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]

John Higgins on the brink of the QF's now as he leads Ricky Walden 12-8.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins in with a good chance first in the 21st frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

A cracking break of 94 under pressure from Hawkins and he takes the frame to lead 12-9. Hawkins on the brink of his first win over Ronnie for 14 years.

[temporary21]

Neither really playing all that well. Hawkins is scrapping very well though.

[CaledonianCraig]

John Higgins seals his QF spot with a 13-8 win over Ricky Walden. On the other table Ronnie looking good to take this frame and haul it back to 12-10.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie hits a century and it is 12-10 to Hawkins. Will that shake Barry's resolve?

[CaledonianCraig]

Now then. Ronnie on a max.

[Guest]

This is brilliant, cmon Ronnie. 12-11

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie breaks down on 12th red with 11 blacks but more importantly he is now back to 12-11 behind.

[Guest]

Shocking blue, ronnie

[CaledonianCraig]

The Hawk has a chance. His first for a few frames.

[CaledonianCraig]

This is getting tense. Hawkins only made 14 from that and now we have a safety exchange.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins forces a mistake from Ronnie and has another chance.

[CaledonianCraig]

Oooh a kick ruins his position and looks like Ronnie will get another chance.

[Guest]

Ronnie is back in business

[CaledonianCraig]

Cruel blow for Hawkins. Ronnie mops up and we have a final frame decider and Ronnie goes favourite.

[Guest]

ITS 12-12!!!!!!

[CaledonianCraig]

The morons are in the crowd again. What tubes.

[CaledonianCraig]

Very scrappy now. Next player in wins.

[Guest]

Advantage Hawkins

[CaledonianCraig]

The Hawk wins the safety battle and this is a chance to put a hefty score on the board. Can't see him winning at this visit though.

[CaledonianCraig]

A break of 56 from Hawkins was admirable there. That took guts and composure. Ronnie up against it.

[Guest]

Looks over from here

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie in with a sniff.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ronnie in off and The Hawk has the match at his mercy.

[CaledonianCraig]

Barry Hawkins beats Ronnie 13-12 - his first win over The Rocket for 14 years. The Rocket and Judd Trump exit on the same day.

[temporary21]

Thats a brilliant last frame from Hawkins, real bottle.
Ronnie going is a shame, but I wont miss the crowd clapping and cheering every easy shot

[CaledonianCraig]

The Quarter-Final line-up is as follows:-

Alan McManus vs John Higgins
Ding Junhui vs Mark Williams
Marco Fu vs Barry Hawkins
Kyren Wilson vs Mark Selby

[CaledonianCraig]

Thats a brilliant last frame from Hawkins, real bottle.
Ronnie going is a shame, but I wont miss the crowd clapping and cheering every easy shot

I'd place a little electric shock device in the chairs in the audience and gleefully set it off for the 'Come on Ronnie' brigade whenever a player misses - terrible sportsmanship and very fanboyish. Also shock for those that don't switch their phones off.

[CaledonianCraig]

The Quarter-Final line-up is as follows:-

Alan McManus vs John Higgins
Ding Junhui vs Mark Williams
Marco Fu vs Barry Hawkins
Kyren Wilson vs Mark Selby

From that last eight I'd say it is between past winners Mark Williams, John Higgins and Mark Selby with Hawkins also in with a big shout (if this match hasn't drained him too much). Wilson looks like one for the future but not this year.

[Guest]

John Higgins could match Ronnie with five World Championships.

[CaledonianCraig]

John Higgins could match Ronnie with five World Championships.

Indeed. Or Mark Williams could win a third world title or Mark Selby a second world title.

[VTR]

I struggle to pick a winner out of that lot. I would rank them as follows:

No chance: Angles, Fu, Williams
Unknown quantities: Ding and Wilson (Ding because I doubt his mental strength, Wilson as he is going into uncharted territory but does look good)
Proven Matchplayers: Higgins, Selby, Hawkins

I'd like to see Ding win it, but my head says a Higgins vs Selby final is on the cards

[CaledonianCraig]

I struggle to pick a winner out of that lot. I would rank them as follows:

No chance: Angles, Fu, Williams
Unknown quantities: Ding and Wilson (Ding because I doubt his mental strength, Wilson as he is going into uncharted territory but does look good)
Proven Matchplayers: Higgins, Selby, Hawkins

I'd like to see Ding win it, but my head says a Higgins vs Selby final is on the cards

I cannot disagree with much of that at all. If Hawkins can reproduce the form he showed against Ronnie then I'd tip him to beat Selby who has looked shaky so far - should they meet in the semis.

[CaledonianCraig]

The QF's get underway this morning with the following matches:-

Kyren Wilson (Eng) v Mark Selby (Eng)

Ding Junhui (Chn) v Mark Williams (Wal)

[VTR]

I struggle to pick a winner out of that lot. I would rank them as follows:

No chance: Angles, Fu, Williams
Unknown quantities: Ding and Wilson (Ding because I doubt his mental strength, Wilson as he is going into uncharted territory but does look good)
Proven Matchplayers: Higgins, Selby, Hawkins

I'd like to see Ding win it, but my head says a Higgins vs Selby final is on the cards

I cannot disagree with much of that at all. If Hawkins can reproduce the form he showed against Ronnie then I'd tip him to beat Selby who has looked shaky so far - should they meet in the semis.

Yeah I would not be surprised if Hawkins made it to the final. Selby has not been great so far, just doing to get through really and has had a fairly poor season. Despite that he has the mental strength to pull out results, if he and Hawkins do meet in the semis I certainly expect a very close match

[VTR]

As for today's matches, if Ding and Selby get ahead early, either 6-2 or 5-3 I would not be surprised to see them blow their opponents away

[CaledonianCraig]

A scrappy first frame s won by Mark Williams and he leads Ding 1-0. On the other table, Kyren Wilson has a chance to pinch the first frame against Mark Selby.

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby takes the first frame. I don't think that match will be easy for him for two reasons. Wilson looks a real prospect and Selby has looked vulnerable so far in this tournamemt.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding settles into a good rhythm and with a 50+ break takes the second frame and it is 1-1. On the other table Selby has points on the board but Wilson is at the table and in with a decent chance to steal the frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding scoring heavier when in and looks set to take the third frame. Selby on the brink of going 2-0 up.

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby wins a scrappy second frame and leads 2-0. Ding also leads 2-1 (unless Williams gets a snooker).

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby growing in strength now and on a big break. 3-0 looks on the cards.

[CaledonianCraig]

Mark Williams with a break of 70 gets another frame on the board. 2-2 at the mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

Selby taking control and leads 3-0.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Selby in again with a big break. Playing himself into form at the right time and leads 4-0 at the mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ding capitalises on Williams error and leads 3-2.

[CaledonianCraig]

So this morning has seen Ding build a very handy 6-2 lead over Mark Williams and likewise, Mark Selby 6-2 ahead against Kyren Wilson.

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins takes the first frame but McManus strikes back with a superb century - 1-1. Marco Fu off to a flier against Barry Hawkins and leads 2-0.

[CaledonianCraig]

Soon to be 3-0 to Marco. Barry suffering from a hangover after his big win last night.

[Sponsored content]