2019 World Snooker Championship Thread

[CaledonianCraig]

First topic message reminder :

The Crucible is alive again to the sound of cues smashing into the cueball for the 2019 Snooker World Championship.

On Day One the champion Mark Williams got off to a steady start to lead Martin Gould 6-3. Ding Junhui also leads 6-3 against Anthony McGill and Neil Robertson is home and hosed leading debutant Cypriot Georgiou 9-0.

[B.A. BARACUS]

What a miss from gilbert, just had a feeling he would mess it up after that fantastic red on the cushion, if he loses the match, he will look back on that green as the ball that ruined him

[Duty281]

Blimey. Gilbert breaks off, Higgins knocks in a long red, and goes on to conjure a tournament-high break of 143. Outstanding. No idea where that's come from.

[B.A. BARACUS]

fantastic break from higgins, will be interesting to see if gilbert can respond in kind, i predict he's going to see his lead diminish fairly rapidly during the rest of this session

[B.A. BARACUS]

gilbert looking shaky now, maybe he realises he's nearly blown his chance of turning the screw against a very poor john higgins

[88Chris05]

Great break from Gilbert to go 13-9. Honestly think Higgins needs both of these last two frames to have a chance tomorrow, because I don't see Gilbert tightening up as the finish line approaches.

[Duty281]

Top response with a 91 break. Only four frames from the final.

[Duty281]

And we're back to the usual scrappy standard. But it's a scrap Higgins wins, after a fluked yellow and an awful miss on the pink from Gilbert (who visibly showed his frustration). 13-10.

[88Chris05]

The twenty-third frame was one which neither player deserved to win. Error after error after error. But Higgins eventually nicks it. 13-10 to Gilbert. Still think Higgins needs this last one.

[Duty281]

The old master - what a player. The absolute grit, resolve, cussedness and will-to-win, to grind out five of the last seven frames, despite being well below his best.

I think Higgins is a narrow, 51-49 favourite to take this semi-final. Signs he was getting back to a respectable level of ability in those last four frames, and that Gilbert isn't coping too well with the pressure in this his biggest match of his career.

Both semi-finals fantastically well placed going into tomorrow.

[B.A. BARACUS]

I'm afraid Gilbert looks as if he has missed his chance. He will never get a better opportunity to beat a very very poor john higgins - the commentators can wax lyrical about how higgins has turned this round and is made of steel but the fact is gilbert saw the winning post and bricked it - his break-building has been pathetic at times, i mean he is taking 3/4 chances to put the frames away.

how on earth gilbert has lost that session is beyond me, his opponent played absolute garbage and he still could not capitalize.

unfortunately some players are destined to habitually be also rans and i fear gilbert fits that mould

[B.A. BARACUS]

The old master - what a player. The absolute grit, resolve, cussedness and will-to-win, to grind out five of the last seven frames, despite being well below his best.

I think Higgins is a narrow, 51-49 favourite to take this semi-final. Signs he was getting back to a respectable level of ability in those last four frames, and that Gilbert isn't coping too well with the pressure in this his biggest match of his career.

Both semi-finals fantastically well placed going into tomorrow.

have u been smoking something - 'the old master' he played rubbish, the only reason he is still in this match is because his opponent has been just as poor at crucial times and has spurned countless frame winning opportunities. If he had been playing trump, robertson, ROS, murphy etc in fact any player with a winning mentality, higgins would have had his arse handed to him the way he has played

[Duty281]

The old master did play rubbish for the most part, but his mental game is outstanding.

[B.A. BARACUS]

The old master did play rubbish for the most part, but his mental game is outstanding.

that must be why he missed countless easy pots that even club players could have put away. His mental game was extremely weak today, he just didn't look settled at any time, however he was fortunate that his opponent repeatedly crapped himself when given frame winning opportunities.

They were both poor today and very few frames were won in one visit

[CaledonianCraig]

B A Baracus - Hiigins has that knack of staying in contention in matches even though he 's struggling or a fair bit from his best. It is a trait Ronnie and Judd would kill for it really is.

[No name Bertie]

B A Baracus - Hiigins has that knack of staying in contention in matches even though he 's struggling or a fair bit from his best. It is a trait Ronnie and Judd would kill for it really is.

