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

I was talking about the way Ronnie looks last night (ie dis-interested at times ) with a few mates .
Do you think even he is a bit disappointed at how easy he is finding it after having a year off ?

He mentioned before the tournament started that no one is really grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and dominating the way Davis, Hendry and he and Higgins (and MJW) did. I think he needs to be challenged to keep an interest but he seemed more tired against Ali than disinterested. He strikes me as egotistical enough to be annoyed at not being tested after a year out. He's cleverer than he looks as I imagine after last year he was thinking "I'll come back after a year off to play all these suckers who've spent a year travelling and playing with barely any rest time and I'm good enough to beat them even without much matchplay."

Well done Whitey. It's 8-3 with a century.

9-3 now. The players aren't hanging about today!!

This has been a good effort from Juddley after throwing away the previous frame.

I reckon this match is about as even as could be.

The current odds are 1/2 Judders 6/4 Bunter.

With a ton too!! Well done Ricky.

6/4 is very generous considering the sMurph has the world title out of the two.

Someone agreed with you TSJ. Only 5/4 now.

O'Sullivan was poor today but still should have closed the match out and won the session 6-2. Bingham just didn't seem up for it after the first couple of frames. Disappointing.

He was awesome yesterday though. Reckon Trump could stop him, simply by potting them from everywhere, but no one else left in the tournament has the game to challenge him.

Trump v Murhpy is living up to its billing as the top quarter final. Tremendous stuff so far today, each player taking full advantage of any mistakes. 6-4 probably reflects the relative popularity of the players as much as anything. I would give Murhpy the edge, just, because I think Trump may be more likely to miss the crucial ball.

It seems that one of Hawkins or Walden will make a World Championship final. With no disrespect, but that can't be good.

Hibbz wrote:Someone agreed with you TSJ. Only 5/4 now.

At least someone's listened to me!!

Mike Selig wrote:
It seems that one of Hawkins or Walden will make a World Championship final. With no disrespect, but that can't be good.

I think you're being a bit harsh on Ricky. He's won one ranking event this year and beat Ronald in the final of his other event win. Ok he may be disadvantaged by the long format but I wouldn't write him off.

I like these "On the Spot" features they do. MJW's was hilarious.

I thought Bunter came across very well. I've always thought he was a bit of an @rse but am rapidly coming to the conclusion I was wrong.

He does look a bit smug but that's hardly his fault and to his credit he really doesn't seem to care what the world thinks of him.

Probably holds some very forthright, interesting but possibly unfashionable views.

He's a bit smug but does come across as a decent chap. According to his Wikipedia page he's a "devout Christian".

There have been more kicks this year than I can remember in all my years of watching snooker.

I knew the Christian bit already. Was interested in the home schooling bit due to bullying. How true that is only a few would know.

Juddley goes a bit Jimmy under pressure doesn't he?

He's 1/6th of the way to becoming the new Jimmy White...

Mmm that'll hurt the sMurph. Whitey's clawed it back to 9-5 now with (2?) left

Yes, yes, yes Juddley.

I've got to pop out to collect my wife from work in 25mins. Fingers crossed it'll be job done when I return (too much to ask for it to be done before I leave).

Hmmm a kick cost the sMurph the last frame, a kick might cost Juddley this frame.

Whitey closes to 9-6 now. At the very least he's drawn the session.

A tactical miscue from Juddley?

He wouldn't risk it. It could damage his tip.

This is some frame!!

Hey Steve, this looks familiar!!!

Frame of the year!! It's 11-11!!

A champion's response with a 90 break and Juddley is one away. Meanwhile, it's 10-6 to Lurch. I think they resume tonight.

That was classy from Judd after having missed the pink over the pocket in the previous frame. Great opening red, split then shot to free up the black.

Ah a decider!! First one of the tournament. All you want in a decider is one chance

Equally good from Shaun. Both players have given their all, good luck to them.

Oh my what sort of horror is this. Leave them for half an hour and they conspire to set up a final frame shoot out.

Was hoping I would be spared the agony.

Juddley in first but the balls aren't exactly set are they?

Would the Beeb let play continue when it's time for Eggheads?

Well I got back at an interesting time :P

Rush of blood to the hair!!

Surprised he's turned down the yellow, didn't look that thin

Tough spot for Judd here

Or not...

Ah!!!!!! It's like a wigwam and a teepee!! Too tense!!

Well done Juddley I am gutted for the sMurph though. He's good in defeat though and he'll bounce back.

What a frame! Shame for Shaun cos he played some great shots in it but Judd deserved it too

Well that was fantastic. Well done to both players, and kudos to Judd for keeping his nerve, playing the percentage shots and (in the end) taking his chances.

Oooooh that's a bit arrogant from the Juddernaut. Another reason added to the list

Absolutely incredible frame, was hoping Murphy would win, but either way.

Right, I'm firmly in the Walden camp from now on. Back in an hour.

Judd Trump if he is to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan has to play the match of his life in the semi-final, as if Judd plays like he did against Shaun in their first session, Ronnie is just going to steamroller him easily/comfortably, just as was the case back in 1989 when Steve Davis then still in his prime easily beat Stephen Hendry in their much anticipated semi final clash having built up a big advantage after the first session's play.

We'll see. Counting chickens etc...

The Special Juan wrote:We'll see. Counting chickens etc...

I predict a one-sided semi-final score between Judd and Ronnie, with Ronnie demolishing Judd and winning easily 17 - 4 or 17 - 3, just as Ronnie did to Master Hendry back in 2004. Judd is still a year or two away from being able to consistently produce frame winning clearance after frame winning clearance to be able to pose a serious threat to Ronnie.

No way it's anything like that one-sided

That was quick.

Come on Michael White! Make it close and he'll bottle it! :P

More of that

I think Whitey's got everything required to succeed at the top level except a bit of experience but I have to be behind Ricky I'm afraid.