2016 World Snooker Championship - Discussion Thread

[CaledonianCraig]

First topic message reminder :

The Crucible opens its doors to snookers greatest players on the planet for 17 days but who will end it holding the world crown?

The tournament (as is tradition) starts with the champion opening proceedings and Bingham is having early problems trailing Ali Carter 3-1. On the other table Marco Fu is in command against former champion Peter Ebdon leading 5-1.

Discuss.....

[CaledonianCraig]

Staggeringly, Kyren Wilson looks like making it 7-0 against Mark Allen. The qualifier is a rising star in the game and looks assured of a QF spot already.

[CaledonianCraig]

At last Mark Allen gets a frame on the board but ends his session trailing Kyren Wilson 7-1.

[CaledonianCraig]

On the other table Ding pilfers the last frame of their session and has a healthy 6-2 lead over Judd Trump.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Shame to see Allen win that final frame, the one player i'd love to see truly embarrassed.

[Born Slippy]

Trump getting in a Twitter argument in the mid session interval, then makes questionable shot choices in the next frame and goes 0-4 for the mini-session. Doesn't seem like his mind is properly focussed!

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump getting in a Twitter argument in the mid session interval, then makes questionable shot choices in the next frame and goes 0-4 for the mini-session. Doesn't seem like his mind is properly focussed!

It is one part of his game that has question marks hanging over it. I'd say the match isn't out of his reach yet but he must win the next session - if not then I'd revise his chances of a comeback.

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump getting in a Twitter argument in the mid session interval, then makes questionable shot choices in the next frame and goes 0-4 for the mini-session. Doesn't seem like his mind is properly focussed!

It is one part of his game that has question marks hanging over it. I'd say the match isn't out of his reach yet but he must win the next session - if not then I'd revise his chances of a comeback.

Also (if I picked this up correctly) in pre-match comments he was sating he believed he could win whereas Ding didn't (or words to that effect). If that was what he was getting at it was a dumb thing to say and a sure-fire way to motivate your opponent. Daft.

[CaledonianCraig]

This afternoon's Second Round matches sees Barry Hawkins resume 5-3 up against Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins resume with a 5-3 lead over Ricky Walden.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie with a break of 68 looks set to win the 9th frame. On the other table Walden at the table and looking to secure the frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

Well from nowhere and a bizarre turn of events involving a free ball Barry Hawkins comes from behind to steal the frame and now leads The Rocket 6-3.

[CaledonianCraig]

A scrappy frame on the other table is won by John Higgins and he extends his lead to 6-3. Ronnie building a big lead again in the 10th frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Ronnie makes no mistake this time with a century break and it is 6-4 to Barry Hawkins.

[CaledonianCraig]

John Higgins looking good now and moves into a 7-3 lead with a break of 90. Meanwhile, on the other table, Barry Hawkins is building a lead but will do well to finish the frame here.

[CaledonianCraig]

Top notch break of 74 from Hawkins and he extends his lead to 7-4.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie in with a good chance in the next frame - looks favourite to make it 7-5. Walden also in control of the 11th frame on the other table.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Ronnie seals the frame in one visit with a break of 82 and they head to their mid-session interval with Hawkins leading 7-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

Walden builds a lead of 48 and looking good to pull a frame back.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Walden does take the frame and Higgins lead is cut to 7-4.

[CaledonianCraig]

Barry Hawkins with two sizeable contributions takes the frame and leads Ronnie 8-5. Now guaranteed not to be behind going into tomorrow's final session.

[Guest]

Could be a cracker this one. O'Sullivan 6-8 Hawkins

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie hits back with a break of 89 to seal the frame and reduce his arrears to 8-6. Walden holds himself together to win the frame and pull it back to 7-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

A mis-hit break-off from Hawkins and Ronnie gifted a chance.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie punishes Hawkins slack play and now trails by one at 8-7. This last frame is massive. I feel Hawkins has to win it to stay in the ascendency. If he doesn't then I'd back Ronnie to win from 8-8.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins play gone a little ragged now can Ronnie pounce?

[CaledonianCraig]

The balls have run a little awkward here and Hawkins was winning these frames yesterday. Will he today?

