2015 World Championships - Discussion Thread

[CaledonianCraig]

First topic message reminder :

So another world championship at The Crucible is upon us. Who will emerge victorious and be crowned the world champion? For me a lot depends on the early rounds. Players who will get better as the tournament goes on I feel will be the likes of Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and John Higgins so them avoiding an early exit will put them right in contention. Obviously, Ronnie O'Sullivan will be one of the favourites and his chances will hinge on avoiding top notch match play players ie Mark Selby and John Higgins in the latter stages. Ronnie is at his best in matches against expansive shot players who play an open game and whose misses leave chances. This year it is wide open I think so here is hoping we have a great fortnight of snooker. Enjoy and start discussing here when the matches get under way........

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins now putting some serious daylight between himself and Robertson. He opens with a century to now lead 6-3 (he has now won five frames on the bounce).

[Mad for Chelsea]

don't you just love a good old safety battle?

[CaledonianCraig]

don't you just love a good old safety battle?

Certainly do. Chess on a snooker table.

[Mad for Chelsea]

and after that, Robertson gets in with a fine plant, only to miss a green, and now Hawkins looks set to go 7-3 up! Robertson back to the table, needing snookers...

[CaledonianCraig]

Six on the bounce for The Hawk. He leads 7-3.

[CaledonianCraig]

Robertson at last steadies the rocking ship to take a frame. A chance missed there for The Hawk and Robertson reduces the arrears to 7-4.

[CaledonianCraig]

The Hawk blows another chance and Robertson will feel much better now as it is back to 7-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

Now it is Robertson on a roll and reels off another frame that Hawkins had chances in. Hawkins leads 7-6.

[CaledonianCraig]

This is an odd match as Robertson sinks a century and wins his 4th frame on the bounce and it is 7-7.

[CaledonianCraig]

A real marathon frame this frame 15. It looks sure to perhaps pass the hour mark and it may mean they won't get the last frame of the session in.

[CaledonianCraig]

This will be the last frame of the session so one frame extra to be played tonight and it is Barry Hawkins that wins the longest frame of tournament at 71 minutes 30 seconds. Hawkins takes an 8-7 lead into the final session tonight.

[CaledonianCraig]

Now shortly the afternoon session shall get under way. Ronnie O'Sullivan resumes trailing Stuart Bingham 5-3 and to a finish will play Shaun Murphy and Anthony McGill with Murphy leading 9-7.

[VTR]

I like a good bit of safety, but a 71 minute frame, no thanks!

Getting ahead but I am imagining a semi final lineup of Robertson/Murphy/Trump/O'Sullivan. That would be really strong

[CaledonianCraig]

Getting ahead but I am imagining a semi final lineup of Robertson/Murphy/Trump/O'Sullivan. That would be really strong

It would but Robertson is far from settled and in danger of elimination, Murphy I have a sneaky feeling has gotten through his bad patch and will win perhaps 13-10, Trump is through and Ronnie is far from sure of going through but I'd sooner back him to win just now that Bingham.

[VTR]

Getting ahead but I am imagining a semi final lineup of Robertson/Murphy/Trump/O'Sullivan. That would be really strong

It would but Robertson is far from settled and in danger of elimination, Murphy I have a sneaky feeling has gotten through his bad patch and will win perhaps 13-10, Trump is through and Ronnie is far from sure of going through but I'd sooner back him to win just now that Bingham.

Robertson does need to be careful, but he's a much better player than Hawkins and I think that will tell in the next session. Murphy is ahead even though I would say he was very average in the evening yesterday, to me it doesn't look like McGill has the belief to capitalise as he should have been ahead after that.

Ronnie, it will be interesting, if he wants it then he wins easily. If he carries on in his distracted and slightly childish manner then another one of his stupid implosions could be on the cards.

[CaledonianCraig]

McGill off to a great start and takes the first frame with a 95 break and trails 9-8. Even better from Ballroom Bingham with a 145 break (joint tournament highest with Robertson) and extends his lead over The Rocket to 6-3.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murphy bounces back with a big break of his own and leads 10-8. Cracking match this.

[CaledonianCraig]

O'Sullivan gets his first frame of day and trails Bingham 6-4.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham wastes chances and Ronnie now back to just a frame behind at 6-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie snatches another frame and they are level at 6-6 at their mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

A scrappy but tense frame taken by Murphy and you feel that was a crucial one and he's now in firm control at 11-8 McGill had a chance to pinch it but missed his chance. You feel McGill must win the last frame before the mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murphy with one foot in the semis and leads 12-8 at their mid-session interval. Still not convinced he will have what it takes to lift the title. For me Trump is on a different level to everyone else so far. Ronnie is having his struggles as is Neil Robertson.

[CaledonianCraig]

An error strewn frame is taken by Stuart Bingham and he edges back ahead of Ronnie 7-6.

