Grand Prix 2009 - 1st round discussions!

[spike]

Milkins is a bit of a flair player, he plays very fluent snooker when on form. He should easily be a top 32 player if not better but is way too inconsistent.

That's very true, but with Ali only recently been made a father and the obvious distractions that come with that, this COULD be a good opportunity for Milkins to take advantage & beat Carter..

[rivercard]

Milkins is a bit of a flair player, he plays very fluent snooker when on form. He should easily be a top 32 player if not better but is way too inconsistent.

[montoya10]

ok, while still mourning the loss of Mark Selby from ANOTHER tournament! I thoought I'd mention that Ali is playing today!

He's got a much easier draw than Mark, and doesn't play ridiculously in the shorter frame matches so I think he'll probably win today. I'm not sure how his recent fatherhood will affect him, but we'll soon see today

Oh! Just in case no one noticed, it starts at 12:30 today instead of 1:snooker:

Usually, becoming a father affects you all along your career. First, a player loses a bit of a concentration and starts sliding down the rankings, but it depends on his own quality to stop this downfall. But after a couple of seasons, they generally regain their form.

And to add my own opinion, if I was a snooker pro, I would definitely want to win a title and dedicate it to my child even if I was a former champion. That would be a clear aim for anybody, I suppose.

As for Ali's match and all matches today, I'm waiting no upsets, at least based on the players' respective rankings. Though I would fancy Matthew Stevens snatching a win today

[very.tee]

ok, while still mourning the loss of Mark Selby from ANOTHER tournament! I thoought I'd mention that Ali is playing today!

He's got a much easier draw than Mark, and doesn't play ridiculously in the shorter frame matches so I think he'll probably win today. I'm not sure how his recent fatherhood will affect him, but we'll soon see today

Oh! Just in case no one noticed, it starts at 12:30 today instead of 1:snooker:

[very.tee]

ok, well I've just seen the news and what can I say?

Well Done Ken, I suppose, as he did play really well

I'm so upset for Mark though because these performances are becoming very regular and it's really can't be helping his confidence levels

Hopefully he'll remember that Shaun Murphy last year lost his first three opening matches before winning the Uk Champs

Come On Mark! I still believe in you

[The Boss]

I wasn't surprised at all. I even bet Doherty to win at 2.65 to 1 rate. He is a class act for Selby, no question about it.

Perfect score for me too. Perry was playing on the other side. I was disappointed that the cameraman didn't capture his down on the shots at the best angle. The man himself was not happy with his performance, which is a good thing. Too early to peak. This could be Il Uomo Pericoloso's tournament

[matoski]

I'm actually quite amazed to see that Ken Doherty actually defeated Mark Selby in this first round. My personnal prediction just got wrong in the first round.

It would be great to see Ken Doherty get back in the swing of thing and get a few good matches. The Darling of Dublin could really be a pleasant surprise in this event. I'm really looking forward to it.

I wasn't surprised at all. I even bet Doherty to win at 2.65 to 1 rate. He is a class act for Selby, no question about it.

[montoya10]

He reminds me a bit of the old Matthew Stevens. You would fancy him to do well in the longer frame matches but then struggle in the best of 9's thus his ranking would always stay quite low.

Selby has had some tough draws recently though. Lost to Williams at the UK, lost to Day and Doherty at the Grand Prix, lost to Dott in China and Higgins at the Worlds since his his last semi so he hasn't been losing to mugs. I think its only a matter of time before he has an extended run in a tournament and maybe a quiet season could be what he needs before a world championship tilt. However the pressure of maybe dropping out of the top 16 may start to get to him.

Can't disagree with the toughness of the matchups he had had recently, but I don't think he is as good as Matthew was.. Very sad to see him struggle now, in Shanghai he did well to reach the last 16, let's see if he can go back to his best..

Come on Matthew. Be a good test for Ding

By the way, I have Ding in my fantasy team

[JohnPizzapan]

I'm actually quite amazed to see that Ken Doherty actually defeated Mark Selby in this first round. My personnal prediction just got wrong in the first round.

It would be great to see Ken Doherty get back in the swing of thing and get a few good matches. The Darling of Dublin could really be a pleasant surprise in this event. I'm really looking forward to it.

[choy]

From what I read in Ferret's post, Doherty/Selby matchup seems very interesting. What a shame, I didn't get to catch it live! Anyone managed to record it? Don't mind posting it up? Many thanksssss !!!

[Alex0paul]

He reminds me a bit of the old Matthew Stevens. You would fancy him to do well in the longer frame matches but then struggle in the best of 9's thus his ranking would always stay quite low.

Selby has had some tough draws recently though. Lost to Williams at the UK, lost to Day and Doherty at the Grand Prix, lost to Dott in China and Higgins at the Worlds since his his last semi so he hasn't been losing to mugs. I think its only a matter of time before he has an extended run in a tournament and maybe a quiet season could be what he needs before a world championship tilt. However the pressure of maybe dropping out of the top 16 may start to get to him.

[Mal]

I really can't understand how some local commentators here in Turkey label him as the second best player on the tour to Ronnie.. He is talented, he is a strong match player and a decent fighter, but still not quite there. I don't think his ranking is threatening, but sadly his current form is..

His ranking may not be at risk of falling out of top 16 just yet, but if Hendry and Allen get through to the next round they will overtake him and runs to QF for Ding and Wenbo would see them go ahead provisionally and suddenly the bookies second favourite would be provisionally 14th in the world!

[Odrl]

I think Robertson/Greene could prove to be a match to savour if Greene can bring some good form into the match.

Yes, that one could be interesting as well. Hopefully I'll be able to catch a bit of it. And Carter-Milkins as well for that matter.

Actually, I can't find a "weak" match in this round at all. It's either two equally matched players, or at least a top player playing, in every match.

[spike]

Great opening day. Looking forward to tomorrow's matches, especially Ding-Stevens and Day-Cope, surely two of the highlights of the 1st round.

I think Robertson/Greene could prove to be a match to savour if Greene can bring some good form into the match.

[montoya10]

Well played Ken and really starting to move back up the rankings. Ken could challenge in this tournament (if his form is good!)

As for Mark, well I do think he is a very good player, and I did occasionally back him for tournaments, but not over the last year as the bookies putting him second for most tournaments doesn't make any sense when you look at his results - and his performance tonight wasn't impressive.

I really can't understand how some local commentators here in Turkey label him as the second best player on the tour to Ronnie.. He is talented, he is a strong match player and a decent fighter, but still not quite there. I don't think his ranking is threatening, but sadly his current form is..