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.....

[Hammersmith harrier]

Trump is like a far less talented Jimmy White, he can play sensational shots but will never regularly win things because his safety play is pretty shoddy.

[Guest]

I wanted to congratulate Ding for clearing the colours but he has gone and missed the pink.  Now Trump has got the snooker and this frame continues.

Trump could have asked him to replay the snooker but now he loses that frame ...

[CaledonianCraig]

No joy for Trump. Ding leads 10-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

It is weird watching this pair. They have every shot in the book but they just don't strike me as having that mental aptitude and spplication to win the title. Matchplay snooker is a quality needed which this pair seem to ignore.

[Cardiff Dave]

Ding concedes a frame, but Trump refuses and plays on. The end of sesh handshake was telling too. Some niggle here I reckon. Excellent!

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding concedes a frame, but Trump refuses and plays on. The end of sesh handshake was telling too. Some niggle here I reckon. Excellent!

Yes and I detected needle in pre-match comments from Judd. Think he said he felt he'd win as he believes he can whereas Ding doesn't. Not sure where it has come from but certainly seems to be needle there.

[Cardiff Dave]

Ding concedes a frame, but Trump refuses and plays on. The end of sesh handshake was telling too. Some niggle here I reckon. Excellent!

Yes and I detected needle in pre-match comments from Judd. Think he said he felt he'd win as he believes he can whereas Ding doesn't. Not sure where it has come from but certainly seems to be needle there.

Sure Ding put his cue down on the table and conceded, but had to pick it up again coz stroppy, I-can-hit-the ball-really-hard, Strumpy declined the offer. Never seen a player do that before.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding concedes a frame, but Trump refuses and plays on. The end of sesh handshake was telling too. Some niggle here I reckon. Excellent!

Yes and I detected needle in pre-match comments from Judd. Think he said he felt he'd win as he believes he can whereas Ding doesn't. Not sure where it has come from but certainly seems to be needle there.

Sure Ding put his cue down on the table and conceded, but had to pick it up again coz stroppy, I-can-hit-the ball-really-hard, Strumpy declined the offer. Never seen a player do that before.

I'd say that was a retort to Ding earlier playing on in a really impossible position needed four snookers or something with only a few balls left on the table. Commentators felt it was a deliberate ploy to break up Trump's rhythm which I thought was odd as he had none anyway yesterday.

[CaledonianCraig]

No play at The Crucible this morning by the way as per schedule.

This afternoon sees Kyren Wilson resume on the verge of a QF spot as he leads Mark Allen 11-5. On the other table, Judd Trump is staring down both barrels as he trails Ding Junhui 10-6.

[CaledonianCraig]

For Trump to stage a comeback this afternoon You feel he must win three of the first four frames (at least) before the mid-session interval. Anything less and he will be sent packing.

[CaledonianCraig]

Poor safety from Trump lets Ding in for the first chance of the day. Judd should seek out Terry Griffiths or Ray Reardon for tips on strategy/safety play.

[CaledonianCraig]

On the other table, Mark Allen wins the opening frame of the day in one visit but he still trails 11-6.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding with a 65 break puts him in command of the frame. Trump really could do with stealing this frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

Is that the spark that ignites the blue touchpaper? Trump clears with a break of 70 to pinch the frame and pulls it back to 10-7. That will hurt.

[CaledonianCraig]

Allen pilfers another frame with a century break and he hauls it back to 11-7.Trump gets a good chance but breaks down on 37 and Ding now at the table and on a break that is taking him close to the winning line.

[CaledonianCraig]

That will help repair the mental scars as Ding hits a break of 72 and makes it 11-7.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding in again and on a sizeable break -this match is drifting away from Judd Trump. It could be over before the mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

A break of 91 for Ding and he leads 12-7 - one frame away from the QF.

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump rode his luck in that frame but a break of 61 keeps him in the tournament. Ding leads 12-8 at the mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

Mark Allen pinches another frame from under Kyren Wilson's nose and cuts the deficit to 11-8. This match isn't over yet.