[CaledonianCraig]

Shaun Murphy seals a 13-8 win over Anthony McGill and he awaits the winner of the Robertson/Hawkins match. Decent show from McGill though as a qualifier and he looks like a potential world champion of the future with a few improvements here and there. Meanwhile, Ronnie back level at 7-7 with a century.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham missing more golden chances from some gob-smacking misses from Ronnie but can't take them and Ronnie edges into an 8-7 lead.

[CaledonianCraig]

I wonder if Ronnie has missed as many easy balls in a session yet win in 5-3? I think that says a lot about Bingham's inability to taken golden chances when handed on a plate to him. However, credit to Bingham who from looking like a punch drunk boxer pulled himself together and snatched the last frame to go in level at 8-8 to tonight's last session.

[CaledonianCraig]

Tonight's session will see the remaining two semi-final spots filled. O'Sullivan and Bingham resume at 8-8 and Hawkins leads Robertson 8-7 going into their final sessions.

[CaledonianCraig]

Robertson wins the first frame of the evening to level it up at 8-8 whilst Ronnie wins the opener to lead 9-8.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham bounces back with a sizeable break to level it up at 9-9.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham on a 147 with nine reds and nine blacks. He leads 10-9.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham breaks down on the 11th red but at least he took the frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins edges back ahead 9-8 over Robertson.

[CaledonianCraig]

Stuart Bingham gets another frame at the second attempt and he leads 11-9.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins now goes 10-8 up as he strikes the third century break on the trot in this session.

[CaledonianCraig]

Robertson knocks in a 90 break and pulls himself a frame closer trailing Hawkins 10-9 at their mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ballroom Bingham on the verge of extinguishing The Rocket's hopes for another year. A break of 85 gives him the frame to lead 12-9.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Stuart Bingham has beaten Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-9 in a big upset. It means Bingham is through to his first Crucible semi-final and will play Judd Trump in that semi. As for Ronnie perhaps it is as he says he lacks the motivation.

[Hibbz]

Get in there Dr Giggles you absolute beauty.

[CaledonianCraig]

Dr Giggles??

[Hibbz]

Google it mate.

[Hibbz]

I'll want the Juddernaut to beat him but it's great to see O'Sullivan knocked out. Do you think he's composing this years retirement speech yet?

[CaledonianCraig]

Robertson and Hawkins level at 10-10 now. This could go to the wire.

[CaledonianCraig]

I'll want the Juddernaut to beat him but it's great to see O'Sullivan knocked out. Do you think he's composing this years retirement speech yet?

Ronnie has mellowed a heck of a lot in recent years and is far less obnoxious than he once was. My take on his loss? Considering the ease of some of the shots he missed and that Bingham is no mug then it is a surprise but not a massive shock. Ronnie did say after the last round that he was not feeling motivated to win more world titles saying yes he'd like another one but if he didn't get it then no big deal. Hendry scoffed at that and said he was sure Ronnie wanted his record. Well looking at him today he looked disconnected or disinterested and almost bored by it all. Certainly not focussed anyway. Perhaps, if that is how he feels at a World Championship QF then he really should strongly consider retirement. I might be being a little harsh here on Ronnie so please everyone feel free to give your interpretations.

[CaledonianCraig]

Yet another century from Robertson. Boy is he in a hot streak now and leads The Hawk 11-10. A break of 143 (his fourth 140+ break of the tournament).

[Hibbz]

I am so so pleased for Bingham. To beat O'Sullivan at The Crucible is such a tremendous effort. No doubt all the headlines will be about how badly Ronald played and he was pony but even so it's just brilliant.

I've said I want Judd to beat him but thinking about it if Bingham were to win the title it would be absolutely fantastic. Such an unassuming fella.

[CaledonianCraig]

Yes I like the quiet way he goes about his business (Bingham). He has been trying for so long to get to the one table slot at The Crucible and he had some mental demons this afternoon but he pulled himself together and got that solid match play going to power home. It will depend on his mental mindset on how he does against Trump.

[Hibbz]

I've loathed O'Sullivan from his junior days for reasons I've divulged on here before and I'm not about to change my opinion now but that said I thought he was outstanding and gracious in defeat in last years final.

Even so I maintain that disinterest is his go to demeanour when he feels under pressure and it stinks of an easy way out in my opinion.

[CaledonianCraig]

I am a lot more neutral about Ronnie than I was. He's grown-up a lot in the last few years I think since he has become a dad. Also it is known he has mental issues (bi-polar) so you will always get severe mood swings. As far as snooker players go he is the most naturally gifted player ever to pick up a cue...period. Greatest of all-time....no.

Meanwhile, Hawkins has nailed the fifth century in six frames tonight. Incredible absolutely incredible. Hawkins back level at 11-11.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins with a 70+ break (standards are slipping) and wins that frame and leads 12-11. Robertson on the brink.

[CaledonianCraig]

Robertson takes the frame and we are level a 12-12. We have a final frame decider.

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