Shanghai Masters 2015 - Discussion

[cueman]

Just watching Allen vs Mark Davis and honestly its probably the worst conditions I think I've ever witnessed at a pro ranking event. There must have been over 30 kicks in this match in 5 frames and this 6th frame there has probably been at least a dozen awful kicks for both players.

This seems to happen every time they play in china and surely World snooker need to consider hosting events in countries where conditions are more suitable. It must be terrible for players who are playing for their livelyhood and yet its really down to luck as to who gets the least amount of kicks in a match which determines the outcome. I don't know of any other sport where the conditions play the biggest part in who wins. For snooker to be able to appeal to a bigger audience and to get more players playing the game, surely they have to do something about conditions now!

[vmax4steve]

Funny how Gould chokes while Steven Lee chucks it. There was a time in this match when either player could be said to have a betting slip in their pockets for a 5-4 win to the other bloke, the sitters they missed were unreal.

[Masterdoctorgenius]

how many matches has gouldy choked in his life? many i suppose

but his match vs neil at the WC 2010 will never be topped. this guy is a proper choker. greg norman type but no majors to show so far

[robertmac]

I will have to watch the replay as 2am here is
far to early for me. Did see some of the last
frame and Bingham did get a bit of luck. Gould
is a tough guy to beat this season which is nice
to see.

[streamer45]

Good stuff between Trump and Williams this morning

[robertmac]

I agree all matches could won by any player and
I see close matches and good snooker.

[Odrl]

Unfortunately I will be out of town tomorrow, so I will probably have to catch up with these matches on Saturday morning.

Trump-Williams looks like the best prospect. They developed a bit of a rivalry last season when they met so many times, but it was all best-of-7, so they finally meet in a proper match here. Both have been impressive this week, so it's difficult to call, but I think I will go for Williams. It should be an attacking game, and I suspect some long balls will be going in. :smile:

Bingham-Gould could be interesting as well. Gould seems to be on a prolonged run of good form, and he is difficult to contain when he plays well. Bingham, on the other hand, is having his first good tournament since the WC, but his draw so far has been quite easy, so this will be a real test for him. I would give Gould a slight edge.

I have no clue how to call the other two matches. Ding seemed to be his usual self today, scoring quite well and only needing one chance to take the decider. He could have too much for Wilson, but then again, we haven't actually seen Wilson play this week, so it's difficult to say. Allen-Davis should be another close one.

No snooker for me tomorrow, but I'm looking forward to the marathon on Saturday. :smile:

[robertmac]

Trump v Williams looks like a keeper.
Ding, Gould, Trump and Davis would be
my choices and a great set of matches.

[Byrom]

Nice to see Kyren Wilson doing well and Williams seems to be doing well surprisingly since his arm operation - thought he would be on the down slide by now but seems to be competing well still.

[robertmac]

Good to see Williams beat Cope and and Holt get beaten
as well. Four good matches coming up soon.

[Hal]

Have not seen any of the matches this week so far, stupid work ....

I see there is another potential meeting in quarter-finals for MJW and Trump, I mean, is there any other pair that faces each other so regularly?

[Odrl]

An interesting day of snooker, both matches going to a decider. I was going to criticize Cope for the lack of a killer instinct after he let a great lead slip, but in the end it's Robertson who gets the criticism again. Yet another decider loss for him, his ratio over the last 18 months or so has been dreadful.

Classic stuff from Murphy as well, hanging in there at 4-1, then he starts to play a bit and ends up winning. Ebdon had plenty of chances to put him out though.

Hopefully I don't have to wait until the middle of the night to watch tomorrow's matches. :smile: It's a decent line-up, but once again the TV choices are just shocking. Specifically, the decision to televise Allen-Grace instead of Higgins-Gould, which is probably the most exciting match of the entire round...

[mikeyd100]

defo time to leave the event and get back to support his wife and family.
These occasions focusses the mind to family and loved ones, and not the job.
Prayers to the Selby family.

Yep very true indeed.

Re Jamie Cope - I read he had like the yips or whatever its called.
I always thought he could be a bit too reckless at times though with his game, Jack Lisowski seems the same too.. but has potential.

[DeanH]

Shanghai Masters 2015 - Discussion

defo time to leave the event and get back to support his wife and family.
These occasions focusses the mind to family and loved ones, and not the job.
Prayers to the Selby family.

[mikeyd100]

hmm
maybe this is what Selby alluded to recently after losing and said there are more important things to worry about?

Yes I remember that.. good call, I reckon he feels close to his in laws if I'm right in saying Selby's own father has passed away and his mother isn't really in touch with him ?