UK Champ. 2009 - Semi-final Discussion

[tenchylfc]

Best match since Masters final between those two.

I remember a match between them in 1996 at the crucible, it was either the last 16 or the quarters and it went the distance. Ronnie won it but i remember the match just being absolute quality all the way. Im glad they've both got their world titles now. Even then you knew the two of them would be dominating the game for years. There doesn't seem to be anyone with genuine star quality coming through at the moment. Snooker needs a Taylor/Tiger/Federer type figure more than it needs Barry Hearn. I hope he gets a bit more of it on the telly though.

[Odrl]

So what does all this mean for Ding's chances in the final? Did they just get better or worse?

[spike]

The match proves Ronnie isn't finished by a long shot

That was NEVER in question even before Ronnie made his phenomenal comeback this evening!

[tenchylfc]

I think it depends more on Ding. Im glad he isnt playing Ronnie in the final. Could do without the whole "burying the 2007 demons" sub plot going on he just needs to think about the next shot and he can beat anyone.

You would think that he would have a better chance than if Higgins was in bed at half 8 though. Hope its half as good a match as tonight was.

[montoya10]

So what does all this mean for Ding's chances in the final? Did they just get better or worse?

Absolutely better.

Against Ronnie, he would stand a chance next-to-nothing. Now, he is going to play against a mentally exhausted John Higgins, whose game is just beatable for Ding, if he brings on his A-game of course..

But for further notice, I never mentioned Ding as the favourite.. I thought that the winner of O'Sullivan v. Higgins would eventually win the tournament. And I still think Higgins is going to go on to win the tournament with a scoreline of 10-6...

But even when I tip Higgins to win...

Come on Ding!!!

[snookerfan92]

Great match, should have been the final, instead of one of the semis. If anyone missed the centuries, made in the 1 sessions, it can be viewed:

[ore]

Great match, should have been the final, instead of one of the semis. If anyone missed the centuries, made in the 1 sessions, it can be viewed:

snookerfan92, could you also put up a clip with that famous foul of touching the black?

[snookerfan92]

snookerfan92, could you also put up a clip with that famous foul of touching the black?

Here's the snooker Ronnie was in:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...er/8410320.stm

If the video doesn't work for you, let me know so I can upload all the attemps Ronnie attempted.

[Alex0paul]

Did you upload the mid session interview piece with Doherty?

[ore]

Here's the snooker Ronnie was in:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...er/8410320.stm

If the video doesn't work for you, let me know so I can upload all the attemps Ronnie attempted.

Well, managed this time. Thanks!
('d be more impressive if it included all those 7 attemps before the foul ).

But maybe some others without access to BBC might be interested to see it too. Though likelly to appear on youtube anyway sometime soon, so maybe don't bother..

And agreed with Alex0paul - interviews would be very interesting. Without having BBC coverage that's exactly the bits we those outside UK are missing.

[snookerfan92]

Well, here is the incident again along with the attempts from Ronnie to get out of that difficult snooker. Higgins, Parrott and Davis give their views on this bizarre incident also: