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Anybody who says the championship is no longer worth wathcing with ROS going out in the second should watch both semis and the Trump - Higgins quarter final. I would have loved to see Ronnie in the final myself. But I guess this final will be much more enjoyable than a Selby - Ronnie final (or Carter - Ronnie or Murphy - Ronnie ...).
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Loved this shot by Williams in Round 1 and the look on Jimmy's face after
https://youtu.be/79W_kHAPqhMComment
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So, another win for the old-timers then...
It's funny, when they both dropped out of the top4 at the age of 30 back in 2005, it looked like they were on their way down and would have the same kind of decline Davis and Hendry had in their 30s. I certainly wouldn't have expected them to meet in a World final 13 years later anyway, but in the context of this season it is not really a surprise. It will be the second major title and the fourth title altogether for whoever wins tomorrow, and they both have an excellent chance to spend some more time in the top4 with the points they will earn here.
I've called most things wrong in this tournament so far, so I don't really have any confidence in my own prediction, but I do think Higgins is the favourite. He was the one who raised his game yesterday when he needed to get over the line, winning a couple of frames in one visit, whereas Williams and Hawkins played some nervy snooker that mainly became about who would make fewer mistakes. The last five frames Williams won were all pretty much decided on the colours, and he never made a break over 50 in any of them. Higgins also has the advantage of having finished his match earlier, whereas Williams had to play in the late hours yesterday. The recent past has shown that that can make a difference, especially on the first day of the final.
It should be good entertainment whatever happens. I think neither player is playing at their very best in this tournament, but they have all the experience in the world at dealing with major finals, and of course they have the class to raise their game and play some good snooker over four sessions. There is one notable difference between them though... I think Williams has a habit of throwing too many frames away, always giving the feeling that he could have taken a better result from each session if he'd only cut out a few of his mistakes, whereas Higgins is the opposite case. I always had the feeling Trump and Wilson could have done more against him, but somehow he managed to take the maximum out of each session, just raising his game a little when he needed to. I think that will make the difference in Higgins' favour in the end, even if it is only a couple of frames. Higgins to win 18-14. :smile:Comment
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Really enjoyable and interesting semis. I was at times both impressed with and horrified by Mark's shot selection, boy did he push the boat out! He's always been an attacking player, but it looks like he's decided to up the ante in that regard, with spectacular results. On the other hand, John seems a bit more cautious, refusing some of the more risky shots in favour of keeping things tighter, playing to his strategic strengths, not so surprising I suppose.
So, assuming that they both continue along similar lines, we should have one belter of a final to enjoy. Could be a real slug-fest by the time we get to the final session (if there is one of course
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Bring it on!
-The fast and the furious,
The slow and labourious,
All of us, glorious parts of the whole!Comment
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Right now I can only be happy. It's the third year in a row the World Championship final includes two of my four favorite players and again I'll be happy with either winning. If Higgins wins he would become the third most successful player in the Crucible era, which would be great, but I'd maybe slightly prefer Williams winning his third one, because I think this would be fitting. If somebody told me one year ago, that the Welshman would make another World final I honestly wouldn't have believed it. His focus seemed gone and I wouldn't have been surprised if he would have retired within the next few years.
It's somehow amazing, when you think that the class of 1992 are all of the same age and have prior to this season 11 World titles and 15 finals betweeen them that this will be only the second time after 2001 that two of them match each other in a final.
20 years ago, after the 1998 World Championship the rankings were those:
1. John Higgins
2. Stephen Hendry
3. Ronnie O'Sullivan
4. Ken Doherty
5. Mark Williams
20 years later it will look either:
1. Mark Selby
2. John Higgins
3. Ronnie O'Sullivan
4. Judd Trump
5. Mark Williams
or
1. Mark Selby
2. Ronnie O'Sullivan
3. Mark Williams
4. John Higgins
5. Judd Trump
Either way the whole trio is still in the Top 5. This really shows their permanent class.
So who will add to his impressive resume today?
I have been quite horrible with my previews and picks this year. At least I predicted the winners of the two semifinals correctly and maybe have found some of my form again ;-)
While Williams was the more successful player this year I think that at this point in time Higgins is the better player. When he is at his best only Selby and O'Sullivan can match him. His tactical game and his shot-selection is incredible and despite Williams made more centuries this tournament I think Higgins is slightly better among the balls as well.
The Welshman is the better potter and even for Higgins it will be an impossible task to contain him. But quite often during his semifinal against Hawkins Williams missed crucial balls and against Higgins, who is a better version of the Hawk, I think this will cost him heavily. Higgins is more focused but Williams could be lose enough to have less pressure. I really think the Scotsman wants this title more, especially after losing last year's final, but is this an advantage?
One of the points where I consider Williams superior is fitness though. But so far Higgins hasn't shown signs of fatigue and I think the long lasting and nervewracking semifinal was very exhausting for Williams.
Higgins to win 18-15.Comment
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I disagree i still think Higgins could beat Selby in the latter stages,infact if he wins this World title he may have yet another peak,he looks much fresher than last year or indeed the year before,if his batteries do get re charged then he may well defend the title next year,but first of course this tough final first,but i think he will win it with 5 centuries.I really think Higgins has saved his best for last in 2018.Originally Posted by Dark View PostComment
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Not exactly world-class stuff so far, Higgins in particular has been very poor...Comment
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Agreed. Personally I don’t count those who stop watching when their favourite goes out as true snooker fans. Granted my enthusiasm wouldn’t be quite what it is if MW hadn’t made it through, but I’d still be watching.Originally Posted by kligu View Post"Kryten, isn't it round about this time of year that your head goes back to the lab for retuning?"Comment
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Another classic case of Higgins limiting the damage after struggling in the first half of the session. Looking forward to tonight. :smile:Comment
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Yes and once again Higgins playing much better coming from behind.Funny if Higgins had been in William's position this afternoon i would be a bit worried,it is almost as if Higgins won that session in terms of finding his game.Tonight is going to be very interesting.Originally Posted by Odrl View PostComment
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After the interval the match looked more like how I thought it would be. Higgins limited the damage after his abysmal start, 3-5 is totally okay for him. He remains the slight favorite for me.Comment
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The great thing about this final is you don;t know who is going to end up the Champion.Originally Posted by kligu View PostComment
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I think it was Dave Hendon mentioning couple times about planned press conference of Mark Williams after the match, regardless the result. Isn't Mark going to retire, is he? :-(Comment
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Can't see it being retirement after him saying his missus convinced him not to retire last year and he goes onto have his best season in years...
Come on mark, bring it home to wales again, boyo...
:snooker:Comment
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