2023 Welsh Open

[Cue crafty]

Forgot Mertens uses a laminated cue. I think a member on here had one and loved it but it started to de-laminate! 😳

Anyway, no concerns for him wearing it out after tonight's performance. I liked what McManus spotted re Mertens temperament, way to much head shaking going on.

[fkhan]

Table 3 looks slower compared to the TV table.

[DeanH]

First time I've seen Mertons, wow! how tall is he ? Wonder how long his cue is, must be way over standard.

He must have had a growth spurt as last time I saw him he was not that tall at all

[fkhan]

Tian Pengfei has the most vintage looking cue shaft on tour I think. I love it.

[Starsky]

Tian Pengfei has the most vintage looking cue shaft on tour I think. I love it.

I agree it looks lovely , just like an like an old billiard cue .

[Cue crafty]

I agree it looks lovely , just like an like an old billiard cue .

Yan Bingtaos cue looked like that, maybe he's open to offers on it now? 😜

[DeanH]

Oh no!
no chocolate orange on Shaun's table! - does not bode well!

[fkhan]

Ronnie is one frame away from losing in two ranking QF's this season, both against Chinese opponents. Might be 2 whitewashes too.

[vmax]

5-0 so Ronnie bites his tip off once again, now it's time for a new ferrule as the one on the cue is cone shaped to such an extent that the tip itself must be about 8.5mm. Titanium is hard enough to stop that happening again but will he go for it and start a titanium ferrule stampede or stick to good old brass, something he's familiar with.

[Nifty50]

Might be my imagination but over the years Ronnie seems to have more tip issues than anyone else. Time to get shot of Les Dodd? Mind you it was Paul Collier put a couple on and they popped off.

[fkhan]

5-0 so Ronnie bites his tip off once again, now it's time for a new ferrule as the one on the cue is cone shaped to such an extent that the tip itself must be about 8.5mm. Titanium is hard enough to stop that happening again but will he go for it and start a titanium ferrule stampede or stick to good old brass, something he's familiar with.

He will stick with Brass I reckon.

[Starsky]

5-0 so Ronnie bites his tip off once again, now it's time for a new ferrule as the one on the cue is cone shaped to such an extent that the tip itself must be about 8.5mm. Titanium is hard enough to stop that happening again but will he go for it and start a titanium ferrule stampede or stick to good old brass, something he's familiar with.

The fact that he still uses Triangle chalk makes me think that he will stick to the old skool brass. He doesn’t seem to be that bothered about new innovations within the game .
I wouldn’t be surprised if he still practices with crystallite balls …😉

[fkhan]

That ferrule looks horrible. I did not know it was in such shape when Paul changed/fit the tip thrice.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...ibextid=Nif5oz

[Starsky]

The ferrule looks crap and thinner at top end due to sanding but that still shouldn’t cause the tip to come off 🤷♂️

[cueman]

I reckon O'Sullivan will be changing cue soon. He's been off form for a while now and I wonder if this cue has just had it. He's had this one for a fairly long time now and given he's got nothing to prove in the game, he might decide now is the time to try another one.

Cues do lose their strength and for all we know the wood below the ferrule could be a little brittle. If he's lost confidence in it and if it does require surgery, he's better off changing. Also, could just help to refocus and give him a fresh challenge by using a new cue.