Welsh Open match discussion

[The Statman]

One has to bear in mind that the shot clock requires a maximum of 25 seconds, not an average. The average would have to be less by three or four seconds.

However, I don't envisage that Selby would struggle to cope; I think he might go for a more straightforward safety rather than the exceptionally precise that he tries for – but with his opponent also under the same time constraints, that will probably not cause him any disadvantage.

[The Boss]

I think Selby could perfectly cope with it. Maybe he would show another facette of himself. Somehow I don't feel he's really a "slow" player. He's a defensive player, and sometimes ... plays mind games. And I'm not referring solely to yesterday's match here; what I have in mind in the WC final and the WC quarter also.

That's why he's known as the Shark. More horses heads are needed to stop him in future

[Monique]

I think Selby could perfectly cope with it. Maybe he would show another facette of himself. Somehow I don't feel he's really a "slow" player. He's a defensive player, and sometimes ... plays mind games. And I'm not referring solely to yesterday's match here; what I have in mind in the WC final and the WC quarter also.

[Wim]

when this was posted it was said that Selbys shot duration was averaging 26 seconds per shot

i dont think Selby would have a problem in speeding up by a second or two if it meant he was going to foul.

it may mean he wont be playing 100% comfortably at his own speed, but to say "I don't see how he could play in that.", even though its your opinion, which youre entitled to, i think he could quite easily play in that

It would be a good experience for him as well, even Steve Davis who tended to slow down his game those last years did very well in PL and even sometimes better than on the other events.

[Semih_Sayginer]

Considering Selby wants to play in the PL and that is 25 seconds per shot, I don't see how he could play in that.

when this was posted it was said that Selbys shot duration was averaging 26 seconds per shot

i dont think Selby would have a problem in speeding up by a second or two if it meant he was going to foul.

it may mean he wont be playing 100% comfortably at his own speed, but to say "I don't see how he could play in that.", even though its your opinion, which youre entitled to, i think he could quite easily play in that

[missneworleans]

I can't understand all say Selby is playing badly and can't underastand how he wins and so on. He is a great player!

[Black_cat]

And now I'm expecting a thread whose title should be in the lines of "Is Ronnie a bottler??" and where the poster would nominate all the MT finals Ronnie has reached after his brilliant 2004-2005 season (that included the Worlds, the Masters and three other rankers) and all the titles he's won, respectively.
Because it looks bad. 2 wins out of 7 attempts.
*sigh*

[Wim]

Finally Ronnie can only blame himself for loosing this match He was 3 frames ahead and had his chances. Blaming this defeat on Selby's style is not correct, he must be capable to finish a game like this. But I agree with what he says about Selby's style in general. And of course he likes to win.

[Monique]

Ronnie was obviously disapponted after having practically thrown the match away from 8-5 up and also in the final frame.

When winning a match, Ronnie often talks about how it doesn't matter to him winning or losing, funny we never hear this after a loss.

Congratulations to Selby! A worthy winner!

Congratulations to Selby indeed for keeping his cool and being able to exert pressure when it mattered, and for winning his first ranker of course!
Of course Ronnie was disapointed ... much more than that: he was toroughly angry at himself because he was unable to sustain the way Marlk played. And unable to close it when he had the upper hand. Mark played exactly the type of game that bullies Ronnie. It is absolutely right: he wants to win, he does what needs to be done to achieve it. Without resorting to ungentlemanly conduct ...
As for what Ronnie says about not caring ... well... does anyone seriously think one can get to three finals in four rankers (up to now in this season) when one does not care about winning? Of course he cares ... In my opinion (and this is just my opinion), he's just trying to keep pressure lower by trying to convince - himself in the first place - that it's not that important. Wether he's convincing ... is another story

[matoski]

ronnie says in his interview - "i dont know if marks talented, he plays a very negative game. he doesnt take a ball on unless hes going to leave it safe."

I totally agree with Ronnie on this. Mark is a very slow player, he destroys the concentration of his opponents, makes them nervous waiting in their chairs while he "takes his time" and "composes". He is not much of a breakbuilder either. I never liked his negative style, although people think he's positive just because he makes goofy faces and makes a fool out of himself in front of the audience.

[elvaago]

Winning is winning. I applaud Selby for doing it two major tournaments in a row. Also against two very different players.

[matoski]

At least Selby admitted that he sraped out the victory, and that the better man lost. Nice final though, blinks of briliance from Ronnie in few frames.

[johnwilliamson147]

ron comments

ronnie says in his interview - "i dont know if marks talented, he plays a very negative game. he doesnt take a ball on unless hes going to leave it safe."

[The Boss]

Ronnie was obviously disapponted after having practically thrown the match away from 8-5 up and also in the final frame.

When winning a match, Ronnie often talks about how it doesn't matter to him winning or losing, funny we never hear this after a loss.

Congratulations to Selby! A worthy winner!

The result will hurt him because he thought he had it in the bag. Believe me, this will have a positive effect on Ronnie when it comes to Sheffield. When he has something to prove, he's often inspired to deliver, like he did when he won the UK and Masters last year. It might also take the edge of the other players if they think he's vulnerable to losing when close to the winning line. In the 2003/4 season he couldn't close matches out either until it got the World Championship and he won that. I expect a similar comeback again. So it's disappointing for his fans that he lost, but i don't think it will continue. Selby's luck this season might have run out tonight. If Selby lost tonight, it might have been him beating Ronnie next time. Ronnie won't let what happened tonight happen again this season

[hegeland]

Ronnie was obviously disapponted after having practically thrown the match away from 8-5 up and also in the final frame.

When winning a match, Ronnie often talks about how it doesn't matter to him winning or losing, funny we never hear this after a loss.

Congratulations to Selby! A worthy winner!