The real World Snooker Championship 2020 thread

[stavros]

Following on from what didn't take place in April-May, the WCs started properly today. From what I saw earlier Trump was making hard work of seeing off Tom Ford, and he still needs two frames.

Neil Robertson's made strides up the rankings this year, so he'll be worth watching.

 

[stavros]

I wasn't really watching it, because of the Cup final, but Ding looked like he made proper meal of dispatching King.

It was interesting that Hendry described Ding as "in the top two or three break-builders ever". If we presume that O'Sullivan is top, he seems to be ranking Ding alongside himself, which is very heavy praise.

 

[stavros]

Is no one else watching this? We normally get a decent turn-out for the snooker threads.

Watching O'Sullivan is better without the crowd, especially when he rattles of six frames inside an hour. That said, Thepchaiya did produce a beautiful positional shot at one point, going off five cushions and landing perfectly on his chosen red.

We also had Taylor and Davis musing on who was the second fastest maximum maker ever. Taylor suggested, jokingly, Cliff Thorburn, to which Davis replied that he'd taken four minutes over the break-off shot.

 

[stavros]

Just me then.

I don't where Hazel is. Seema Jaswal seems to be presenting a lot of it. No sign of Virgo either.

 

[blairsh]

Not just you, just busy.

 

[MBV]

Have caught some of this. Was enjoying the King v Ding match but they ended the programme before it concluded.

 

[DotCommunist]

I knew this was on but didn't find the time. Just tuned in to see the hated murphy having a hard time against
saengkham.

 

[stavros]

I knew this was on but didn't find the time. Just tuned in to see the hated murphy having a hard time against
saengkham.

Murphy's the first big name to fall.

 

[Argonia]

Rocket looking good

 

[blairsh]

Mark Allen out to Jamie Clarke and Maguire out to Martin 'new gigs' Gould

 

[DotCommunist]

Mark Allen out to Jamie Clarke and Maguire out to Martin 'new gigs' Gould

cracking game as well. I'm looking forward to seeing the ding osullivan rematch and and mcgill vs whoever.

 

[blairsh]

cracking game as well. I'm looking forward to seeing the ding osullivan rematch and and mcgill vs whoever.

It was. I was fucking knackered, such is the way when I find myself lucky enough to be afforded a brilliant match.

Ding v O'Sullivan should be cracking, they generally deliver in head to heads plus no screeching "comonronneh!" nob 'eads to annoy.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Ding O'Sullivan worthy of the final. I think I'll quietly fancy Ding to win the whole thing if he wins that.

Williams Bingham potentially tasty as well.

 

[blairsh]

Ding hasn't been at his finest for a bit, but would be nice if he bought it to this World Championship and if he did would be a very worthy winner plus it would mean he'd won the triple crown

 

[littlebabyjesus]

My question mark against O'Sullivan nowadays is whether he has the stamina to win the WC. He's more likely to win the Masters nowadays. Maybe no crowd, no support, less emotion might actually help him?

 

[stavros]

My question mark against O'Sullivan nowadays is whether he has the stamina to win the WC. He's more likely to win the Masters nowadays. Maybe no crowd, no support, less emotion might actually help him?

They've been musing on that in the commentary booth.

I've always had a soft spot for Ding, for some reason. It may stem for the epic semi final he and Trump had in 2011 (how prescient - Trump taking it to the Chinese).

The first half of Bingham-Williams this evening was pretty dreadful, enlivened only by the odd couple of Davis and Taylor on commentary. When one frame went to a respotted black they started reminiscing about 1985 again.

 

[Mr.Bishie]

I see Higgins has just made a maximum.

 

[maomao]

I see Higgins has just made a maximum.

Bet the prize money for that is nothing compared to what he got for throwing the frame before it.

 

[DotCommunist]

so how is the applause button working, For clarke v allen the was applause which must be from a button but other matches have none

 

[stavros]

so how is the applause button working, For clarke v allen the was applause which must be from a button but other matches have none

I'm not sure. What I do know is that it sounds awful if you hear the canned applause from the other table from the game you're watching.

I'm not watching it, and it is best of 25, but Yan is 5-2 up against Trump.

 

[blairsh]

Anyone watching this evenings session?

 

[blairsh]

COME ON MAFLIN!

 

[DotCommunist]

best of three then, lets see the cheat higgins go out

 

[blairsh]

Anyone watching Ding v Ronnie?

 

[blairsh]

Ronnie in the 6th frame?...

 

[blairsh]

Ronnie v ding second session anyone?

 

[Mr.Bishie]

8 a piece yet?

 

[blairsh]

8 a piece yet?

Yep

 

[blairsh]

Proper thriller!

 

[stavros]

In frames 5-8 this afternoon Ding got three terrible pieces of luck. He clipped the blue on a safety shot back to baulk and went in off; a red crept in when he broke the pack off the blue; and then he did the classic Hendry split from the blue and landed on nothing.

O'Sullivan played very well, with some horrendously careless shots thrown in. I'm not sure he was fully there this afternoon.

Anyway, best of nine tomorrow night.