World Snooker Championship 2021

1st Round Draw:

Ronnie O’Sullivan (1) vs Mark Joyce
Ricky Walden vs Anthony McGill (16)
Ding Junhui (9) vs Stuart Bingham
Jamie Jones vs Stephen Maguire (8)

John Higgins (5) vs Tian Pengfei
Sam Craigie vs Mark Williams (12)
Mark Allen (13) vs Lyu Haotian
Kurt Maflin vs Mark Selby (4)

Neil Robertson (3) vs Liang Wenbo
Ali Carter vs Jack Lisowski (14)
Barry Hawkins (11) vs Matthew Selt
Gary Wilson vs Kyren Wilson (6)

Shaun Murphy (7) vs Mark Davis
Martin Gould vs Yan Bingtao (10)
David Gilbert (15) vs Chris Wakelin
Liam Highfield vs Judd Trump (2)

As far as predictions go, I'm going for a O'Sullivan-Trump final, with O'Sullivan lifting the trophy again.

Such a scrappy opening frame in the Ronnie match. Nervous start from Joyce, in particular

Ronnie or Robertson for the title, for me. Both been in great form.

From what I saw, it was pretty scrappy and inconsistent play by both Joyce and O'Sullivan, but the latter's probably done enough as he leads 6-3 after the first session.

Feel sympathy for Joyce. He started trying to qualify for the World Championships in 2003. He lost in the qualifying stages 17 times in a row, incredible really, before making it to the Crucible for the first time this year...and he gets drawn against the defending champion first up!

Quality from O'Sullivan this evening. 10-4 victor, McGill or Walden up next.

Higgins in trouble - 4-7 down against Tian Pengfei. Saw a bit of Tian during the qualifiers, and not massively surprised that he's leading here...now just a matter of whether he can get over the line.

No, Tian is struggling to get over the line, as Higgins rattles off five straight frames to go 9-7 up. Tian had chances to win three of those five, but actually properly bottled it, while Higgins is well off his vintage best. Game nearly over, but they'll need to go into an impromptu third session to finish it off.

Thriller between Ding & Bingham. Currently 9-9

Diabolical miss from Bingham from the D.

Bingham wins 10-9 against Ding

Another year gone by for Ding

Just isn't good enough to win a world title.

Ronnie in trouble? McGill's taken six frames in a row - the final three yesterday, the first three today - to overturn a 1-4 deficit and take a 7-4 lead.

Make that 8-4 McGill. He's been potting brilliantly in that mini-session. Ronnie needs at least three of the next four frames, otherwise it's going to be a mammoth task going into the evening session later.

2-2 in the mini-session, Ronnie taking a potentially pivotal final frame to leave it at 6-10, not 5-11. His chances hanging only by a few threads - we saw some good comebacks from him last year, he'll need another one tonight.

McGill was top-quality for the most part, and it was an ultra-fast session, with 8 frames being concluded in under 2 hours.

Tall order to turn this around. Ronnie needs the first two frames tonight, otherwise he'll just give up. Heard McManus saying something like the 10-6 deficit at this stage hasn't been overturned since 2005, when Ebdon did it to O'Sullivan.

Robertson 9-7 Lisowski
Hawkins 4-4 Wilson
Williams 5-3 Higgins

Ronnie wins first three frames

10-9 to McGill

10-10

Ronnie wins all four frames

Some scintillating stuff from Ronnie in that mini-session - especially that first pot in the first frame of the night to get the comeback going. McGill's noticeably tightened up and is nowhere close to the high level he displayed this morning.

13-12 win for McGill

Fair play to McGill, that's a top scalp, and a great way to get over his final-frame heartbreak last year. He showed tremendous resilience to get over the line after Ronnie played some quality stuff to get himself back into the lead.

Great match and it opens up one half of the draw.

Poor from Ronnie in the final frame, handed victory to McGill on a platter.

Soul Requiem wrote:Poor from Ronnie in the final frame, handed victory to McGill on a platter.