I was replying to the above when there was a glitch and I lost my comment.   Rather than try to repeat my reasoning - i'll just say that I disagree with the bit in bold - at least for Ronnie - I don't know enough about Judd to properly comment.  With Ronnie it is his way or the high way.  He has improved tactically and has received counselling to help with the mental side - but he seems uninterested in changing the core of his style or immitating another style. In all likelihood O'Sullivan knows what he is good at and probably knows what he is not good at / or capable of. He is just "built differently". Strengths and weaknesses.

[CaledonianCraig]

B A Baracus - Hiigins has that knack of staying in contention in matches even though he 's struggling or a fair bit from his best. It is a trait Ronnie and Judd would kill for it really is.

I was replying to the above when there was a glitch and I lost my comment.   Rather than try to repeat my reasoning - i'll just say that I disagree with the bit in bold - at least for Ronnie - I don't know enough about Judd to properly comment.  With Ronnie it is his way or the high way.  He has improved tactically and has received counselling to help with the mental side - but he seems uninterested in changing the core of his style or immitating another style.  In all likelihood  O'Sullivan knows what he is good at and probably knows what he is not good at / or capable of.  He is just "built differently".  Strengths and weaknesses.

No you are totally missing my point.

John Higgins hangs in there when not at his best, stays competitive in matches and invariably can win matches when a bit below his best. Ronnie is totally different. If he isn't at or near his best we get a kind of domino effect. He gets frustrated or can and does lose interest and loses matches because of it. That is not a criticism of his tactical play more of his mental capacity to play through crisis in his game.

[CaledonianCraig]

So the semis are played to a finish today.

This morning Judd Trump resumes 9-7 up on Gary Wilson as they play their third session. Wilson hanging in there very well to his credit. Like his temperament and fight.

This afternoon sees the David Gilbert V John Higgins semi played to a finish. Higgins has hauled himself back into the match in the second half of yesterday evening's session. He trailed 12-7 but ended the session reducing his arrears to 13-11. He'll need to improve his all-round standard though as Gilbert is playing to a higher and more consistent level so far. Anybody's match now though.

[No name Bertie]

B A Baracus - Hiigins has that knack of staying in contention in matches even though he 's struggling or a fair bit from his best. It is a trait Ronnie and Judd would kill for it really is.

I was replying to the above when ...

No you are totally missing my point.

John Higgins hangs in there when not at his best, stays competitive in matches and invariably can win matches when a bit below his best. Ronnie is totally different. If he isn't at or near his best we get a kind of domino effect. He gets frustrated or can and does lose interest and loses matches because of it. That is not a criticism of his tactical play more of his mental capacity to play through crisis in his game.

Would you say that Ronnie O'Sullivan is in some ways an "idealist" or a "purist" in that he believes in a certain way of playing and if he is unable to achieve that way of playing he gets frustrated?

ps: Is there something called "versatility" that can be used to compare different players? For example if we compare John Higgins with Ronnie O'Sullivan - could it be said that Higgins is more versatile than O'Sullivan?

[CaledonianCraig]

B A Baracus - Hiigins has that knack of staying in contention in matches even though he 's struggling or a fair bit from his best. It is a trait Ronnie and Judd would kill for it really is.

I was replying to the above when ...

No you are totally missing my point.

John Higgins hangs in there when not at his best, stays competitive in matches and invariably can win matches when a bit below his best. Ronnie is totally different. If he isn't at or near his best we get a kind of domino effect. He gets frustrated or can and does lose interest and loses matches because of it. That is not a criticism of his tactical play more of his mental capacity to play through crisis in his game.

Would you say that Ronnie O'Sullivan is in some ways an "idealist" or a "purist" in that he believes in a certain way of playing and if he is unable to achieve that way of playing he gets frustrated?

ps:  Is there something called "versatility" that can be used to compare different players?  For example if we compare John Higgins with Ronnie O'Sullivan - could it be said that Higgins is more versatile than O'Sullivan?

There is no denying Ronnie has an achilles heel. It explains why he is not top of the tree in terms of world title wins. Ronnie is a winning machine when all is well with his game but as soon as things are not so good he lets it get to him in various ways and causes him to lose more matches than the likes of John Higgins in a similar situation. No question Ronnie has the more natural talent but that is not everything in this sport.

Higgins can win playing various styles/types of frames and playing varying standard. Ronnie can but not to as great a degree especially if/when he isn't at his best as it then triggers the old mental demons.