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins takes the frame and you feel he needed that more than Ronnie did. He'll go into their final session session tomorrow leading Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-7. On the other table Higgins is looking to re-assert himself. In with chance to extend his lead to 8-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins takes the frame to lead 8-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ouch. Frame 14 will hurt Ricky Walden. On a break and in control with a lead and his cuff feathered the pink and a foul was called with the winning line in sight. Higgins needed to bites at the cherry but robbed the frame and now leads 9-5. You feel Ricky needs both of these last two frames to keep himself in contention tomorrow.

[CaledonianCraig]

Excellent riposte from Walden after what must have been a bitter pill to swallow in the last frame. A break of 74 sees him win the frame. Higgins leads 9-6. One frame left to play in this session.

[CaledonianCraig]

John Higgins wins what was a cagey frame at times to lead Ricky Walden 10-6 overnight. It will take a monumental effort for Walden to recover from that position and win.

[CaledonianCraig]

This evening's matches sees Kyren Wilson (the qualifier) resume leading Mark Allen 7-1 and he could wrap up the match this eveningif he has as good a session as he had this morning. On the other table Judd Trump has his back to the wall as he resumes 6-2 behind against Ding Junhui.

[CaledonianCraig]

Mark Allen scores a big break to win the first frame of the evening session but he is still a long way adrift at 7-2. Ding punishing Trump's sloppy play and looks set to go 7-2 up. Judd in BIG trouble here.

[CaledonianCraig]

Oooh no sooner had I posted that than Ding misses a straight forward pot. A chance here for Judd to steal the frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Trump steals the frame and reduces his arrears to 6-3. On the other table, Mark Allen is building momentum and looks sure to win his second successive frame to trail 7-3.

[CaledonianCraig]

Mark Allen on a roll now and is set to pull another frame back to trail 7-4. If he does then this match cannot end tonight.

[CaledonianCraig]

A scrappy frame on the other table and Trump has had chances but not taken them now Ding has his chance though it isn't a golden one as the balls are lying awkwardly.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding doing his best to throw Judd a lifeline in this 10th frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

A fluked pink for Trump and we have a black ball frame. Key frame now.

[CaledonianCraig]

Sloppy from Trump and Ding gleefully pots the black to lead 7-3.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Mark Allen has hoovered up all four frames of this session so far and has hauled it back to 7-5. How will Wilson respond?

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump in with a chance in this 11th frame. He could really do with a one visit clearance here.

[CaledonianCraig]

A break of 70 seals the frame for Trump and he now trails Ding 7-4.

[CaledonianCraig]

Kyren Wilson has stopped the rot and seals his first frame of the evening and leads 8-5. On the other table, Ding has a 42 point lead but Trump has tactical edge in safety battle.

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump nibbling away at Ding's lead and this frame is now anybody's as another safety battle breaks out.

[CaledonianCraig]

Cracking plant from Ding and it enables him to go on to take the frame and takes an 8-4 lead into their mid-session interval. Trump treading water somewhat.

[Guest]

Trump out of sorts in the 13th frame.  Scrappy frame.

Ps: it makes me wonder whether the tables are still not playing as expected. Positional play seems to be difficult.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hmm the table Trump is playing on has been the troublesome one but it has pkayed far better today so dont see that as an excuse. His all-round play has been sub-standard. Has had chances galore but not scored heavily enough and played sloppy dhots at key times. Ding now leads 9-4.

[Guest]

Ding seemed to have an extra bounce just now in the 14th frame.  If you can't trust the table the confidence will disappear.  Trump's head seems to have gone but now he has a chance ... now a dodgy black.

Ps The rest play has been painful. A bit like the golfing yips.

Intriguing to watch but also painful to watch.

[CaledonianCraig]

I really wouldn't blame Trump's erratic play on the table -the troubles lie more within. It is something that has always been there with Trump and it is tearing its head again here. He needs to knuckle down now and win these last two frames now as he presently trsils 9-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding and Trump are both dynamic players but they have something missing from their lockers. Hard matchplay snooker mentality. It could very well prevent them from ever winning a world title.

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