Or he bottled it?

As JP says all you want in that last frame is a chance. He had his and blew it. McGill got his and took it with a great clearance. Delighted for him if only for silencing the moronic fans yelling out as the players came out clearing shouting out aggressively: 'Send him home Ronnie' and something about back to Glasgow. Just nasty.

Credit to Ronnie (maybe that is why he does not like fans) as he lauded McGill and said he fully deserved the win.

And, finally, how many frames did McGill hand on a platter to Ronnie but that gets washed over as brilliant Ronnie.

Bombing the final frame is a bit different to bombing frame 16 for instance, not even vaguely comparable. It's a shame for the tournament as a whole, McGill is a solid all rounder but is generally a bit dull to watch.

Soul Requiem wrote:Bombing the final frame is a bit different to bombing frame 16 for instance, not even vaguely comparable. It's a shame for the tournament as a whole, McGill is a solid all rounder but is generally a bit dull to watch.

Dull to watch in my books equates to unappreciative of snooker in general. 'Bombing' is wrong term - bottling it more apt. Bombing I equate to not trying.

Higgins getting hammered - currently 3-10 down to a smooth Mark Williams. Not a surprise given how poor Higgins looked in the first round.

Robertson on the verge of getting through v Lisowski. Expected result, though I hope it all comes together one day for Lisowski who can be a brilliant player to watch.

I am fully entitled to find someone dull to watch. It has nothing to do with being unappreciative of snooker.

In other news Mark Williams is in blinding form dominating Higgins.

Soul Requiem wrote:I am fully entitled to find someone dull to watch. It has nothing to do with being unappreciative of snooker.

In other news Mark Williams is in blinding form dominating Higgins.

Of course it is - fanboyism in other words. When Ronnie goes you go. I have watched snooker through the ages and appreciate many different types of players over decades with many different admirable qualities.

Williams looking superb for sure. Really in the groove and Higgins all over the place. You feel if Mark wins one of the last two frames to lead 11-5 it is job done.

I'm still watching in fact and has nothing to do with O'Sullivan, strange comment. Mark Williams in full flow is the player I enjoy most while I have a lot of admiration for Hawkins who lives locally to me.

Yeah, always feared Ronnie would do the hard work, then get carried away, and would then throw it away. Was dominating every aspect of the match, and should of just reigned in on that red/blue combo, and played the safety shot. Would of been only a matter of time before McGill made another mistake, given he was in pieces, and mentally shot.

As for the Championship, Ronnie isn't the only draw, but he's the biggest fish, and by far, the best entertainer. Any Championship is poorer, and duller, without him.

I don't see any of McGill, Jones or Bingham, troubling Selby or Williams in a SF. In the bottom half, it looks like one from Robertson, Bingtao or Trump

That opening red from Williams in that 76 break was so good it should come with a warning.

Goes on to complete a mightily impressive 13-7 victory, his single ball potting is still second to none. In the longer format I cannot imagine anyone wants to face him on this form. He or Selby are my early picks.

Williams looked in fantastic form. He'll really fancy his chances from here, especially with Ronnie out of the way.

No surprise to see Higgins knocked out, he was struggling massively and should have been beaten by Tian in the first round.

Yan having a mare tonight

Not particularly unexpected, Murphy is a seasoned long distance player whereas Bingtao has only ever won two matches at the crucible. Makes a big difference.

Duty281 wrote:Williams looked in fantastic form. He'll really fancy his chances from here, especially with Ronnie out of the way.

No surprise to see Higgins knocked out, he was struggling massively and should have been beaten by Tian in the first round.

He'd have fancied his chances regardless. Lets remember Ronnie has won nitto, nada this season since he won last year at the Crucible so his form hasn't been stellar. Agreed aboutHiggins. His First Round showing alone showed he was not in the form needed to beat an in-form Mark Williams who (like Mark Selby) will be eyeing a fourth world title now.