[CaledonianCraig]

Allen with a 60 point lead looks hot favourite to reduce his arrears to 11-9 at the mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

Allen does indeed take the frame and Kyren Wilson leads 11-9.

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump opens frame 21 with a break of 56 before breaking down. Ding now in with a good chance to seal the match here.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding spurns the opportunity though but Trump can't take a half chance and Ding back in again.

[CaledonianCraig]

After a small bout of safety it is Trump who emerges from it to look odds on to take the frame. Ding still leads 12-9.

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump reels off another frame. This could get twitchy for Ding.

[CaledonianCraig]

No dream comebacks this afternoon. Ding beats Trump 13-10 and Wilson beats Allen 13-9.

[VTR]

The quarter final draw is taking shape then:

McManus vs Higgins/Walden
Ding vs Williams
Fu vs Hawkins/O'Sullivan
Wilson vs Selby

If O'Sullivan loses to Hawkins then it looks wide open

[CaledonianCraig]

The quarter final draw is taking shape then:

McManus vs Higgins/Walden
Ding vs Williams
Fu vs Hawkins/O'Sullivan
Wilson vs Selby

If O'Sullivan loses to Hawkins then it looks wide open

Hmm not so sure about that. Ronnie wasn't overly brilliant in his first match losing seven frames and here he has already lost nine against Hawkins. I'd certainly agree if he had coasted through both these matches but he hasn't. I'd say he is a hot favourite to reach the semis at least as Fu was patchy in the last round. Selby (if it is him) in the semis could be very interesting. Selby has beaten Ronnie at The Crucible, is the world No.1 and has the matchplay game to trouble Ronnie.

[CaledonianCraig]

Tonight sees the Second Round draw to a close. Barry Hawkins resumes 9-7 ahead of Ronnie O'Sullivan and for me it is all about whether Ronnie can draw level in this match. If he can I think he will win. Very interestingly poised. On the other table, John Higgins leads Ricky Walden 10-6. Ricky need to win three of the first four frames this evening - if not I see no way back for him.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie quick off the mark tonight and capitalises on Hawkins poor run of the balls with a 93 break to seal the frame. Hawkins lead reduced to 9-8. On the other table, Higgins has a big lead and looks set to go 11-6 ahead.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ricky Walden looks set to pull a frame back against Higgins. On the other table Ronnie holds a lead but with one red left on the table a chance comes Barry's way to pinch the frame. Acid test of The Hawk's nerve.

[CaledonianCraig]

And his nerve breaks with a poor positional shot. Ronnie to clear up?

[CaledonianCraig]

Cracking safety from Ronnie and he is now warm favourite to draw level at 9-9.

[Guest]

big frame for Ronnie to get I feel

[CaledonianCraig]

Walden takes the frame but still trails 11-7.

[CaledonianCraig]

big frame for Ronnie to get I feel

I agree.

[Guest]

Hawkins should take that 10-8

[CaledonianCraig]

That is a big steal for Hawkins. He takes the frame and goes into a 10-8 lead.

[Guest]

Must win for Ronnie this frame, for me.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins misses a red on a break of 26 and Ronnie pounces with a cracking little break. Hawkins lead reduced to 10-9. On the other table Ricky Walden looking set to pull another frame back to trail 11-8.

[Guest]

Mistake punished by Ronnie. 10-9 to Hawkins

[CaledonianCraig]

Now the next frame becomes must win for Hawkins I feel. As log as he can keep his nose head I feel he stays in control.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins misses again - is the pressure beginning to tell?

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie in but just loses prime position and misses a tough black. Hawkins has to take this chance to re-assert himself you think.

[Guest]

Nerves setting in now

[CaledonianCraig]

Scrappy frame this. These are the sort of frames Hawkins has to win. If Ronnie takes this to draw level Ronnie becomes a warm favourite.

[CaledonianCraig]

This frame has now become massive. Hawkins cracking you feel but Ronnie also struggling.

[Guest]

11-9 Hawkins

[CaledonianCraig]

From somewhere Hawkins summons a break of44 to seal a critical frame for him and he heads into the mid-session interval leading 11-9.

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