2013 World Snooker Championship

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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST ROUND

(Seeded players are in brackets)

(1) Ronnie O'Sullivan v Marcus Campbell

(16) Ali Carter v Ben Woollaston

(9) Stuart Bingham v Sam Baird

(8) John Higgins v Mark Davis

(5) Shaun Murphy v Martin Gould

(12) Graeme Dott v Peter Ebdon

(13) Matthew Stevens v Marco Fu

(4) Judd Trump v Dominic Dale

(3) Neil Robertson v Robert Milkins

(14) Ricky Walden v Michael Holt

(11) Mark Williams v Michael White

(6) Stephen Maguire v Dechawat Poomjaeng

(7) Mark Allen v Mark King

(10) Ding Junhui v Alan McManus

(15) Barry Hawkins v Jack Lisowski

(2) Mark Selby v Matthew Selt

Actually, for me, that frame was the difference between Ding's generation and Angles'. Ding cleared up in one visit whereas you didn't fancy Angles when he was on the black.

He's certainly not got his Angles worked out this morning!!

I don't think it is a lot to do with generations though. McManus is just not one of those deadly break-builders. He did stem from a generation of great break-builders though such as Hendry, White, Drago, O'Sullivan et al but his forte was his safety play hence the 'Angles' nickname.

Considering his recent form I think Alan will be happy with things so far.

I see what you mean. In all honesty, it's been years since I've seen Angles on TV in anything more than a one frame shootout. All I can remember about him is that he is really good at getting out of snookers (and has the best nickname ever). We need Anthony Hamilton and David Gray back.

Alan looking very good this morning. He looks set to take the third frame to lead 2-1.

51 ahead, 51 on?

That should be the frame done and dusted now. Alan's safety play bearing fruit.

Ding's not got his long quite got his with him just yet but there's a long way to go. Angles in again.

Ding back level at 2-2 as they head for their mid-session interval.

Matthew Stevens, come on lad. Please don't mess yet another Crucible appearance up.

Stevens is a very spontaneous type of player. When on song he is a match for anyone but when he gets in a rut he finds it very hard to turn it around.

Ding getting into his stride here and is poised to go into the lead for the first time at 3-2. Ominous signs for Angles.

I don't think Stevens can tough it out when the going gets tough. However, Marco Fu is a nasty, nasty first round draw for anyone. He reached the final of the German Masters earlier this year where he just came up short against The Captain.

Yes Stevens is very much a confidence player. When hot and potting everything he is very tough to beat but there seems to be no happy medium as he is either hot or rank - if you see what I mean.

He's hot-or-cold. And he's down 4-1. Oh dear

This is a big frame for Angles; he doesn't want to be letting Ding get two or more frames ahead.

Christopher this afternoon!!

Agreed TSJ. McManus must hang on to Ding's coat-tails. If he trails by anything more than two frames at the end of their first session I see no way back for him.

Ding going through the gears now and Ding goes into a 4-2 lead. To be fair to Alan he has not done a lot wrong.

Indeed, he's just coming up against the definition of a streaky player (but he's improved his consistency over the past two years greatly).

Ding's safety game has certainly improved in the last year or two as well. In again and eyeing up a 5-2 lead. McManus now MUST win the next two frames to stay in contention you feel.

Ding is now in "Hendry the Hoover" mode where he isn't missing. He's an all-around player nowadays.

Angles. He gets his first chance for ages but misses a red.

McManus surely for 5-3...

Azzy Mahmood wrote:McManus surely for 5-3...

He must win this frame without a doubt. If not I see no way back for him.

Wow, what a shot Ding! Great plant!

Ooooh bad miss by Alan. He should have played safe in my opinion.

I would say that is game over now as Ding moves into a 6-2 lead.

My thoughts exactly. I don't think it was the right shot to play considering the circumstances.

Black ball decider in the Fu-Stevens match!!

That might spark Stevens into action. 6-3 won't be too bad but 5-4 would be daylight robbery.

Angles in again but misses again

Ding leads 7-2. A little cruel on McManus that scoreline but on this form Ding will be a strong contender for the title.

CaledonianCraig wrote:Ding leads 7-2. A little cruel on McManus that scoreline but on this form Ding will be a strong contender for the title.

On this form you'd think so but when it comes to the crunch, I don't think he's got the cool head required to win it. He had a great chance two years ago but couldn't reach the final when the pressure was on him. Still, he's on my list of players I'd like to see win a world title because of what he's doing for the game, especially in China (others on that list include Mark Selby, Mark Allen, Matthew Stevens and Christopher Dale).

I would agree , im not sure when it comes to the hard fought games later on that Ding can handle the pressure

Do you think it's something he can improve Kenny? I don't think it's anything like Gary Anderson and his doubles, it's more like Andy Murray in tennis where he might need a bit of help getting over the finishing line in the big events. I know all sports are different but there are similarities "upstairs".

I think he can get the right mentality , i always felt he had to much pressure put on him by people saying he was going to be China's first World Champion but now with more Asian players coming through i think that has lifted a little .

For me Dings biggest thing is does HE believe he will win the big games , yes i know he has won titles before but this is the World Championship

I think he had the belief years ago but he turned cocky and had a massive beatdown from Ronald in the final of an event (was it the Masters?) and that seems to have set him back mentally. He's a better player nowadays and maybe he can get it back. I think the first one will be the hardest for him.

First blood Dale!!

Wow, the coughers are in today.

YES!!! He's 1/10 of the way there!!

im sure some of them sit out in the cold to prepare for going to see the snooker

What's happened to Dominic's hair?

Mags wastes no time in wiping out the deficit.

Darn, I've never warmed to Maguire. He's the exact kind of player Hearn should be trying to get rid of - very good, but as boring as cross-stitch.

He's good when he's angry. I'm waiting for him to leather someone in the face.

Dom's in again but misses a black off the spot. Domnishambles?

Haha, coined by TSJ

It really shows how bad the WCs is this year when I'm hoping someone like Graeme Dott wins, just to stuff it up the likes of Maguire and Selby. While I'd love to see Robbo win, and Ronnie winning would make for good TV, I'd rather take a 100% guaranteed Dott win than a 50% chance on either Robbo or Ronnie. Too many snooker players I don't like / find really boring.

What do you find so interesting about Dott? Is it his voice?

2-2 1/5th of the way there

Maguire's gonna snap....

The Special Juan wrote:What do you find so interesting about Dott? Is it his voice?

Nothing, which is why I'd like him to win over the equally boring Selby/Maguire/Murphy etc. If a boring one has to win, I'd rather it was Dotty, because then he'd have 2 WCs while Jimmy White languishes on zero

Dotty > Jimmy. *cough*

At least Domnishambles has pulled it back to 6-3. It's not all over yet The Selbinator is on later along with Carter. Two of my favourite players!!

It's a nice wee flashback seeing the players walk-on without music (but in tragic circumstances of course). Come on Selby!!

The Special Juan wrote:It's a nice wee flashback seeing the players walk-on without music (but in tragic circumstances of course). Come on Selby!!

What tragic circumstances? What have I missed?

I think it was because of the big earthquake in China. Fu and Ding had no walk-on music this morning and now they've cancelled the music for the rest of the day.