Yan Bingtao was disappointing. He needed to win the next session to get back into the match but at the mo he is like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

Someone who gets to five ranking finals, won the World Championship about eight months ago, and knocked in three centuries in the opening round is obviously someone in good form. But that wasn't really my main point, which was that Ronnie has a vastly superior H2H record over Williams (33-12), including winning all five games they've played at the Crucible, which indicates a strong mental hold.

Trump coming back well. 1-3 down, back to 3-3 with a century.

Top drawer stuff between Allen & Selby.

Duty281 wrote:Someone who gets to five ranking finals, won the World Championship about eight months ago, and knocked in three centuries in the opening round is obviously someone in good form. But that wasn't really my main point, which was that Ronnie has a vastly superior H2H record over Williams (33-12), including winning all five games they've played at the Crucible, which indicates a strong mental hold.

Trump coming back well. 1-3 down, back to 3-3 with a century.

Fair enough. However, H2H's are by no means an indication of how a match will go as McGill had lost all six of his matches against O'Sullivan. Trump will come through now at 11-5 up and Bingham looks set for a QF match-up against Anthony McGill. He leads Jamie Jones 10-6. Selvy V Allen could be a late nighter tonight as the still have potentially ten frames to play tonight. Selby, I reckon has the better tactical nous and all-round matchplay to get him over the line perhaps 13-10.

Bingham comfortably beats Jamie Jones 13-6 to set up a QF with Anthony McGill. Trump on the verge of victory leading Dave Gilbert 12-7. Looks like being a very brief afternoon session.

Thought Selby was 10-6 up, but no only 9-6, must be a slow-ish game thus far. 9-6 is a reversible deficit for Allen provided he resumes sharply.

12-7 Selby. Well this one's over. Onto the quarters.

Impressive performance against Yan from Shaun Murphy, who is perhaps going under the radar a little - and I don't think he'll mind that one bit.

I've always thought Murphy could win a second world title one day (in part because, in winning it at such a young age in 2005, he guaranteed himself plenty of other chances to do it again), on the condition that the draw would have to open up for him. I think he is on the right side of the draw to make it a possibility this year - he's the underdog against Trump, but Trump's game will suit him more than that of a Selby, Williams or Bingham on the other side. His safety game isn't reliable enough to get through the other half but he's better suited to playing Trump, Robertson, Wilson etc.

I don't think he'll win it, but interesting that nobody is really mentioning him even as a relative outsider. He blows hot and cold but there have been some reminders in his first two matches what a classy player he is when in full flow. Saunters around the table and hits the white like a dream.

Based on everyone's first couple of matches, Robertson and Selby look the standouts. Trump has done it in patches but hasn't consistently shown top form. But then again, he didn't show top form in his first couple of matches in 2019 either, and we all know what he went on to do there.

Selby was seriously impressive, not seen him play that for a long time if ever. The deep screw red down the cushion in the final frame is probably shot of the tournament so far.

Four very good QFs set up, the stand-out being Williams-Selby.

Backing McGill, Robertson, Williams and Trump to get through, but this tournament likes to surprise.

88Chris05 wrote:Impressive performance against Yan from Shaun Murphy, who is perhaps going under the radar a little - and I don't think he'll mind that one bit.

I've always thought Murphy could win a second world title one day (in part because, in winning it at such a young age in 2005, he guaranteed himself plenty of other chances to do it again), on the condition that the draw would have to open up for him. I think he is on the right side of the draw to make it a possibility this year - he's the underdog against Trump, but Trump's game will suit him more than that of a Selby, Williams or Bingham on the other side. His safety game isn't reliable enough to get through the other half but he's better suited to playing Trump, Robertson, Wilson etc.

I don't think he'll win it, but interesting that nobody is really mentioning him even as a relative outsider. He blows hot and cold but there have been some reminders in his first two matches what a classy player he is when in full flow. Saunters around the table and hits the white like a dream.

