2025 World Championships

[PatBlock]

It's looking good for John...so far. 👍

Oh no daffie, you've gone and done it now... Not that I have anything against Joe, be happy to see either of them win it.

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[PatBlock]

Yeah, if John also finds his break-building now - it took him until the 12th frame to make his first 50-break - it will be a more than tough way back for O'Connor. I think if Higgins wins the 13th frame as well, it's all over.

Yeah, this 13th frame is massive. Good point about the first 50.

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[Billy]

Decided to watch that episode of Pot Black from 1983 on BBCi Player Seema just mentioned. And they say the modern game is far more aggressive than it used to be. Nonsense! Mind you it was White Vs Higgins, but still!

[JimMalone]

Well if the first few frames of tonight's session are anything to go by, Joe's going to have to scrape him off the table. Those long pots John's knocking in will certainly give Joe something to think about.

EDIT: Not to mention the break-building as well.

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Yeah, if John also finds his break-building now - it took him until the 12th frame to make his first 50-break - it will be a more than tough way back for O'Connor. I think if Higgins wins the 13th frame as well, it's all over.

[daffie]

It's looking good for John...so far. 👍

[PatBlock]

John Higgins hasn't lost in the first round of the World Championship since 2014. It will be interesting if he can avoid it this year.

Well if the first few frames of tonight's session are anything to go by, Joe's going to have to scrape him off the table. Those long pots John's knocking in will certainly give Joe something to think about.

EDIT: Not to mention the break-building as well.

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[Cue crafty]

Joe O’Connor’s a vain one. He spends the whole time in his seat watching himself on the TV monitors

Well, Irish/Italian descent! Know anyone else like that? 😉

[Billy]

Joe O’Connor’s a vain one. He spends the whole time in his seat watching himself on the TV monitors

[Cue crafty]

Some posted a picture of Coventry Brian in the snooker reddit sub-forum so he's been about for at least some of the tournament. I don't know any of the other regulars but good to see him there.

Hopefully in the front row? Couldn't bare seeing him in a cheap seat!! 🤣

[JimMalone]

John Higgins hasn't lost in the first round of the World Championship since 2014. It will be interesting if he can avoid it this year.

[DeanH]

Cool FRB out and about

The was also the chap from Australia, and the two ladies, one sat middle-ish and one always sat to the far left (as seen from the camera

[snookerfollower]

Anyone seen any of the old regulars?
Is it too early in the event to see them (even though they used to be there every day )
Or has WST finally got "the rid of them (priced them out)?

Some posted a picture of Coventry Brian in the snooker reddit sub-forum so he's been about for at least some of the tournament. I don't know any of the other regulars but good to see him there.

[JimMalone]

Seems to me the seeded players are at such a disadvantage now coming into this cold compared to their opponent who's had at least 2 matches to sharpen up.

Same thing happened last year as I think 8 qualifiers won through to the second round. It's always been tough for the seeded players to get through round one, but given how small the gap is now between the top 16 and the rest of the field, I think it's unlikely we'll ever see a time when the majority of seeds get past the opening round.

I can't see this being good for the game or fans in the long run. Fans like to see an underdog but if too many big seeds keep going out in round one, interest in the tournament will surely fade. Be interesting to hear thoughts from others on this!

I agree that it is a disadvantage for the seeds to have to turn on their game immediately while the qualifiers are already in fight mode. Also I agree that right now the gap between the Top 16 and the others is quite small. But still there is small gap and the format with the long matches gives the top players enough time to find their groove. I think as of now I'd still expect in the World Championships to see the majority of seeds advance, likewise about 4 to 6 qualifiers advancing, sometimes more though.

I think we are seeing a little shift in Snooker as of right now with the older players finally fading a little bit, while others come up. That adds to the gap being so small. This can change again.

[TheBaize]

Yesterday's Eurosport post match chat and interview with Kyren. I bet Allan McManus never gets sea sick.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hyhau...osels6mrb&dl=0

You'd think Eurosport would be able to afford a decent wide angle lens for their studio shots, wouldn't you?

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After losing in the first round Kyren looked like someone who just had a massive reality check after being so full of himself this season.

[DeanH]

Anyone seen any of the old regulars?
Is it too early in the event to see them (even though they used to be there every day )
Or has WST finally got "the rid of them (priced them out)?