[CaledonianCraig]

Judd Trump making a break for the winning line. He has won the first two frames of the morning. Scrappy frames but for the first time Wilson has looked a little ragged. Trump leads 11-7. Wilson needs this next frame badly.

[No name Bertie]

I was watching a programme with Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan, where they were trying to reproduce some of their famous shots - including Alex Higgins famous shot.  On the whole it seemed to me that Jimmy White tended to be more successful.  I got to thinking, and it seemed to be agreed with the players, that Jimmy White was the more natural player when comparing the two - in that White had a better intuitive feel for shot making - while Ronnie O'Sullivan was more of a thinker and his special talent was in positional play (hence the high breaks and winning frames from a single visit).

[CaledonianCraig]

Another scrappy, bitty frame but from nowhere Wilson plays what must be the shot of the championship. He was in bother and pulled off a superb escape and ended up laying an impossible snooker for Trump to get out of.

[CaledonianCraig]

And minutes later Gary Wilson has his first frame of the session on the board and boy did he need that. He still trails 11-8 though.

[Duty281]

12-8 Trump. Probably foolish to rule out a comeback at this World Championship, but this semi-final looks over.

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump finally shows his potting and break-building talent. He nails a century to stretch his lead to 12-8. And we now have set a record for the most centuries at The Crucible at the World Champioships.

[CaledonianCraig]

Wilson hanging in this match by his fingertips, wins the 21st frame and cuts the deficit 12-9. A boost for him as he was 50-0 down in the frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

Nicely accumulated break from Trump of 67 and he now looks odds on to go 13-9 up. Wilson needs the last two frames of this session you feel.

[CaledonianCraig]

The 23rd frame underway and Wilson in first puts 40 points on the board before breaking down.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Wilson gets another chance and takes it to seal the frame. Trump leads 13-10. The last frame of this session is going to be massive. If Wilson can win it he's right back in the match but should Trump take it he will be hot favourite to reach the final.

[CaledonianCraig]

This final frame has gone scrappy with four reds left on the table. Trump 35 Wilson 14.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Trump will be relieved to take that final frame of the session. He leads 14-10 going into their last session this evening and you feel that could be a telling blow.

[CaledonianCraig]

Starting shortly David Gilbert takes a 13-11 lead into his final session against John Higgins.

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins in with the first chance. Only 20 and Gilbert pounces to pouch the frame with a great clearance of 105. Gilbert leads 14-11.

[Duty281]

Brilliant start from Gilbert. A century break shows no sign of any tension.

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins in again first in the next frame.

[CaledonianCraig]

Only 39 and has to play safe but leaves Gilbert another chance.

[CaledonianCraig]

But Gilbert misses and Higgins builds on his lead.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Higgins takes the frame comfortably in the end. Gilbert leads 14-12.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Higgins opens with another long red and is building again.

[CaledonianCraig]

Only 37 though. What can David Gilbert do now?

[CaledonianCraig]

A great chance missed by Gilbert and has to play safe. Higgins 37 Gilbert 18. Both players have had chances in this frame. You feel this frame is going to be massive.

[CaledonianCraig]

Another chance for Gilbert here. But can't take it.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Higgins seals the frame (barring snookers) and Gilbert's lead looks set to be cut to 14-13.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hold the phone. Higgins playing safe sees white go into pocket. Gilbert can now tie with last red and black and all colours.

[CaledonianCraig]

But Higgins pots a long red and frame over. Gilbert leads 14-13.

[Duty281]

The best Higgins has played all semi-final, admittedly not saying too much! Gilbert starting to look tentative again and often struggling for position.

Closest the game has been, I think, since Gilbert was 4-3 up. Huge final frame before the interval - Higgins either goes in absolutely level and with three frames on the bounce, or two behind just like at the start.

[CaledonianCraig]

Gilbert in first but unluckily goes in off after starting to build a break. Higgins now at the table and trying to build a lead.

[CaledonianCraig]

The best Higgins has played all semi-final, admittedly not saying too much! Gilbert starting to look tentative again and often struggling for position.

Closest the game has been, I think, since Gilbert was 4-3 up. Huge final frame before the interval - Higgins either goes in absolutely level and with three frames on the bounce, or two behind just like at the start.

I think it is important Higgins wins the frame and keeps the momentum rolling.

[CaledonianCraig]

Higgins on a break and looks set to level the match up at 14-14 at the mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

A break of 74 and Higgins does level it up.

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