Based on everyone's first couple of matches, Robertson and Selby look the standouts. Trump has done it in patches but hasn't consistently shown top form. But then again, he didn't show top form in his first couple of matches in 2019 either, and we all know what he went on to do there.

Murphy really does flatter to deceive though. He tends to break down too much on breaks of 40 or 50. Against a lot of players it will prove a little too much a lead to overturn but the top notch players will hoover up chances he leaves. Gilbert had lots of chances and lost frames he should have won so for me Murphy will be an also ran until he cuts out the annoying but consistent misses. In order of chances I'd put it like this (strongest chances first):- Selby, Trump, Roberston, Williams, McGill, Murphy, Wilson and Bingham.

McGill 4-4 with Bingham at the end of session one. McGill will be ecstatic with that score-line, as he was struggling with rhythm and could have conceivably been 1-7 down, having only been in complete control for just the one frame.

Looks like being 5-3 to the Australian on the other table.

Flashes of brilliance mixed with some surprising errors in the Murphy-Trump match. I think Trump will be slightly happier with the 4-4 score line. Murphy lost a couple of frames which he seemed to be in command of and might be lamenting that he hasn't come away with a lead. Good response in the final frame to shore things back up, though.

@Caledonian, re: Murphy. Yes I agree that's always been his main weakness and the reason why he hasn't won another world title or won other ranking events as regularly as his contemporaries such as Selby and Robertson, despite him bursting on the scene a little earlier than they did. Even if he is on a hot streak and showing a more clinical edge, his safety and tactical game is still a little short of some of the other top players, hence why I said it was vital that he ended up on the 'right' side of the draw if he was ever going to win at the Crucible again.

As Trump isn't quite firing on all cylinders just yet I really think this is at least half a chance for him to make another run at the trophy. Let's not forget he's made two more finals since he won it all those years ago. He isn't quite good enough to come through two matches against really astute tactical players over three / four sessions or whatever, but he might just be good enough to get past one of them if he doesn't have to meet them until the final, where anything can happen.

Needs to take advantage of Trump's slightly sub-par form so far though, and hope that Wilson comes through against Robertson I suspect. I can't see how Selby fails to make the final from here though, given how he's starting to turn the screw more and more as the tournament progresses, and he would be a nightmare for Murphy in the final. Realistically I think Trump is the only guy who could beat Selby over four sessions, assuming Williams can't mount a comeback.

88Chris05 wrote:

Realistically I think Trump is the only guy who could beat Selby over four sessions, assuming Williams can't mount a comeback.

I agree with this. Selby looking very strong at present in all departments. He is sniffing a fourth world title.

Just looked at Binghams career record, his title win in 2015 is the only time he's progressed past the quarter finals. This is only his third quarter final appearance.

Cracking session between Bingham and McGill last night. In the eight frames there were three centuries (1 from Bingham and 2 from McGill) plus two breaks in the 90s, one in the 80s and two in the 70s. An array of great shots with the long potting from McGill something to behold rubbishing this boring tag. McGill leads 9-7. It outshone action on the other table between Robertson and Wilson where Wilson battled back to 8-8 in a nervy affair.

McGill can be a bit dry to watch, but his grit and tenacity is infectious, and somewhat reminiscent of Higgins.

Three of the QFs are very well balanced. Selby-Williams is currently a bit one-sided, but if the Welshman can win the morning session it'll set up a tantalising evening. Seemed as though Williams was taking everything on in the first session, but not a lot was dropping for him or going his way.

CaledonianCraig wrote:Cracking session between Bingham and McGill last night. In the eight frames there were three centuries (1 from Bingham and 2 from McGill) plus  two breaks in the 90s, one in the 80s and two in the 70s. An array of great shots with the long potting from McGill something to behold rubbishing this boring tag. McGill leads 9-7. It outshone action on the other table between Robertson and Wilson where Wilson battled back to 8-8 in a nervy affair.

One session doesn't alter my opinion of him.