivan can be happy it's 6-2 and not 7-1.

Comeback? If O'Sullivan plays his best, it's entirely possible against a solid but not brilliant Higgins. But let's be honest, if Higgins raises his game a little, he's not going to lose from 6-2 up.

I don't think that particular session is anywhere near the best Higgins has played, but I do agree he's had sessions pretty close to perfect snooker.

Having said that, there is no such thing as "unplayable". If your opponent plays one-visit snooker, you have every chance of doing the same, since there is nothing he can do from his chair. And when he gets you in trouble with a good safety, you just have to play a good shot in reply. The 2006 Masters final is a great example of a match like that. Both players played snooker that could have been described as unplayable, except that it wasn't, because they were both up for it. The 2009 WC quarter-final between Higgins and Selby is another example.

I suppose what would be almost unplayable is someone going for low-percentage long pots, getting most of them, and winning frames in one visit. But that's never really been the type of snooker either O'Sullivan or Higgins have played.

[trains]

Having said that, there is no such thing as "unplayable"..

Yep personally I've never took any notice of that saying either. I taped the Higgins O'S 98 sf but it was pre digital so I only got the first 4 frames and missed Higgins going 12-4,would have been interesting at least

[armstm]

"when on form he is unplayable" - very subjective term which doesn't really mean anything and could be said for many players.

They are very very close to each other. Always have been. This is how I see them.

Ronnie's edge over John:
- break building (John very close)
- cue ball control (again John very close)
- developing reds, breaking clusters (nobody touches him here)
- a bit smoother cue action; seems like his arm never gets stiff, never ever snatches even under pressure and adrenaline rush and gets unbelievable action on the cueball with such little effort at all times
- his left hand isn't as good as right, but can reduce usage of rest


John's edge over Ronnie:
- mental department, fighting qualities (coming from behind etc), sits out centuries without any problem
- long pots
- safeties, laying snookers
- rest play (Ronnie's good with it too)
- escaping from snookers (extremely important part of the game)
- doubles (overlooked part of the game)

What do you think? Have I missed something?

that's a great summary!

[armstm]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wq9LCbSxM4

this is an example of the 99 beating the 95-97

ronnie was untouchable like this.

[leelee]

"when on form he is unplayable" - very subjective term which doesn't really mean anything and could be said for many players.

They are very very close to each other. Always have been. This is how I see them.

Ronnie's edge over John:
- break building (John very close)
- cue ball control (again John very close)
- developing reds, breaking clusters (nobody touches him here)
- a bit smoother cue action; seems like his arm never gets stiff, never ever snatches even under pressure and adrenaline rush and gets unbelievable action on the cueball with such little effort at all times
- his left hand isn't as good as right, but can reduce usage of rest


John's edge over Ronnie:
- mental department, fighting qualities (coming from behind etc), sits out centuries without any problem
- long pots
- safeties, laying snookers
- rest play (Ronnie's good with it too)
- escaping from snookers (extremely important part of the game)
- doubles (overlooked part of the game)

What do you think? Have I missed something?

to be fair ive seen ronnie escape from some damn good snookers and he can lay some crackers also, so nearly matched there i think.