2025 World Championships

[Cue crafty]

Yeah, a little sign of frustration there, not surprising really as he's been well off. Running out of road now, and it should really have been 9 - 6 to Ben but he keeps letting Selby back in, which you just can't do.

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He's still favourite in this match. Ben no really looking in command.

[PatBlock]

OMG this is so tense! 😬

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[GeordieDS]

I backed both Trump and Murphy to win this and after the first round I’m very happy as whoever wins between them WILL win now imo

[PatBlock]

Well done Ben. I like the way he threw down the gauntlet by opening that little pack of reds on the top cushion, forcing Mark into a long pot, which he missed. You'd think he'll need to play better in the nest round though. Cracking session from Higgins and Xiao as well. Perfect night of snooker for me, bit of everything.

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[trains]

Xiao looking very solid, got a feeling he'll out Duracell Higgins but you never know .

[GeordieDS]

Xiao looking very solid, got a feeling he'll out Duracell Higgins but you never know .

I hope so, the draw is opening up

[snookerfollower]

Jimmy White and Marco Fu given two year invitational tour cards for the next two seasons.

This is White's fifth straight two year invitational tour card nomination so his invitation will have spanned ten years, there should be a point somewhere where Jason Ferguson and Steve Dawson show some spine on White and pay allegiance to at least the idea of new blood, i think White's legend of the game status is a bit tired and overrated as well.

Don't get why Marco Fu gets one - he narrowly missed on the top 64 to retain his card, should have to go to Q School with everyone else who narrowly missed out on staying on tour.

Watching Jimmy these days is just sad. He should be encouraged to retire.

[cueman]

Selby's exit was a major shock for me. Really thought he'd go far this year and that top half has been where all the shocks have been. If Wakelin can beat Allen literally anyone in that half of the draw could reach the final. If ROS can find some consistency he'll never have a better chance of winning his 8th. However, it almost feels like the tournament is fixed if he does!

[JimMalone]

Honestly I didn't expect Selby's loss. Actually he was my pick to win the whole thing this year, as he seemed in better form this year again and then it's hard to pick against him. But I have hardly seen him playing that bad. The new tip surely is part of the reason, but can't be the only one.

[akofb]

Didn't Jimmy say on Hendry's Cue Tips that he's going to keep playing for 3 more years and if he doesn't win anything then he'll retire? I'm sure that's what he said.

[Billy]

Didn't Jimmy say on Hendry's Cue Tips that he's going to keep playing for 3 more years and if he doesn't win anything then he'll retire? I'm sure that's what he said.

It was something along those lines, yes.

[akofb]

Niche comment just for Billy

He should be more like Dave Cinzano Bianco Lister - Prince of the Planet Potters

[vmax]

Selby's exit was a major shock for me. Really thought he'd go far this year and that top half has been where all the shocks have been.

Selby goes out to a fellow Leicester player two seasons in a row, they know him well.

[JimMalone]

I backed both Trump and Murphy to win this and after the first round I’m very happy as whoever wins between them WILL win now imo

I don't know if they will, but they have certainly really good chances to get to the final and therefore obviously win the title. I think with the pockets as big as they seem there's a chance this might be the year we see a chinese champion in form of Zhao or Si.