European Masters 2017

[PatBlock]

Few more days of quals to enjoy, Eurosport coverage as usual. Bit surprised Ronnie isn't in there, with 75,000 ranking pounds up for grabs.

http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=640

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[JimMalone]

Also the three top chinese players Ding, Liang and Fu are missing. But aside from them every top player takes part as far as I've seen.

[JimMalone]

Ken Doherty really seems to turn back the years a bit. Another great win for him, beating world number six Barry Hawkins by 4-3.

[DeanH]

Ken Doherty really seems to turn back the years a bit. Another great win for him, beating world number six Barry Hawkins by 4-3.

he does seem to be grasping his ITC with both hands and is playing some good stuff - good luck to him

[JimMalone]

he does seem to be grasping his ITC with both hands and is playing some good stuff - good luck to him

Yeah, especially considering the circumstances of his stay on the tour it's good to see that he rewards this offer with good results. Hopefully he can continue this way.

[JimMalone]

That picture of Yuan Sijun on worldsnooker - he looks like 12 years there...
He's one of the young guys whose results I'll be following closely this season. He leads Allan taylor 3-2 right now. Maybe he can finally make a main tournament for the first time this season.

[JimMalone]

Another defeat for Ricky Walden with a 3-4 to Alfie Burden.

[DeanH]

Another defeat for Ricky Walden with a 3-4 to Alfie Burden.

watched this one and Ricky did have chances - many unforced misses from Alfie - and was in the lead but did not finish it off, Alfie played well and I hope he can progress and make that next step up this season

[JimMalone]

watched this one and Ricky did have chances - many unforced misses from Alfie - and was in the lead but did not finish it off, Alfie played well and I hope he can progress and make that next step up this season

It's also funny by the way that both players will meet each other soon again, cause they are drawn in the first round of the India Open against each other.

Another notable upset happened today: Ali Carter, who also lost his qualifier at the India Open two days ago, fell 1-4 to Mei Xiwen.

[DeanH]

It's also funny by the way that both players will meet each other soon again, cause they are drawn in the first round of the India Open against each other.

Another notable upset happened today: Ali Carter, who also lost his qualifier at the India Open two days ago, fell 1-4 to Mei Xiwen.

Was watching the Carter-Mei match, Carter seemed to be getting himself all worked up, throwing his arms and cue into the air when missed the pot, etc. He seems to be doing the frustration gestures a lot recently.
Good win for Mei

[JimMalone]

Was watching the Carter-Mei match, Carter seemed to be getting himself all worked up, throwing his arms and cue into the air when missed the pot, etc. He seems to be doing the frustration gestures a lot recently.
Good win for Mei

Ali has a habit of this, hasn't he? Sometimes it seems to me like he thinks the whole world is against him. And lately he didn't have many convincing results.

The Chinese Players did pretty well in those qualifiers. Ten have qualified so far and five still have the chance, though I suggest that at least Niu Zhang and Li Yuan, who face John Higgins and Stephen Maguire respectively, will have a tough way to do so. And this is with their three top players Ding Junhui, Liang Wenbo and Hongkong Chinese Marco Fu not even present at this event.

[DeanH]

European Masters 2017

Is it me or has Murphy changed his feathers and pause? He now has only two main frames and a longer back pause.

[Miig]

Eurosport player stream ended in the middle of the Murphys game and now it says 'The program has ended' eventho Bet365 still has a stream? What the hell I'm paying for if I can't even see the **** they're filming.

[JimMalone]

Is it me or has Murphy changed his feathers and pause? He now has only two main frames and a longer back pause.

Haven't seen his match, but if he does so it did him no favour today, as he lost 2-4 to John Astley. Great result of course for the outsider.

[JimMalone]

though I suggest that at least Niu Zhang and Li Yuan, who face John Higgins and Stephen Maguire respectively, will have a tough way to do so.

But Li does it and beats Maguire on the black in the deciding frame. Another remarkable upset.